Virtuoso is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel.
We bring together 20,000 of the world’s most sought-after travel advisors and more than 2,000 elite travel companies, from five-star hotel groups and renowned cruise lines to boutique properties and high-end adventure travel outfitters around the world.
Whether in the pages of Virtuoso Life magazine, on Virtuoso.Com, in e-mail newsletters, or across social media, our goal is to inspire people to travel Virtuoso-style, with the help of a Virtuoso travel advisor and Virtuoso-preferred partners.Position Summary: The Account Director has overall responsibility for achieving departmental goals for Virtuoso Member Agency engagement with Virtuoso products, services, and preferred supplier production by developing and monitoring, in partnership with the Member Agency Owner/Manager, a strategic engagement and growth plan.
This role will be responsible for members in the West region, and should be based in southern California, ideally in the Los Angeles area, although other areas will be considered.Primary Duties & Responsibilities include the following.
Other duties may be assigned.Develop strong member relationships to increase sales and engagement with Virtuoso products and services.Develop and implement, with Agency management, action plans for growth and engagement with VirtuosoCollaborate with Virtuoso colleagues by sharing Member feedback and industry intelligence to improve current programs and strengthen Member relevancy.Achieve performance benchmarks and assigned sales and engagement goals.Participate in company initiatives and on committees, communities and other Virtuoso initiatives as assigned by Director.Manage projects as assigned by the Director, US & Canada Member Relationsand Vice President, Global Member RelationsWork within assigned budget.Increase Member Sales:Educate, advocate for, and train member agency owners, managers, and advisors on relevant Virtuoso products and services to increase engagement.Collaborative and strategic business planning with Agency Owner and Management to develop growth and profitability plans which introduce increased Virtuoso products and services.Act as primary contact for Virtuoso members in assigned region.Professionally represent Virtuoso’s products and services.Provide performance feedback to identify and segment agents/agencies.Develop and implement members’ customized business plans including preferred supplier and client base growth.Ensure member agencies are fully participating in Virtuoso marketing initiatives.Increase travel advisor preferred supplier sales and engagement.
Engage member agencies while appealing to advisors who may currently not be engaged with VirtuosoAct as liaison for travel advisors.Increase the number of travel advisors involved in sales and development programs (Alliances, Communities, Professional Development, Reviews and Recommendations, Virtuoso.Com Lead Generation, Wanderlist, and other and new programs as introduced).Maintain and monitor the health of the existing agency membership base and assist with the growth of the membership.Develop and Maintain Member RelationshipsBuild and maintain relationship with agency owners, managers, and advisors.Create a calendar of sales calls and communication plan with clearly defined and measurable objectives.Record all member meetings, sales calls, phone calls and written communication in CRM system.Execute annual membership investment with agency owners and managementActively engage members through Virtuoso and agency meetings, events, and focus groupsPrepare and present member relevant presentationsEffectively communicate member needs to the Virtuoso organization.Provide Member feedback to Director and to Global Member Partnerships leadership as appropriate.Timely response to both internal and external inquiries and communications.RequirementsBachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.CTA/CTC/CTIE preferred.7-10 years of Travel Industry Sales or Account Management/Customer Service experienceSkills, Abilities, ExperienceProven ability to educate, motivate and sell.Highly motivated and proven ability to thrive in a self-motivated environment, working independently and collaborate with a team.Excellent communication skills.
Ability to relate well to individuals on one-to-one basis and in larger group presentation settings.Excellent presentation skills.Experience with or working knowledge or selling travel, selling to travel agenciesAbility to multitask, prioritize and problem solve independently in a deadline driven environment.Experience with developing and managing business plans.Forward thinking, curious, and creativeAware of current business trend knowledgeAble to collect and analyze complex information, problem solve, and make decisionsStrong skills in inspiring the win-win-winAbility to work independentlyTravel RequirementsTravel is required, approximately 35% or more of the time.
The nature of this travel includes Virtuoso meetings and events, member strategic meetings and events.Travel will be primarily domestic but may include some international.Type & Nature of ContactsInternal: Key job contacts are primarily with managers and director level staff outside of the job’s immediate work unit/department.External: Daily contact with member agency owners, managers, and advisors.Physical/Mental DemandsEvents walking, standing and/or sitting for multiple hours.Events carrying boxes and setting upApart from member and Virtuoso scheduled events, travel is self-managed.
We offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life, a company matched 401(k) savings plan, and more.
Virtuoso is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to promoting a diverse workforce.