Director, AA Vacations (Ft Worth, TX, US)

Location: DFW Headquarters Building 8 (DFW-SV08) 
Additional Locations: None
Requisition ID: 47983 

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

The Director of AA Vacations (AAV) leads the team that runs American Airlines’ in-house Tour Operator, as well as AA.com third-party partnerships with hotels, car rental, and insurance providers. This position will be responsible for developing a world-class customer experience, directing AAV strategies while promoting a deeper integration into the American Airlines organization. 

What you'll do

• Develops the overall strategic plan for AAV and ensures full integration into the wider airline’s strategic plans
• Sets the product sourcing strategy for our land products (hotels, car rentals, transfers, tours, and activities) and leads a team of Product Managers that negotiate and contract land products with multiple providers including hotels, car companies, destination management companies, and product aggregators
• Leads the AAV sales team and sales programs to drive profitable revenue growth through the Travel Agency distribution channel and directly manages relationships with agency owners and senior leaders. 
• Oversees the Direct to Consumer distribution channel and manages the marketing and digital functions associated with it.
• Serves as the face and the voice of AAV externally.  Interfaces with customers and the industry community through speaking engagements, media events, meetings, and other opportunities
• Advises the marketing strategy of AA Vacations and for sourcing co-op marketing funds from land partners
• Manages additional key aspects of the AA Vacations operation, including liaising with (i) Reservations to ensure optimal customer service is provided to our customers and travel agencies, (ii) Revenue Accounting, (iii) Legal, (iv) Tax department, (v) Digital and IT, and (vi) Marketing
• Influences decisions that impact the AA Vacations revenue stream, the booking experience for our customers, and the multiple aspects of our partner relationships with Hotels, Rental Car companies, Tourism Boards, and Technology providers
• Leads cross-functionally, mainly Digital and Marketing, as initiatives are conceptualized and implemented
• Travels up to 30%

All you'll need for success

• Demonstrates the highest standards of personal ethics and integrity
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience; Advanced Degree preferred
• 7 years of experience in leadership roles, overseeing teams with cross-functional responsibilities
• 7 years of sales/commercial experience including contract negotiations
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop managers and individual contributors and strategically develop a pipeline of future leaders 
• Significant experience in the OTA or leisure travel industry
• Action-oriented, results-driven, future-focused leader with a natural aptitude for seeking opportunities that transform existing business models and develop the team
• Creative thinker, high energy level, solutions and results-oriented, customer focused, and passionate about American
• Outstanding collaboration skills and ability to further integrate AAV into the rest of the American Airlines organization
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategy development and execution
• Experience managing and implementing complex projects, including digital and IT programs. 
• Ability to think strategically, negotiate skillfully, digest complex details, and use sound judgment and initiative in making decisions 
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with ability to handle complex topics comfortably and to interact effectively with all levels, both verbally and written
• Strong problem solving, negotiation, and critical thinking ability
• Ability to be flexible in rapidly changing conditions and priorities
• Ability to identify creative and innovative solutions to complex problems
• Proven ability to partner and develop strong, productive relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Believes in and promotes the American Airlines five leadership attributes:
  • Caring – we care about all team members
  • Collaboration – We succeed as a team
  • Development – We build future leaders
  • Results – We drive to be the best
  • Future – We continually challenge the status quo

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
• Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
• Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
• 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more.

Feel Free to be yourself at American

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve; inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Employee Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.

Additional Locations: None
Requisition ID: 47983 

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