Account Director - Sydney, Australia

Summary/Objective: API is looking for an experienced professional to join our team as an Account Director. We are seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Manager with a strong background in operational procurement. This role involves establishing and nurturing relationships with our expanding network of Airline and Hotel partners, aiming to drive strategic growth and fulfil our contractual commitments through exceptional procurement delivery. 

We are seeking a leader who is a strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a customer-centric approach. You should possess the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders and partners to drive business outcomes, as well as the capacity to communicate at both senior and operational team levels. 

 Summary/Objective: API is looking for an experienced professional to join our team as an Account Director. We are seeking a seasoned Procurement Category Manager with a strong background in operational procurement. This role involves establishing and nurturing relationships with our expanding network of Airline and Hotel partners, aiming to drive strategic growth and fulfil our contractual commitments through exceptional procurement delivery. 
We are seeking a leader who is a strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a customer-centric approach. You should possess the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders and partners to drive business outcomes, as well as the capacity to communicate at both senior and operational team levels. 
Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
Client Relationship  

• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at all levels within the airline and hotel partners.  

• Communicate and meet with major clients regularly to ensure that API deliverables are met.  

• Create a client sourcing strategy based on solid market insights   

• Report on strategy and savings matrix for nominated accounts  

• Strive to create increased value for the client by providing new points of view and recommendations that are aligned with desired business goals.  

• Develop and deliver strategic account objectives.  

• Suggest solutions and innovative ideas to meet client needs   

• Handle complaints and problems in a timely and effective manner.  

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports and budget forecasts for the client.  

• Prepare and conduct site inspections domestically and internationally when required to ascertain suitability for the airline in line with minimum requirements.  

• Where necessary, conduct virtual site inspections to assess a hotel's suitability   

• Effectively manage union relationships as part of the site inspection process  

• Provide strategic leadership to expand opportunities within assigned accounts.  

• Communicate with the Vertical Leader on client performance, strategies and needs.   

• Coordinate and manage weekly meetings with the designated airline to ensure sourcing deliverables remain on target and airline sign-off approval processes are followed.   

• Maintain an action log to ensure all parties are aware of action points and follow-up resolve points are understood, leading weekly meetings to review with the airline and internally  

• Support and help prepare client communications ranging from weekly performance meetings to business reviews.  

• Assist the Research & Sourcing team in ensuring all details of a destination presentation are accurate and offered to the airline for review.  

• Document, troubleshoot and resolve operational and sourcing events  

• Become knowledgeable with API’s technology platforms for the Account Management department.  

• Maintain spreadsheets and update databases as required.  

• Support the Senior Account Director or Account Management on assigned projects as requested in line with the growth of the business.  

• Established (at least 3-5 years) experience in a category manager procurement role  

• Experience in the travel industry is preferable.  

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or similar  

• MCIPS qualified preferred  

• Strong governance, process and change management experience  

• Negotiated major strategic and complex deals that delivered significant commercial outcomes.  

• Sound appreciation of category management principles and processes, with a working knowledge of contract law.  

• Strong results focus, with a continuous improvement skill set.  

• Strong negotiation and commercial skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and large stakeholder groups  

• Ability to effectively manage workload in a fast-paced environment, relying on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals  

• Shows attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality work   

• Ability to positively present API in customer-facing situations  

• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills, with emphasis on Excel  

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills  

• Customer service and client relationship skills  

• Ability to work with and understand diverse cultures here and abroad  

• An organised self-starter who can work proactively and independently  

• Flexible schedule and travel availability needed based on business needs 

API is the global leader for crew accommodation solutions, and we are changing the way businesses manage travel. Our technology platform streamlines the entire crew planning process, making day-to-day operations more efficient and elevating the crew layover experience. API’s proprietary technology, mobile solutions and our experienced team are positioned to offer our clients a complete, end-to-end platform that integrates seamlessly into their process. We are looking for dynamic, creative, and tech savvy individuals to join our team. If you are passionate about hard work, providing impeccable service, technology, and solutions to our clients then API may be a great fit for you!
Other Duties
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time according to business needs.
Work Environment
This position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
AAP/EEO Statement
Accommodations Plus International is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.