Senior Director Destination Partnerships📣 إعلان

About the Role

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director - Destination Partnerships to join its team in Riyadh. This full-time role is responsible for developing and managing Qiddiya’s commercial partnerships ecosystem and distribution network. The position is central to driving sustainable revenue through strategic partnerships, travel trade relationships, and both online and offline distribution channels, aligning with national tourism priorities and Vision 2030.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Director will lead the development of commercial agreements and distribution capabilities across a diverse range of partners. This includes overseeing commercial performance, partner management, channel development, and team capability, while collaborating closely with various internal departments.

• Develop and lead the commercial partnerships and distribution strategy, ensuring alignment with Qiddiya’s objectives and national tourism goals.
• Establish multi-year commercial targets, partnership priorities, and pipeline development plans.
• Provide senior leadership with regular updates on commercial performance, market developments, risks, and opportunities.
• Manage the commercial revenue and budget for the Partnerships and Distribution function.
• Act as the primary commercial representative for partnership and distribution matters with relevant government entities and stakeholders.

Partnership and Distribution Network Development

• Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, online travel agencies, airlines, hospitality groups, and corporate travel partners.
• Build and manage relationships with key local, regional, and international partners, maintaining senior-level engagement with executives.
• Develop a structured partner classification and tiering model with defined benefits, access, incentives, and joint investment levels.
• Oversee partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and commercial contracts, ensuring measurable commercial, visitor, and brand value.
• Lead the development and optimization of Qiddiya’s business-to-business and business-to-consumer distribution network.
• Oversee relationships and connectivity with online travel agencies and global distribution systems such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo.
• Develop channel pricing, inventory management, rate parity, and commission policies across distribution channels.
• Lead the development of a trade partner portal offering booking tools, live inventory, marketing materials, and commission tracking.
• Evaluate and introduce suitable booking engines, central reservation systems, channel managers, and distribution technologies.

Commercial Performance and Team Leadership

• Establish commercial dashboards to monitor partnership pipeline value, deal progress, conversion rates, channel performance, and revenue against targets.
• Implement structured pipeline governance and regular commercial deal reviews.
• Work with Product and Finance teams to develop pricing and yield-management approaches across peak and off-peak periods.
• Lead and develop a team of Senior Managers, Managers, and Specialists across Partnerships and Distribution.
• Establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and development plans for team members.
• Build a commercially focused, partner-oriented, and data-driven working culture.
• Support the team in managing complex negotiations, partner relationships, and commercial challenges.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing to deliver joint campaigns, familiarization trips, trade activities, and partner-led activations.
• Coordinate with Finance, Legal, Procurement, Operations, Product, Digital, and Technology to ensure commercial agreements are compliant and operationally deliverable.
• Represent Qiddiya at major domestic and international travel trade exhibitions and industry events.
• Build effective relationships with the Saudi Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism, travel trade organizations, and tourism industry bodies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred. Professional certifications in tourism, destination management, or commercial management (*, CDME or CTA) are advantageous.
• Experience: Minimum of 12 years of progressive commercial experience within tourism, hospitality, destination management, travel trade, or a related industry. At least five years of experience in a senior leadership position is required.