Senior Director Distribution

About the Role

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a Senior Director - Distribution to define, lead, and optimize the Qiddiya DMO's distribution strategy across all domestic and international sales channels. This full-time role involves overseeing the commercial performance of Qiddiya's distribution ecosystem, including OTAs, GDS platforms, travel trade partners, corporate travel, DMCs, wholesalers, direct booking channels, and emerging digital distribution platforms. The Senior Director will drive channel expansion, revenue growth, distribution partnerships, market penetration, and technology enablement to ensure Qiddiya's tourism products are effectively distributed, competitively positioned, and commercially optimized across all source markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Qiddiya's long-term distribution strategy, aligning with visitation, revenue, and growth objectives.
• Define channel architecture, market coverage strategy, and distribution priorities across domestic and international markets.
• Lead the expansion and management of Qiddiya's global distribution network, overseeing relationships with OTA partners, GDS providers, travel agencies, and tour operators.
• Establish strategic agreements with key distribution partners to increase market penetration and ensure optimal product positioning.
• Develop strategic partnerships with travel trade organizations, DMCs, tourism boards, airlines, and hospitality partners.
• Lead commercial negotiations for major distribution agreements and partnership contracts.
• Own overall distribution revenue performance across all channels, collaborating with Revenue Management to optimize pricing and inventory allocation.
• Define the strategic roadmap for distribution technology platforms and capabilities, overseeing Channel Management Systems (CMS), Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and GDS integrations.
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, and distribution standards, and develop executive dashboards for performance reporting.
• Build and lead a high-performing Distribution function, providing leadership, coaching, and development for team members.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• A minimum of 12-14 years of experience in Distribution, Commercial Operations, Revenue Management, Tourism, Hospitality, or Travel Technology.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role with direct responsibility for distribution strategy and commercial performance.
• Proven experience managing large-scale distribution ecosystems and channel partnerships.
• Strong understanding of international travel distribution, OTA management, GDS networks, trade sales, and direct-to-consumer channels.
• Experience within destination management organizations, hospitality groups, airlines, tourism authorities, theme parks, or integrated resorts is highly desirable.
• Experience within GCC markets and international tourism source markets is preferred.

Team Leadership

The Senior Director will lead a team of distribution professionals, working closely with Revenue Management, Marketing, Technology, Destination Operations, Finance, and external partners to maximize demand generation and conversion. This includes fostering a culture of accountability, commercial excellence, customer focus, and innovation within the team.