Senior Director Destination Partnerships📣 Job Ad

About the Role

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

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the commercial partnerships and distribution strategy, aligning with Qiddiya's objectives and Vision 2030.
• Establish multi-year commercial targets, partnership priorities, and pipeline development plans.
• Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, online travel agencies, airlines, hospitality groups, and corporate travel partners.
• Lead the development and optimization of Qiddiya's business-to-business and business-to-consumer distribution network.
• Manage the commercial revenue and budget for the Partnerships and Distribution function.
• Lead and develop a team of Senior Managers, Managers, and Specialists across Partnerships and Distribution.
• Act as the main commercial representative for partnership and distribution matters with relevant government entities and Qiddiya stakeholders.

Partnership and Distribution Network Development

This role involves building and managing relationships with key local, regional, and international partners, overseeing partnership agreements, and establishing a structured partner lifecycle. It also includes:

• Developing a structured partner classification and tiering model with defined benefits and investment levels.
• Overseeing relationships and connectivity with online travel agencies and global distribution systems such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo.
• Developing channel pricing, inventory management, rate parity, and commission policies.
• Leading the development of a trade partner portal offering booking tools, live inventory, and marketing materials.
• Evaluating and introducing suitable booking engines, central reservation systems, and distribution technologies.
• Collaborating with Digital and Technology teams to enhance customer journeys and conversion across digital channels.

Commercial Strategy and Performance Management

The Senior Director will be responsible for positioning Qiddiya as a leading destination partner and ensuring robust commercial performance. Key aspects include:

• Developing innovative commercial models, including revenue-sharing, guaranteed inventory, and partner incentive programs.
• Providing senior leadership with regular updates on commercial performance, market developments, risks, and opportunities.
• Establishing commercial dashboards to monitor partnership pipeline value, deal progress, conversion rates, and revenue against targets.
• Implementing structured pipeline governance and regular commercial deal reviews.
• Working with Product and Finance teams to develop pricing and yield-management approaches.
• Monitoring commercial performance of individual partners, channels, products, and market segments, and conducting market benchmarking.

Team Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement

This role requires strong leadership and effective stakeholder management, both internally and externally. Responsibilities include:

• Establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and development plans for team members.
• Building a commercially focused, partner-oriented, and data-driven working culture.
• Identifying capability gaps and addressing them through recruitment, training, and coaching.
• Working closely with Marketing to deliver joint campaigns, familiarization trips, and trade activities.
• Coordinating with Finance, Legal, Procurement, Operations, Product, Digital, and Technology to ensure compliant and deliverable commercial agreements.
• Representing Qiddiya at major domestic and international travel trade exhibitions and industry events.
• Building effective relationships with the Saudi Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism, and other industry bodies.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates for this Senior Director position should possess a proven track record in commercial partnerships and distribution within the tourism or hospitality sector. Key requirements include:

• Over 10 years of relevant professional experience in developing and managing commercial partnerships and distribution networks.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sustainable revenue through strategic alliances and channel optimization.
• Experience in leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience in overseeing complex commercial agreements.
• Proficiency in managing budgets and monitoring commercial performance against targets.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to align commercial initiatives with broader organizational and national objectives.