Commercial Director, U.S.

Req ID: 10593

Required Education: Bachelors

Required Experience: 7-10 Years

Description:
We are looking for an experienced sales and marketing professional to head up a major new business initiative for TripAdvisor. Reporting to the Vice President of Partnerships, the successful candidate will spearhead the companys efforts to create a business and revenue stream targeting the hospitality industry.

S/he will have the skills and experience to make TripAdvisor the essential channel for hospitality industry sales and marketing. This will include the ability to develop and execute a business plan that will achieve the revenue target. The day-to-day work will involve evangelizing the new business area internally and externally, sales and negotiation at a high level, addressing problems, working closely with the Product and Engineering teams. The individual will have a proven track record of launching, refining and growing new business opportunities.

This role will head a small team and work with dedicated Product and Engineering resources.

Responsibilities:

Build a new multi-million dollar business from the ground up
Devise and execute the business plan which will achieve agreed financial and non-financial targets and see TripAdvisor become the preferred marketing channel of independent hoteliers, inns, B&Bs, attractions and restaurants globally.
Roll out a service that quickly becomes essential to the hospitality industry
Identify, assess, and prioritize target segments in order to build revenues quickly
Organize the most effective way of selling to target segments. It is expected that this will require direct marketing, development and management of a customer database, telephone canvassing, conference attendance and media relations
Ensure a promotional plan is in place to communicate the benefits of purchase to target segments
Selling, negotiating and closing contracts with intermediaries, associations and other key customers that will enable the business to scale at speed
Detail, quantify and manage necessary resources
Lead customer support effort and ensure appropriate support is in place to allow timely handling of customer enquiries
Recruit, Manage and motivate a team to achieve agreed goals
Tracking reporting data and conducting analysis. Specifying new reporting where necessary
Communicate market needs to designated Product Manager, devise and continually refine the best methods of generating necessary customer interest, including new product development and launches to create sales increases
The success of this role will be measured by achievement against financial targets, customer service metrics and subsequent goals to be defined

Requirements

At least seven years experience in sales and marketing at a leading directory/listings, e-commerce or media/publishing company where online commerce is an essential part of the value proposition
Proven ability to grow a new idea into a significant revenue-generating business
Demonstrable sales ability with a proven track record of success in sourcing leads, developing relationships and closing high-value deals
Comfortable in setting, working to and achieving significant sales targets
Confident presenter with excellent verbal and written presentation skills
Target-driven and proven self starter with ability to deliver on commercial targets
Ability to think across commercial, product and technical elements of projects to ensure that these three areas combine to produce best offering
Strong entrepreneurial instinct with a focus on end-results
Ability to maintain strategic vision and define/defend TripAdvisors value proposition
Demonstrable ability to think creatively - particularly about consumer needs and partner opportunities and potential solutions
Strong people management and motivational skills with a track record of achievement through others
Ability to lead by example in a fast-paced environment with a hands-on approach and demonstrated ability to multi-task
P&L experience
Strong organization and analytic skills absolutely required
Excellent customer service skills, both direct and through digital systems, in order to both lead by example and recognize and meet customer support needs

Note: This position is based in our Newton MA office.

TripAdvisor is an Equal Opportunity Employer..