Team Lead, Event Travel

Purpose of the Role:

Due to the successful growth of our business, a full-time position has become available for a highly competent and experienced Team Lead, to work within the Event Travel division. The Event Travel division supports supports both the Events and Business Travel Departments, managing UK and global travel logistics for groups of 10 – 1,000+ passengers. This varied role requires a team lead with strong leadership skills who can influence, mentor and guide a team as well as demonstrating excellent relationships, communication and commercial skills, who will develop industry leading relationships. The successful candidate will ideally have a proven track record in booking in healthcare travel logistics, driving income levels into the business at every opportunity as well as possessing strong attention to detail and organisational skills and be able to demonstrate value to both clients and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

• As a primary client liaison of the Event Travel Department, you will further the vision and goals of R&M by providing outstanding support across global markets. 
• Lead and support a team, demonstrating flexibility beyond standard UK hours to effectively collaborate with colleagues across multiple time zones.
• Daily line and performance management, motivation and development of the team
• Identify and deliver any training requirements and performance improvement measures 
• Ensure all team members consistently follow established processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs), while regularly reviewing workflows to identify opportunities for optimisation and increased operational efficiency.
• Develop and manage the training plan for your team in conjunction with the Head of Department
• Conduct training for new starters in line with the team onboarding policy
• To act as the primary point for both client and internal escalations
• To work in conjunction with the Head of Department and HR team in optimising staffing levels, including shift patterns, overtime and out of hours to meet the business demand and personnel records are kept up to date
• Conduct regular team and individual one to one meetings
• Managing HR issues in accordance with Managers’ Guide on employment practices
• Leads by example, inspiring others to achieve high standards
• Works through conflict constructively, finding opportunities to resolve difficulties
• Reports on any issues that may impact on business and financial performance
• Ensure all travel bookings, documentation and any expenses follow required transparency, approvals and audit trail processes.
• Create individual and group (when required) reservations and accurately input data into internal software systems 
• Provide proactive and consultative travel planning expertise to support objectives and maximise client value.
• Negotiate competitive fares with airlines, hotels and ground suppliers, securing favourable rates
• Maintain strong client focus at all times, delivering exceptional service
• Understand client accounts, to immerse yourself in allocated client brand and culture through understanding their marketplace and competitor landscape
• Excellent and strong multi-tasker who works well under pressure and can easily deal with short lead requests within SLA
• Attend client & internal meetings both virtual and face to face as and when required to do so
• To be continually aware of the departmental targets and client income. Increase income levels always reduce cancellations
• Achievement of pre agreed OKR’s.
• Support management on tasks and projects
• To have regular 1:1 meetings with your Line Manager to progress of the objectives set
• Financial targets contributed to and achieved 

Skills Required:

• Experience of operational management preferably within the corporate travel and/or meetings and events industry
• Strong leadership, influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent communications skills both written and verbal 
• Effective relationship building skills
• Fully competent in written and spoken English.
• Ability to correctly apply compliance rules to travel bookings, documentation, approvals and reporting.
• Proven experience in the travel industry, ideally within corporate travel.
• Strong GDS experience
• Excellent fare and ticketing knowledge, including Published, Nett & NDC fares
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook. 
• Ability to handle short lead and urgent requests within SLA.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage changing demands effectively.
• Proactive, solutions-driven mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
• Adaptable, collaborative and able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Able to be in our London office at least 3 days a week