Overview and what we offer
- Hours - 40 hours
- Location - Atlanta, Hybrid position
- Day off for your birthday
- 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution
- Company contribution towards healthcare, dental and vision benefits
- Generous PTO entitlement
- Hotel and airline discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Destination Sport is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees
Who we are
Destination Sport Travel is the elite travel management arm of Destination Sport. A global leader in travel management, Destination Sport Travel works with over 50 of the world’s leading sports teams, governing bodies, federations and major events. With a dedicated team across North America, UK, Europe, and Oceania, Destination Sport Travel’s specialist services span elite team travel, business travel and major events support.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the President, North America, the Vice President will lead the strategic direction, commercial performance and operational success of the Sports, Team Travel and Business Travel divisions across North America.
This executive role will drive sustainable revenue growth, strengthen client relationships, improve operational efficiency and ensure the delivery of exceptional travel solutions across a diverse portfolio of sports organisations, educational institutions, corporate clients and enterprise accounts.
The Vice President will oversee commercial strategy, client development, travel operations, supplier management, financial performance and organisational capability. Working closely with the senior leadership team, they will identify opportunities for growth, expand market share, improve client retention and ensure the business is positioned to meet future market demands.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the growth strategy for the North American Sports, Team Travel and Business Travel divisions.
- Partner with the President, North America and senior leadership team to deliver regional and global business objectives.
- Contribute to annual business planning, budgeting and long-term organisational strategy.
- Evaluate strategic partnerships, acquisitions and growth initiatives.
- Act as a senior ambassador across clients, suppliers and industry partners.
Commercial Growth & Client Development
- Drive profitable revenue growth through effective commercial leadership and market development.
- Build executive-level relationships with athletic directors, university leadership teams, professional sports organisations, governing bodies, procurement leaders and corporate travel buyers.
- Lead major client acquisition initiatives, RFP responses, contract negotiations and strategic commercial opportunities.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer needs to identify growth opportunities.
- Represent the organisation at industry conferences, networking events and client forums.
Operations & Service Delivery
- Provide executive oversight of all North American travel operations.
- Ensure the successful delivery of domestic and international travel programmes for sports, team, group and business travel clients.
- Oversee operational performance across air travel, charter services, hotel programmes, ground transportation and complex travel logistics.
- Maintain high standards of service, responsiveness, operational performance and client satisfaction.
- Drive consistency, efficiency, scalability and continuous improvement across operational functions.
- Lead crisis management, traveller support and business continuity planning.
- Ensure effective governance, risk management and duty of care standards are maintained.
Technology, Data & Innovation
- Lead the regional travel technology strategy.
- Drive the adoption and optimisation of travel management systems, booking tools, reporting platforms and CRM solutions.
- Partner with internal technology teams and external providers to deliver system improvements and innovation initiatives.
- Use automation, reporting and analytics to improve productivity, service quality and decision-making.
- Ensure clients receive meaningful reporting, insights and recommendations that improve programme performance.
Supplier Partnerships
- Develop strategic relationships with airlines, hotel groups, ground transportation providers, charter operators and technology partners.
- Negotiate commercial agreements that support profitability, service excellence and customer value.
- Monitor supplier performance against agreed standards and contractual commitments.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships, drive innovation and improve client outcomes.
Financial Leadership
- Hold full P&L responsibility for the Sports, Team Travel and Business Travel divisions.
- Deliver agreed revenue, profitability and growth objectives.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
- Monitor performance through financial and operational KPIs.
- Implement initiatives that improve productivity, commercial effectiveness and profitability.
- Provide regular performance updates and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
Leadership & People Development
- Lead, develop and inspire high-performing commercial, operational and client management teams.
- Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Attract, retain and develop talent to support current and future business objectives.
- Build leadership capability and succession plans across critical areas.
- Ensure organisational structures and resources support strategic priorities and growth plans.
- Champion employee engagement, professional development and a positive performance culture.
Required Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within corporate travel, sports travel, travel management, aviation, hospitality or a related service-led industry.
- Proven track record of delivering commercial growth and managing strategic client relationships.
- Experience leading large-scale operational and client service functions.
- Experience managing geographically dispersed, multifunctional teams.
- Strong understanding of sports, team, group and corporate travel environments.
- Experience overseeing complex travel programmes and delivering high levels of client satisfaction.
- Proven ability to negotiate significant commercial contracts and supplier agreements.
- Previous responsibility for budgeting, forecasting and divisional P&L performance.
- Experience operating at executive level and influencing senior stakeholders.
