Development Assistant Manager

Are you highly driven? Confident in rising to the challenge whilst setting high standards and goals for yourself? A forward thinker who is adaptable with strong European knowledge? We are working with a lovely company who are looking for a Development Assistant Manager to join their team, to convert sales generated leads into confirmed business. Increase current retained customers sales volumes YOY, along with maintaining a retention rate of 80% of new customers. Responsibilities: Interact with client accounts from all over the world, in particular USA, Canada, Australia, Portugal. Handle both Leisure requests and Corporate (MICE) group requests. Assisting the Head of account Management manage the team and takes responsibility of the team when the Head of account management is not available. Develop relationships with existing key and developing agent accounts to increase revenues and profitability. Also convert inbound enquiries from new, prospective agent leads. Ensure that client requirements have been fully understood and that the enquiry is fully qualified. Enter details of enquiries into booking system and efficiently manage business pipeline, ensuring prompt client offers whilst following up previously quoted offers to maximise conversion ratio. Create and manage tailor made itineraries to suit the client's needs and expectations. Do research on destinations/suppliers/services, followed by negotiation of supplier agreements for hotels/transport/guides/activities. Create profitable but competitively priced offer and send to client. Negotiate terms & conditions and sign contracts with agents. Handle requests, bookings, confirmations, and documents through the back-office system. Book services for confirmed bookings and ensure accurate details are entered and kept updated in the back-office booking system. Coordinate pre-tour preparations and information with booked suppliers on behalf of agent customers, ensuring agents receive accurate tour documentation in a timely manner. Liaise with accounts department to invoice agents and pay supplier purchase invoices in a timely manner. On tour support during office hours and part of an emergency service outside of hours for groups that are confirmed by the Account Assistant Development manager this can include emergencies for the team as well if required. Benchmark EI's services against main competitors and advise management. Advise management on feedback from agents e.g. gaps in services, payment solutions needed. Create itineraries based on client's needs. To research and develop innovative products in both new and existing destinations To ensure existing products are kept up to date and in line with market trends To follow up on enquiries and create new opportunities with new clients. To negotiate suppliers' contracts and terms of business to ensure product profitability. To create bespoke travel packages and itineraries and provide competitive quotations. To follow up for feedback from clients and adjust product accordingly to ensure quality. Salary & Benefits Basic salary in the region of £40,000 £45,000 GBP per annum, dependent on experience. Company Pension. Cycle to Work Scheme. 20 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays.Commitment: This position is not always "9 to 5", during high season it's sometimes necessary to work longer hours. The individual needs to be someone goal driven who treats the business as if it were their own. In exchange, company management invests in its staff with opportunities for personal development and career progression. Interested: If you would like to apply for the above vacancy, please click 'APPLY' or email your cv to (url removed)