Head of Distribution

Job description

Head of Distribution (Indirect Revenue & Distribution) Location: Dunstable (LU5 5XE), hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home/another location Function: Sales & Distribution (Commercial) Salary: £100,000 - £115,000 dependant on skills and experiences £7,500 car allowance + up to 50% bonus + health + up to 10% matched pension + bens At Whitbread, we're proud to be the home of Premier Inn, the UK's largest hotel brand. Having built an industry-leading direct booking model, we're now entering an exciting new phase of growth and are looking for an exceptional Head of Distribution to shape the future of our indirect business. This is a newly created, high-profile leadership role with the opportunity to define and execute a distribution strategy that will influence hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue. You will lead our approach across Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and key connectivity partners, ensuring every partnership drives profitable, incremental demand while delivering an outstanding customer experience. You will be the commercial owner of strategic relationships with major global partners, negotiating complex frameworks and optimising everything from commission structures and marketing opportunities to connectivity solutions and payment models. Cross- departmental relationships will be key to execution. You will work closely with Commercial, Revenue Management, Marketing and Finance leaders to determine how, when and where we activate distribution channels to maximise performance. Leading a team of around 12 Account Managers, Sales and Technical specialists, you will build capability, raise performance standards and create a culture focused on commercial excellence, accountability and results. We are looking for a proven distribution leader with deep expertise across the hotel, travel or airline sectors. You will bring experience of creating distribution strategies, negotiating large-scale commercial agreements, leading successful sales teams and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations. Existing relationships across the OTA, TMC and wider distribution ecosystem would be highly advantageous. If you're excited by the opportunity to reshape a major distribution function, influence board-level thinking and help build a multi-hundred million pound indirect business for one of the UK's most recognised brands, we would love to hear from you. We’re proud to be a Top Employer for 14 consecutive years, a top apprenticeship employer, a Leader in Stonewall’s Proud Employer Accreditation, and a Top 25 Exemplary Employer in the Investing in Ethnicity Parliamentary Matrix.