What are the responsibilities and job description for the Group Sales Manager position at EL AL Israel Airlines?
Company Description
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd., known as El Al, is the flag carrier of Israel. The airline serves over 50 destinations worldwide, operating scheduled, chartered, and ad hoc passenger and cargo flights. From its home base at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, El Al connects Israel to Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia, and the Far East. El Al is known for its commitment to service, safety, and connectivity.
Job Description: Airline Group Sales Manager
Position Overview
The Airline Group Sales Manager is responsible for driving revenue and market share through the development and management of group sales, including leisure, corporate, religious, student, and incentive travel segments. This role focuses on acquiring new group business, maintaining strong relationships with travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate clients, and ensuring seamless coordination between sales, revenue management, and operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement sales strategies to grow group revenue and achieve assigned targets.
- Prospect, negotiate, and close group sales contracts across leisure, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), student, and corporate segments.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with travel agents, tour operators, corporate travel managers, and other key partners.
- Work closely with revenue management to price and manage group blocks effectively, ensuring optimal yield and seat utilization.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to identify new business opportunities.
- Represent the airline at trade shows, roadshows, and industry events to promote group offerings.
- Collaborate with marketing and product teams to design group-specific promotions and campaigns.
- Ensure operational coordination of group bookings with airport services, reservations, and customer service teams.
- Provide regular reporting, forecasts, and insights to senior management.
- Manage a team of group sales executives (if applicable), including coaching, performance management, and development.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Tourism, or related field.
- 5–7 years of airline or travel industry sales experience, with a strong focus on group sales.
- Proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
- Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
- Familiarity with airline reservation systems (e.g., Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo) and group booking processes.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Key Competencies
- Commercially driven with strong analytical and financial acumen
- Customer-focused with ability to build long-term partnerships
- Team leadership and collaboration skills
- Strong problem-solving and adaptability
- Results-oriented with proactive approach