Leisure & Small Group Travel Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Leisure & Small Group Travel Specialist handles the airline and hotel reservations, car rentals, rail tickets and other requested products for leisure travelers, with a focus on VIP leisure and small group opportunities. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum three years retail travel agency experience; Apollo/Galileo experience preferred
• Ability to sell hotel, car, rail and other related travel products.  Knowledge of tour companies and cruise lines.
• Knowledge of peak leisure travel destinations.
• Knowledge of cruises and escorted tours.
• Knowledge of DMC companies in frequently requested destinations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to manage details.
• Ability to handle numerous projects, prioritize workload and delegate responsibility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Basic knowledge of sales and marketing including the ability to understand the wants vs. needs of the customer and offer satisfactory solutions to meet both. 
• Ability to interact professionally and positively with varying groups of internal and external customers.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Experience in effective communication and relationship building skills, business writing and client presentations. Ability to interact with all levels of client management.   
• Experience in negotiations in a business environment.
• Excellent human relations skills; the ability to be flexible and sensitive to people's needs.
• Solid business acumen with a positive, professional attitude, and an ability to build strong relationships and earn the respect of colleagues and customers. 
• Ability to think and act in a proactive manner. Capable of seeing the big picture while understanding how each element contributes to the greater whole.  Must be competent to project how a change or delay in one area will impact the overall project. Willingness to try new ideas and challenge status quo.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to take and give direction within a matrix organizational structure and team environment. 
• Ability to generate enthusiasm and dedication to support team members in order to achieve client business objectives.
• Ability to display a sense of urgency, ownership and accountability. 
• Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft® PowerPoint, Microsoft® Word and Microsoft® Excel. 
• Ability to listen, understand and respond to external and internal customers’ needs in a timely manner; customer service experience in a service-related industry preferred.
• Ability to work the time necessary to complete projects and/or meet deadlines.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to complete each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.