Demo

Senior Business Development Manager

Travel Staff
Des Plaines, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 8/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/6/2026

Job Summary: This is a new role for a Tour Operator who wants someone who could lead and scale their first-ever Travel Advisor Relations Program. This role requires setting the strategy, building the trade channel from the ground up, and executing the day-to-day work of turning relationships into revenue. The ideal candidate would be someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and dive in, not only as a Business Development Manager, but someone who has the foresight to build a team while taking ownership of a brand new growth channel.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and growing the travel advisor and trade partner program

  • Define the structure for advisor incentives, commission arrangements, preferred partner agreements and educational programs

  • Set KPIs to track program performance

  • Proactively identify, prospect, and secure partnerships with independent travel advisors, host agencies, and consortia

  • Partner with internal teams (marketing, product) to develop advisor-facing collateral, sales toolkits, and communications

  • Maintain rigorous CRM discipline to track leads, pipeline, and advisor performance

  • Represent the company at trade shows, conferences and industry events.

     

Job Requirements:

  • 8 years' business development, sales, or account management experience

  • Possess a well-established network of travel advisors and trade relationships to hit the ground running

  • Self-starter who thrives on building something from the ground up with minimal oversight

  • Experience leading/managing teams

  • Excellent sales, presentation, and interpersonal skills

  • Comfortable with CRM systems

  • Willingness to travel for advisor visits, trade shows, and industry events (estimated 25% travel)

     

The "ideal candidate" is someone who:

  • Possesses a genuine enthusiasm for the travel industry

  • Is flexible, patient, and kind

  • Is service-oriented
  • Possesses good interpersonal skills and a desire to help grow a respected family business into its next chapter

 

Salary : $85,000

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