Airline Account Executive (Based in Chicago)

Are you a proven, results-oriented sales and client services leader with extensive experience in all aspects of application and travel technology delivery, passionate about identifying, and capitalizing on opportunities to develop new business, increase revenues, and reduce costs with a detailed understanding of Agency, Airlines and GDS business and operational systems and an excellent track record in delivering high-value solution based sales, key client service and relationship management, and in partnering with business stakeholders and technology specialists to deliver mission-critical solutions? The Account Executive – Strategic Accounts – Americas will be responsible for profitably developing and enhancing ITA Software’s relationship with designated customers (including prospects and partners) throughout Americas. The Account Executive will have overall responsibility for the satisfaction of the designated customers and will be responsible for proposing and meeting the Company’s commitments to those customers. The Account Executive will report to the Regional Vice President, Business Development – Americas.

Responsibilities:

Thought Leadership and Insights

• Maintaining a high level of knowledge of the Company’s products, services and capabilities, and identifying ways in which to match such offerings to the needs of the designated accounts; remaining knowledgeable about the Company’s pricing practices and value propositions relative to competitors.
• Identifying senior executives, decision makers and functional specialists throughout the designated accounts – building and maintaining meaningful, trusted relationships with them – so as to guide, influence and enhance their assessment of the Company, its products and services.
• Working with the Business Development team and supporting the Marketing Analysis and Strategy team to provide meaningful insights and forecasts for the development of the designated accounts.

Business and Commercial Development

• Managing, developing and enhancing the day-to-day relationship between the Company and the designated accounts.
• Ensuring that the Company meets its service level obligations to the designated accounts and being accountable for the overall satisfaction of those accounts.
• Devising and implementing strategies for successfully developing the Company’s business (and share of spend) within the designated accounts.
• Working with the designated accounts to better understand their requirements; preparing and delivering compelling presentations and proposals; and managing the interactions throughout the lifetime of the relationship.
• Working with others in the Business Development team to develop and recommend the structure and business terms for commercial proposals for the designated accounts.
• Supporting the negotiation of commercial agreements with the designated accounts (whether for extensions, renewals, amendments or for the sale of additional products and services).
• Developing and proposing annual and quarterly plans for the growth of such accounts.
• Reporting regularly on the development and performance of the designated accounts against agreed plans.
• Preparing and managing periodic reviews and forward planning sessions with each of the designated accounts.

Team Participation

• Coordinating and leveraging resources from other departments within the Company to ensure that the needs of the designated accounts are met, and that the Company’s commitments are delivered.
• Communicating actively within the Company and all relevant departments to ensure a thorough understanding of the needs, requirements and future potential of the designated accounts.
• Supporting the Company’s business development efforts generally and partnering with others in the Business Development team to share experiences and insights gained from the designated accounts.

Qualifications:

• Airline or related travel industry account management experience required.
• Experience working with large carriers or OTA’s desired.

Special Knowledge/Skills Required:

• Proven abilities to manage self and others; to leverage and develop a multi-disciplinary team, potentially across multiple geographic locations.
• Demonstrated business development and organizational skills, with experience of growing profitable business opportunities, building deep and meaningful relationships at all levels of organizations; and managing conflicting objectives and deadlines potentially across multiple time zones.
• Established interpersonal and communications skills, with a deep-rooted sense of personal integrity and overriding honesty.
• A self-starter, capable of operating remotely from the Company’s headquarters with minimal supervision.

How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to us via this link. An ITA Software recruiter will review your qualifications and contact you if there is a fit with our needs.

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