Sales Director, Mediterranean & South American Markets
THE COMPANY
The Abbey Group is a long-established Destination Management company with offices in Dublin and Edinburgh and a remote team in London. With a turnover of €115 million in 2024, we specialise in B2B sales to the international travel trade for both ad‑hoc and special interest groups, FIT for the UK and Ireland, and Moloney & Kelly (North America) for both destinations, specialising in the luxury sector. We are a fast‑growing Destination Management Company.
The Group consists of Abbey The Destination Experts, Abbey Conferences, Abbey Events and Moloney & Kelly DMC.
The Group has five divisions specialising in specific types of inbound tourism:
* Group Travel
* Individual & Online Travel
* Incentive & Luxury Leisure Travel
* Conferences
* Events
Due to the ongoing expansion, we are looking to recruit an ambitious, results‑driven, travel industry professional for the role of Sales Director, Mediterranean & South America Markets.
JOB TITLE:
Sales Director, Mediterranean & South American Markets, Sales & Marketing Department – Edinburgh (hybrid) or London (fully remote)
ROLE OVERVIEW:
An experienced Senior Commercial Sales professional with strong knowledge and experience of the Group and FIT markets inbound to the UK and Ireland from the above markets. Reporting to the Director of Leisure Sales Europe, the successful candidate will have a proven sales and business/client development track record, excellent working knowledge of the UK and Ireland destinations, and specialist knowledge of Mediterranean and/or South America source markets and FIT and Group marketplaces. Multilingual fluency in English, Spanish and Italian is essential.
The role encompasses field sales work for both new business and developing existing business, with a focus on Leisure sales for the group travel sector. It will involve coordinating and working alongside overseas representatives based in Spain and Italy, independently conducting sales activities as well as collaborating with them.
CORE DUTIES INCLUDE:
* Develop a three‑year rolling Business Development Strategy and annual Sales Plan for the Mediterranean and South American markets, aligned with the Abbey Group KPIs.
* Research and identify high‑level target clients and initiate relationships with potential new clients.
* Conduct B2B field sales targeting Mediterranean and South American clients with a leisure groups focus, together with in‑market sales representatives.
* Research, qualify leads, execute sales calls and follow‑up to drive inbound business.
* Work towards specified KPI targets to deliver growth for the Abbey business.
* Provide feedback on product initiatives for this market and ensure response to client feedback and market needs in product innovation.
* Prepare and deliver compelling sales presentations and coordinate sales proposals.
* Utilise the CRM system fully.
* Attend trade shows, destination forums and undertake sales trips in the source market.
* Provide market intelligence to internal stakeholders, including the Director of Leisure Sales Europe and UK & Ireland Managing Directors.
* Contribute to the company strategy for sales growth from Mediterranean and South American source markets.
* Coordinate and manage in‑market Sales Representatives in Spain and Italy, and potentially in South America.
* International travel will be in compliance with the company’s Business Travel Policy.
WHY WORK FOR US:
* A Progressive Company
* Deloitte Best Managed Company for 16 consecutive years
* The Abbey Group holds a certification for being a Great Place to Work in the UK and Ireland
* Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme
* Hybrid/blended working option available
* Up to 60 days per year remote working abroad
* Discretionary flexible benefit contribution towards pension or health care plan
* Learning and development opportunities – individual training budget per year
* A paid day off on your birthday & an additional paid day off over the Christmas period
* Employee Assistance Programme – health & wellbeing support
* Active Social Committee and Green Team with events throughout the year
REQUIREMENTS:
* Travel industry professional with a proven sales and business/client development track record.
* Excellent working knowledge of the UK and Ireland destinations.
* Mediterranean and/or South America source market specialisation is essential, as is knowledge of the FIT and Group marketplaces.
* Multilingual – fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.
REPORTING TO: Director of Leisure Sales Europe, Abbey Group
LOCATION: Edinburgh (hybrid) / London (fully remote)
DEADLINE: 30 October 2025
The Abbey Group are committed to offering equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of gender, race, religion, or disability. Our hiring process includes unbiased job postings, diverse interview panels, and objective evaluation criteria. We ensure equal opportunities for promotions, providing all employees with a fair chance to progress in their careers. We fully comply with UK equality laws and maintain a zero‑tolerance policy for discrimination in the workplace.
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