CONTRACTS MANAGER / ACCOMMODATION CONTRACTS MANAGER
LONDON | HYBRID
COMPETITIVE SALARY
Contracts Manager job with hybrid working based in London, within the leisure travel sector, offering a competitive salary. This is a commercially focused role responsible for accommodation procurement, supplier partnerships, and contract management across the UK, within a specialist destination management company.
▌ Do you?
Do you thrive in a commercially driven role where you can shape supplier relationships, negotiate strong terms, and build partnerships that genuinely move the needle?
Do you enjoy working across multiple locations and markets — bringing structure, strategy and momentum to accommodation procurement across the UK?
Are you comfortable balancing the detail of contract management with the bigger picture — collaborating across sales, marketing and product teams to deliver the best possible outcomes?
And do you bring the commercial acumen and drive to maximise margins, identify growth opportunities, and represent a travel business you’re proud of at industry events and trade fairs?
▌ Our Customer
We are proud to be working with a highly regarded leisure travel company specialising in bespoke inbound travel across the UK. Our client partners closely with international travel advisors and tour operators to create tailored, high-end travel experiences, combining exceptional service with carefully curated itineraries for discerning travellers.
They are now seeking a Contracts Manager to join their growing Commercial Department. This role sits at the heart of accommodation procurement strategy — managing key supplier accounts, driving commercial performance, and ensuring contracts across the UK are delivered to the highest standard.
▌ The Role
In this role, you will take ownership of accommodation contracts and supplier relationships across three markets, ensuring commercial performance, strategic alignment, and timely contract delivery.
– Manage and develop relationships with key accommodation accounts
– Conduct supplier audits, evaluations and in-field meetings
– Research, identify and onboard new partner accounts
– Manage all commercial aspects of accommodation procurement — including discounts, overrides and commission agreements
– Actively contribute to the business’s margin growth strategy
– Collaborate with senior leadership to design and implement a SMART commercial and procurement strategy
– Analyse performance data and market research to identify growth opportunities
– Produce and present regular progress reports to senior management
– Ensure timely delivery and execution of all accommodation contracts
– Partner with Key Account Managers, Sales, and Business Development teams
– Coordinate with marketing and sales teams to deliver promotional campaigns
– Represent the business at trade fairs, FAM trips and industry events
▌ Experience Required
– Proven experience in accommodation contracting, procurement or supplier relations within the travel industry
– Strong commercial acumen with a track record of margin management and negotiation
– Excellent relationship management skills — comfortable with senior-level supplier conversations
– Experience analysing performance data and translating insights into commercial action
– Strong organisational skills — able to manage multiple contracts across multiple markets and deadlines
– Full clean UK or EU driving licence
– Willingness to travel — approximately 5–10 days per month (seasonal)
– Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
– Professional fluency in English; additional European languages an advantage
▌ Benefits
– Hybrid working — across London
– Competitive salary — full package shared with shortlisted candidates
– 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
– Private healthcare (on completion of probation)
– Opportunity to represent the business at industry events, FAM trips and trade fairs
– A growing, commercially ambitious business with real scope for career development
▌ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a Contracts Manager in leisure travel?
The salary is competitive and will be shared in full with all shortlisted candidates by Ambitions Travel Recruitment prior to interview.
What does hybrid working look like in this role?
This role operates on a hybrid basis —with London as the main office location. Specific working arrangements will be discussed at interview stage.
Is leisure travel industry experience required?
Experience in travel, hospitality or a related sector is preferred, particularly in accommodation contracting or procurement. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will fully brief all shortlisted candidates before interview.
What does a Contracts Manager role in a destination management company involve?
A Contracts Manager in a destination management company is responsible for negotiating and managing accommodation agreements with hotels and ground service providers, ensuring competitive terms, strong supplier relationships, and timely contract delivery across multiple markets.
How do I apply through Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Apply via this page. Ambitions Travel Recruitment reviews every application personally — no automated screening. to be considered for future roles.
Who are Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Ambitions Travel Recruitment is a specialist leisure travel recruitment agency placing professionals across all areas of leisure travel — including, but not limited to, tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses — in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. Founded by Fi Morrison-Arnthal with 35+ years’ experience.
Click here to apply for this Contracts Manager job, which is being recruited by Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Ambitions Travel Recruitment places professionals across all areas of leisure travel, including tour operators, tailor-made travel, safari companies, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise lines, ski operators, and UHNW concierge businesses, in the UK, South Africa, GCC, Asia, and North America. With over 100 combined years of industry experience, we are trusted by global corporations, independent travel businesses, and growing operators to source hard-to-find specialists through a headhunting approach that reaches candidates who never appear on job boards.
▌IMPORTANT
– If this role ticks your boxes and you’ve got the relevant experience, then click and apply
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