Manager, Travel Partners

AAA Mountain West Group • Phoenix, AZ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Director, Travel Product & Partnerships, the Manager, Travel Partners oversees core travel partnerships, including tour and cruise partners, as well as emerging partnerships in destination, hotel, airline, and other growth-opportunity sectors. The role drives annual business outcomes, executes strategic partner initiatives, and maximizes partnership investments in alignment with organizational performance goals.

The Manager collaborates with Sales, Travel Marketing, Operations, external creative agencies, and other stakeholders to oversee partner relations, campaign execution, and cooperative promotional strategies. The role also leads assigned Product Specialists, supporting effective operations and team productivity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in a service environment with project management and operations experience.
• At least 2 years of experience in the travel industry.
• At least 2 years of direct people-management experience.
• Background managing travel provider partnerships across airlines, hotels, tour operators, and cruise lines, and expertise in enhancing end-to-end member travel experiences.
• Strong analytical skills, including identifying market trends, interpreting data, and translating insights into marketing tactics that support sales goals.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to maintain partner relationships and present to all management levels.
• Demonstrated people-management ability, including improving team productivity and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Ability to adapt to industry changes, evolving vendor partnerships, and shifting member demographics.
• Proficiency with standard business tools, including Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

• 8 or more years of dedicated project management experience.
• Prior experience in the cruise or hospitality sectors.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in the travel sector.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations and annual strategic plans for priority and emerging travel partners across tour, cruise, hotel, airline, and destination categories.
• Identify partner positioning opportunities and cooperative investments across product verticals.
• Collaborate with the Director of Partnerships to onboard destination partners and manage ongoing relationships.
• Develop cooperative marketing, brand-awareness, and member-benefit promotion opportunities to drive results from partner investments.
• Coordinate with Travel Marketing on campaigns, partner needs, upcoming offers, marketing agreements, and override opportunities.
• Develop promotional offer ideas for internal and external use.
• Work with fellow Product Managers to identify multi-category promotional opportunities within larger campaigns.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews and monthly meetings with preferred and emerging partners to review marketing execution, sales figures, campaign opportunities, agent incentives, and issues.
• Maintain communication with priority partners and internal stakeholders to maximize financial returns, meet Club goals, and fulfill supplier agreements.
• Participate in cross-functional teams with Sales, Travel Marketing, and Operations to deliver strategic partner objectives.
• Manage and direct the daily responsibilities of assigned Product Specialists, guiding work and improving team productivity.
• Track priority partner sales reports and annual override projections, monitor KPIs, and plan upcoming promotions.
• Prepare and present regular project status reports to stakeholders, including senior management.
• Monitor the competitive landscape and recommend partnerships and growth opportunities aligned with organizational goals.

Benefits

• Opportunity to participate in a discretionary annual incentive plan or other incentive plans, depending on position.
• 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6% of eligible earnings per pay period.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Wellness program.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid time off accrued monthly.
• Depending on position, an additional 24 hours per year for volunteer activities.
• Free AAA Classic Membership.
• AAA product discounts.
• Tuition reimbursement program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager