About Us:

HomeAway, based in Austin, Texas, is the world leader in vacation rentals with more than 2 million unique places to stay in 190 countries, and is a part of the Expedia, Inc. family of brands. 

HomeAway offers an extensive selection of vacation rental homes that provide travelers with memorable experiences and benefits, especially more room to relax, for less than the cost of traditional hotel accommodations. The company also makes it easy for vacation rental owners and property managers to advertise their properties and manage bookings online.

Role Purpose:

We are looking for a Head of Affiliate Partnerships – Americas to grow our team and expand our business-to-business (B2B) distribution channels in Americas’ countries, starting with a strong focus on the North American markets first. Your ability to recruit, train and manage a team of account managers in your region combined with your experienced sales and communication skills and convincing analytical abilities to close deals with prospects of strategic importance, will allow you to build a strong affiliate marketing presence with new and existing partners.

You can expect a dynamic environment that nurtures and challenges, while providing valuable career-building experience. The role is ideal for a highly motivated, can-do attitude individual who can network and establish relationships, both internally and externally, influence decision makers at all levels and wishes to immerse themselves into the commercial dynamics of a successful company. You will learn how to work in a professional environment, with ample opportunity to be exposed to new tools, skills, and different departments across our entire business. 

This role reports to the Sr. Director Global Affiliates & Strategic Partnerships

Responsibilities:

Team Management and Business Development:

• Monitor, research, and report findings on market developments in your region
• Identify affiliate partnership opportunities per country in your region and build the team accordingly
• Create job descriptions, conduct interviews, and recruit new team members in agreement with your manager
• Research and segment business opportunities with prospects/partners in your region who generate qualified traffic and/or who have a strong brand
• Proactively grow and manage your own and your team’s sales pipeline
• Educate, train, guide and support your team members to develop them into successful account managers
• Identify top talents in your team and support them in their career development to become our future leaders

Key Account management:

• Build and maintain a professional network with partners of strategic importance
• Manage all steps in the sales process, leading up to finalizing distribution deals (i.e. prospecting, contacting, planning/attending meetings, contracting, integrating, optimizing business outcome, and maintaining close relationships with our partners)
• Establish an understanding of the business objectives of these partners and match these with our range of services to create and maximize new business opportunities
• Negotiate and close deals in accordance with the HomeAway.com contract guidelines and policies
• Attend travel conferences in your region to increase your network and the promote HomeAway.com brand

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven track-record in building and developing high-performing teams
• Team leadership experience, with ability to influence all levels of management in a matrix organized, global company
• In-depth understanding of cultural nuances across your region and ability to adapt your business style accordingly
• Native/Fluent in English in written and spoken, other language skills preferred
• Minimum 8 years’ relevant work experience in sales and online travel, leadership experience preferred
• Excellent knowledge of the (online) travel industry
• Business, marketing or other relevant (academic) degree
• Commercial focus, sales driven, results oriented and a client relationships manager
• Creative, persistent, and outgoing personality, eager to learn
• Proactive, positive, and self-motivated with ability to work without close supervision
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and reporting skills
• Superior analytical skills, using data to identify underlying trends and make informed commercial decisions
• Ability to operate both independently and in a team to manage to objectives and company’s goals
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing market environment
• Solution-based approach to sales with a good understanding of technology
• Strong customer focus and relationship-building skills
• Ability to travel approximately 30%-40% of the time
• Willingness to move to Austin (TX), if based elsewhere

Benefits & Perks:

• Competitive health and insurance benefits
• Competitive salary
• Annual target bonus or commission
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Vacation rental on a yearly basis (taxable benefit)
• Parental Leave (up to 20 weeks based on eligibility)
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Free snacks and beverages, including breakfast on Fridays
• Frequent company update talks with our leadership team
• Free listing on HomeAway.com
• Electronic, adjustable stand-up desk
• Discounted Metro & Rail pass
• Casual dress

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.