Global Group Product Specialist, Africa

Position Summary
The Global Group Product Specialist supports the Global Group Product Manager and Global Core Product team’s work to meet A&K's overall strategy and commercial goals. The Global Group Product Specialist compiles and manages data and information for internal use and analysis and provides detailed destination, product, price, and date information to other departments to drive key deadlines and promote sales.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Provide operational and administrative support to the Global Group Product Manager.
• Create and maintain a Program Chart for each journey and extension; including operational details such as dates, prices, terms and conditions (deposits, penalties, etc.), accommodations, flight information, and timed itinerary.
• Create and distribute Product Memos indicating product/journey changes or updates.
• Respond to Reservation Sales Center (RSC) requests for product information.
• Assist in proofing marketing materials including brochures, mailings, email campaigns, and the website.
• Solicit and collect Resident Tour Director (RTD) schedules from Destination Management Companies (DMCs); track and obtain RTD bios and headshots and process RTD schedule changes.
• Process, review, and save or send Advising Recaps for each journey to DMCs.
• Assist in the preparation of deliverables for the annual planning meetings including date charts, timed itineraries, Quality data, and revenue data.
• Assist in the preparation of product launch deliverables, including product handovers to the Creative Services team, briefing notes, and product presentations for the RSC.
• Maintain organizational systems for tracking DMC deliverables associated with the launch of products, including timed itineraries, costing files, and operational notes.
• Serve as the point-person for Small Group Journey products when the Global Group Product Manager is traveling.
• Maintain internal and published resources to assist the RSC in properly advising guests of changing governmental visa and entry requirements.
• Monitor State Department warnings for covered regions.
• Assist Global Group Product Manager in creating & maintaining financial & analytical reports.
• Research and create competitive analysis charts for each journey.
• Create and collect data to audit brand features and requirements for each journey.
• Create journey date charts for distribution to DMCs and vendors; ensure return confirmation of date blocks in an accurate and timely manner.
• Attend pricing meetings to contribute statistical data and record pricing.
• Assist in managing journey pricing data to help achieve revenue and yield goals.
• Attend scheduled inventory meetings: noting any required product follow-up actions.
• Assist the Global Group Product Manager in working with suppliers to reduce costs as needed to achieve target profitability margins on tours with low numbers.
• Other support tasks and projects as directed by the Global Group Product Manager.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated adaptability, initiative, and a collaborative perspective.
• Skilled and proficient in knowledge and use of Excel.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and workload management.
• Knowledgeable of world geography.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office Applications.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business discipline preferred and/or equivalent related industry experience.
• Two years of proven experience in product operations management in the travel and/or hospitality industries.
• Two years of proven experience in product operations, costing, and tour construction.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain a valid passport.
• Attendance at after-hours trade functions and site inspections.
• Ability to travel, sometimes with little advance notice.