Managing Director - Australia (Travel)

Location: Brisbane (Hybrid)
Salary: $250,000 - $300,000 + executive incentives

The Opportunity

An opportunity exists for an experienced Managing Director to lead the Australian and New Zealand operations of a highly successful, established international travel business.

This role carries full accountability for the performance, growth and leadership of a mature, commercially sophisticated operation within a consumer travel environment.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and Global Functional Heads, the Managing Director will play a pivotal role in shaping commercial strategy, strengthening supplier partnerships and driving marketing-led growth.

This is a senior executive appointment and is not suited to first-time Managing Directors or General Managers from small or early-stage businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive leadership of Australian and New Zealand travel operations
• Full ownership of P&L, forecasting, budgeting and financial performance
• Development and execution of growth strategies across sales, marketing and distribution
• Building and strengthening key supplier partnerships and commercial agreements
• Driving market share, brand awareness and revenue outcomes
• Oversight of marketing strategy to ensure effective lead generation and conversion
• Ensuring operational excellence and strong return on investment
• Continuous optimisation of systems, processes and organisational performance
• Leading, developing and retaining a high-performing senior leadership team
• Partnering closely with global leadership and functional heads

About You

You are a commercially astute, data-driven executive with proven experience operating at Managing Director level, or as a very senior General Manager within a large, complex travel or consumer business.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading established, multi-layered operations
• Proven accountability for substantial P&L responsibility
• Strong background in supplier partnerships, commercial negotiations and strategic marketing
• Experience within travel, tourism or adjacent consumer sectors
• Exposure to high-volume, sales-led or call-centre environments
• A track record of converting strategy into sustained top- and bottom-line growth
• A leadership style that drives accountability, performance and cultural alignment

Critical Experience Requirements

To be considered, candidates must demonstrate:

• Senior executive leadership within a medium to large, established organisation
• Experience managing complex operations beyond small teams or start-up environments
• Proven success driving growth through supplier relationships and marketing strategy
• A history of operating in commercially demanding, fast-paced businesses

This role is not suitable for candidates whose leadership experience has been limited to small teams, low-revenue operations, or early-stage businesses.

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to influence at CEO and board level
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic mindset with a marketing-led growth orientation
• Resilient, decisive and adaptable leadership approach

Essential Requirements

• Executive-level strategic leadership experience
• Full P&L accountability
• Demonstrated capability in supplier partnerships and marketing strategy
• Ability to work flexibly, including extended hours as required
• Willingness to travel when required

This executive search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis. All applications will be handled accordingly. Apply now or email your CV and cover letter to alan@traveltraderecruitment.com.au