Associate Manager, Travel Merchandising

The AIR MILES Reward Program is one of Canada's most recognized loyalty programs, with over 10 million active collector accounts, representing more than half of all Canadian households. AIR MILES collectors earn Reward Miles at more than 300 leading Canadian, global and online brands and at thousands of retail and service locations across the country. AIR MILES is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Montreal (BMO). BMO is Canada's oldest bank and the 8th largest in North America with more than 12 million customers globally.Overview:This role forms part of the team that will become the center of excellence for reward program, product procurement and distribution for AIR MILES Travel (Hotel, Car, Features (including tours, activities, transfers) and other new products and programs to be launched. This role will be the operational and implementation driver for Travel rewards. This role will be accountable to work jointly with the Associate Director - Travel Merchandising to source new travel products and assist in contract negotiations and onboarding of these new suppliers/partners while managing existing Partner relationships and sourcing new offers, discounts and rates. Once the strategic roadmap for critical components is established this role will work with key constituents across Brand, Legal, IT, Business Systems, Marketing, Communications and Training, Finance, etc. to deliver the Travel reward value proposition, go to market approach and fulfillment. The role will be responsible for effective and efficient product database management, product build/ remote connector implementation and ongoing maintenance to ensure access to inventory and applicable rates at all times. They play a key role in ensuring all projects are completed on time and on budget. This individual seeks new ways to add value, consistently meeting and exceeding day-to-day Partner, Business and Collector needs.Responsibilities:Product TasksAssess and report on program trends (quantitative & qualitative) and competitive landscape to identify and build upon opportunities and uncover new partnership models in support of ongoing innovation effortsBusiness Development support activities related to new programs, products, partners and internal stakeholders. This includes collaborating with best advice on development, and facilitation of events, as needed. Could include the creation of generic sales deck as needed with storyline clearly mapped out, addressing program description, value proposition, financial impact and implementation process.Responsible for managing and improving the operational effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of new products, promotions, offers and programs. Establish processes and tools that will support an efficient and agile approach to assessing and deploying rewards programs and products.Engage with the Marketing team to ensure all creative assets are supplied, built to spec, on schedule, within budget, and comply with legal and brand standards (AMRP and Partner). Ensure timely and accurate Partner invoicing and billing.Support the leadership in execution of rewards programs and products. Program implementation will deliver, manage, plan and approve required marketing planning, ultimately leading the implementation process across all rewards categories and appropriate stakeholders. Program report and measurement - Work with Marketing Specialist and Analytic Solutions/Reporting & Insight team to gather results and learnings in preparation for business review meeting with partner.All aspects of Product and supplier database management, including but not limited to vendor set-up, rate and inventory management, remote source connectivity implementation and ongoing maintenance to ensure access to bookable rates and inventory at all times.Competitor benchmarking in collaboration with other constituents such as Analytics, Pricing and Revenue Management to ensure market competitive pricing in accordance with pricing policies set by senior managementRelationship Management Work directly with Partners and Stakeholders to educate them on the implementation process and ensure that all partner milestones and requirements are understood and completed on time and budget Work with Manager and Partner in the planning process to ensure lead time, resources and channel support availability. Initiate jobs with Marketing Specialist and ensure creative aligns with strategic objectives and deliverables outlinedBuild and maintain a professional relationship with Partner counterparts by responding to Partner requests and questions as it relates to creative or the execution of campaigns under direction of Manager and Marketing Specialist.Build and maintain a professional relationship with Partners and internal marketing.Act on behalf of the Partner team as an advocate and expert for projects that involve other agenciesGrow Knowledge Develop an understanding of the Partners' business (marketing challenges, sales/revenue targets, category/industry.Monitor competitive marketing via internet, trade publications, signing up for competitive programs with an eye for creative uses and how we can apply that to our marketing. Update the Manager and Marketing Specialist with findings and make suggestions for changesBased on the above research present proposals to Partner on how to enhance current marketing pieces (both AMRP and their ownProvide input both positive and challenges to support a best practices culture within the Partner account teamsForecastingAssist in managing both the quarterly and annual forecast related to the AMRP revenue plan for the account, using knowledge of AMRP priorities, Partner business, economic trends, history of the account and the account strategy as a guide for the inputsWork with both Analytic team and Marketing Manager to ensure a cohesive revenue forecast is delivered based on data trends and marketing plans along with the above inputs and knowledgeContractsIndividual will work with Manger in negotiations across multiple partners ensuring that the sourcing and negotiations are conducted in an open and transparent fashion. Key aspects of the negotiations include pricing, overrides, terms and conditions, and other financial considerations such as marketing revenues. Once contract has been executed, they will ensure the contract is up-to-date and terms are met by parrtnersQualifications Experience of minimum 3 to 5 years travel, insurance and/or leisure business.Strong people interaction skillsAbility to negotiate opportunities with travel partners (hotel, car package vacations)Good understanding of the product vendor, travel at largeStrong communication and storytelling skillsExtremely strong written and verbal skills with the ability to clearly communicate client creative needs to agencies for developmentExcellent proofreading skillsExcellent organization and time management skills, extremely detailed orientedProactive and solution driven Marketing Services,Travel Arrangements