Director, UK & Northern Europe

Location: London, United Kingdom

WHO ARE WE?

At the Hong Kong Tourism Board, we take great pride in helping people across the world fall in love with our home. There are many challenges, but we continue in earnest to revitalize and reshape the Hong Kong tourism brand and build sustainable growth for our city’s economy. To achieve our ambition, we are inviting passionate talents with a global mindset to join us at this incredible juncture, and work with a dynamic and fun team.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE AND LEARN?

Reporting to the General Manager, MICE & Cruise and Regional Director, Europe located at Hong Kong Head Office (HO), this role is accountable for overseeing all the sales and marketing programs in the UK, Netherlands and the other designated Northern European markets (“the region”), to ensure that appropriate, cost-effective sales and marketing activities are conducted within the region to meet agreed objectives.

This role will act as a "bridge" between HO and local staff, helping HO to understand the structure, special circumstances, and needs of the designated markets, and helping the local team to understand HO and global perspectives and imperatives. 

The Director is also a figurehead, being seen by external parties as the primary HKTB spokesperson and decision maker within the region, and as well the leader of a multinational staff team to provide directions and motivate for the desired results. 

Below are the major responsibilities.

• Devise the overall strategy for the region, lead and review the implementation of marketing, PR trade and MICE initiatives and programs to achieve set business objectives, KPIs and optimal results. 
• Identify, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with different stakeholders, including but not limited to government, media, online portals, airlines and travel trade industry.
• Act as the spokesperson in the region to establish long-term and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to reinforce the tourism brand of Hong Kong and ensure the sustainable growth of visitor arrivals.
• Keep abreast of the latest market development and provide continuous feedback on the operational environment, industry development and competitor activities to senior management at HO for strategic planning.
• Build a high-performance winning team, act as the role model of the HKTB’s culture and align the team to embrace the HKTB Mission and Values.
• Manage all business activities and people in the London Office effectively to ensure consistency with business objectives and in compliance with legal and policy requirements.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• University degree holder preferably in Travel/Tourism, Marketing or related discipline.  
• At least 15 years’ proven tourism industry experience in the UK market, of which at least 5 years in senior management level.
• Sound understanding of consumer and trade media in the UK.  Knowledge of the Netherlands and Nordic travel markets, MICE sector or of Hong Kong destination would be added advantages.
• Broad-based and in-depth knowledge of, and experience at a senior level across all areas of the marketing mix (advertising, PR, promotions, sales/distribution, research, product development; online marketing skills/experiences important).
• Proven ability to foster and maintain excellent relationships with external commercial partners.
• A strong presenter, and a good spokesperson for Hong Kong in the region.
• Analytical, strategic, with strong commercial sense; and results-oriented.
• Organized with good planning and implementation skills.
• Good people management ability, able to exercise a proactive leadership role and to provide creative, visionary approaches to increase tourism to Hong Kong.
• Willingness to travel.

LOCATION:

• The position is located in our London Office.
• We do not offer moving allowances from other cities.