General Manager-LGS Media & Data

Sabre is a technology company that powers the global travel industry. By leveraging next-generation technology, we create global technology solutions that take on the biggest opportunities and solve the most complex challenges in travel. 

Positioned at the center of the travel, we shape the future by offering innovative advancements that pave the way for a more connected and seamless ecosystem as we power mobile apps, online travel sites, airline and hotel reservation networks, travel agent terminals, and scores of other solutions.

Simply put, we connect people with moments that matter.

Sabre Corporation is seeking a dynamic "General Manager – LGS Media & Data" to lead the development of strategic media strategies and advertising operations. This leadership role will be responsible for advocating advertising practices with internal and external stakeholders and overseeing the execution of scalable media operations and procedures. The position requires expertise in digital media and monetizing of data products, programmatic buying, and measurement, along with a thorough understanding of Global Distribution Systems and the competitive landscape in the B2B Managed Travel Category. Media and Data financial targets will need to be achieved through capitalizing on opportunities and organic growth. The ideal candidate drives execution and adoption of Sabre media and data solutions across Sabre GDS platforms and the digital advertising ecosystem.

Commercial success will be achieved by optimizing current media and data models, expanding into new channels and partnerships, and leading a team that delivers high-performing campaigns for Sabre's supply and demand partners. This highly motivated, detail-oriented individual will also lead a team of AdOps media experts in translating Sabre's media and audience data into highly successful campaign execution. The AdOps team is responsible for executing innovative media strategies to delivering media via Sabre GDS channels and programmatic platforms to travel agents and end consumers. The individual will provide strategic thought leadership on growth of the media operation, data & audience strategies, curation techniques, and campaign optimization. It is the General Manager ensures that all applicable ad serving, programmatic techniques, and technologies are deployed for optimal campaign performance. This role will need to be deeply integrated with the GDS Media Sales and Account Management teams in order to ensure that media campaigns are being sold effectively and delivered efficiently for Sabre's Media and Data customers.

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in programmatic media buying, PMP curation, and audience targeting across various media formats and channels. The role requires strong experience and knowledge in SSP, DSP and exchange-based media buying, managing and coaching direct reports in a rapid growth environment, strong analytical thinking ability, and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

Sabre Media Platform & Ad Tech Operations

• Develop an in-depth understanding of Sabre's GDS ad tech operations and processes. Benchmark existing and evolving practices against digital industry standards to identify and drive improvements.
• Maintain excellent knowledge of the media landscape and analytics tools (DMPs, SSPs, curation, DSPs etc) while understanding how this marketplace will adapt with the wider market changes in Privacy.
• Prepare cohesive media recommendations for Sabre GDS channel mixes, advertising agencies, travel brands, audience strategy, creative messaging, and campaign execution.
• Commercialize a suite of private market place deals (PMPs) leveraging data assets to drive travel intent and reservations for travel suppliers and consumers.
• Develop managed service programmatic campaign strategies incorporating data assets to reach target audiences and exceed advertising agency and travel advertiser objectives.
• Formulate media forecasts and position media strategies to align with company goals and drive continuous growth.
• Proactively identify, evaluate and vet existing and new technology, data, media inventory, targeting, measurement and attribution solutions.
• Work with Product and Engineering teams to communicate customer needs, request product enhancements, shape the product roadmap and understand development timelines for new features.

Sabre Data Products and Operations

• Develop an in-depth understanding of Sabre's GDS available data attributes and functionalities (data lakes, available data mining tools, etc). 
• Maintain excellent knowledge of data needs of current and potential stakeholders and understand marketplace of current data tools/processes within the travel vertical.
• Prepare cohesive data monetization recommendations for Sabre, including new products and data processes/data flows for endemic and non-endemic uses.
• Develop data monetization models, identifying opportunities to leverage Sabre's data assets for revenue growth.
• Commercialize a suite of data products leveraging data assets to drive travel intent and reservations for travel suppliers and consumers.
• Develop a team of experts with the intent of becoming a thought leader in the travel marketplace that allows Sabre to grow data products and services further.
• Formulate forecasts and position data monetization strategies to align with company goals and drive continuous growth.
• Work with Product and Engineering teams to communicate customer needs, request product enhancements, shape the product roadmap and understand development timelines for new features.

Team Leadership

• Lead an Ad Ops team responsible for executing and optimizing media campaigns for travel supply partners, ensuring maximum return on advertising spend (ROAS).
• Work closely with Media Sales/Account Management leadership to ensure seamless campaign management
• Ensure a smooth transition in the client lifecycle from sales to post sales campaign execution.
• Drive education with internal teams and clients around new innovative media strategies and programmatic best practices.
• Oversee training, mentoring and development of direct reports & drive continued growth in skills and knowledge across the team.
• Responsible for the financial and operational success of the team in a matrix organization.

Partnerships

• Work closely with senior leadership on account and portfolio growth initiatives.
• Assess potential reseller partners and demand platforms to enhance Sabre's media buying strategies.
• Develop and deliver best-in-class inventory control solutions to maximize Sabre's media sales capabilities
• Optimize the current multi-seller model to increase capacity utilization and yield.
• Create and execute a strategy to expand partnerships with key suppliers and their media advertising agencies.
• Work with existing and new partners across platforms, data and inventory to deliver new and first to market opportunities that deliver on client business objectives.

Consultative Selling

• Collaborate across a matrixed organization to build customer relationships and support sales teams with strategic pitches, messaging and alignment with business objectives.
• Excel in managing long, complex sales cycles and consultative selling to tailor Sabre media and data solutions to meet clients' evolving needs.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Advertising or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in digital media, programmatic buying, and advertising operations. A few years of experience in monetizing any type of data products will be preferred.
• 3-5 years of hands-on programmatic experience with PMP curation and managed service campaign optimization with DSPs.
• 5 years of managerial experience.
• Deep working knowledge of the programmatic landscape, including DMPs, SSPs, ad servers, DSPs, open exchange, PMP and guaranteed buys etc.
• Proven success in managing media campaigns and optimizing for performance (ROAS).
• Experience leading teams and driving collaboration in a matrixed organization.
• Proven ability in training and leadership capability.
• Strong sales acumen, with experience in consultative selling and managing complex, long-term sales cycles.
• Excellent strategic thinking, with a proven track record of building and growing partnerships.
• Experience working with large data sets and deep understanding of analytical methodologies and data evaluation. 
• Hands-on experience with data visualization tools, such as Tableau.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to work with global leadership to align on business goals and strategy.
• Proven ability to be proactive and able to work independently and direct projects for self and for larger team.
• Passion for learning and enjoy working with a variety of individuals and maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
• Travel experience is a plus.

Reasonable Accommodation

Sabre is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants applying for a Sabre position with a disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact Sabre at [email protected].

Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Affirmative Action

Sabre is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, females, veterans and disabled individuals. EEO IS THE LAW

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