Senior Manager, Partner Relations – DMC, Car, Rail & Specialty

Senior Manager, Partner Relations – DMC, Car, Rail & Specialty

Location:

Toronto, ON, Canada

Ensemble Travel Group is a leading travel agency consortium of top-tier agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada that was established in 1968. Part of Kensington Tours since June 2022, Ensemble provides members with access to exclusive offers, unique hosted tours, partnerships and superior marketing opportunities with best-in-class suppliers, and proprietary travel platforms such as ADX that offers agents instant commission visibility, one click insurance and more to improve efficiencies and earnings.

Ensemble maintains offices in Toronto and New York.

Reporting to the VP, Destination & Specialty, the Senior Manager of Partner Relations for DMC, Car, Rail & Specialty will play a key role in building and growing partnerships with preferred partners in key markets across the globe. This role is primarily focused on DMC, Car, Rail & Specialty competitiveness analysis, and ensuring favorable commercial terms and long term relationships with suppliers.

In addition, this role will lead the evaluation and procurement of the right connectivity solutions between DMCs and Range Group. The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with DMC partners and Connectivity Partners to secure optimal pricing and inventory, while working with internal stakeholders to analyze performance, identify opportunities, and enhance product value. This role is critical in shaping commercial outcomes and maximizing value from our activities offerings.

• Support and/or lead DMC, Car, Rail & Specialty contract negotiations, ensuring competitive availability and rates and favorable commercial terms aligned with Range Group’s overall buying strategy.
• Support and/or lead connectivity contract negotiations, ensuring real time availability and competitive rates across Range Group.
• Analyze partner performance data, reporting, and competitive shop insights to identify opportunities for rate optimization and margin improvement.
• Execute strategies to enhance partner competitiveness across key markets, adapting approaches based on real-time data and business priorities.
• Maintain ongoing dialogue with partners and Connectivity suppliers to review performance, resolve issues, and capitalize on opportunities to strengthen our offering.
• Continuously monitor supply and market dynamics to build a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and inform negotiation strategies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Analytics, Product, Operations, other travel vertical Partner Relations team and Sales teams to ensure negotiated rates drive both profitability and customer value.

• Experience:
  
  3-5 years in procurement, revenue management, partner relations, or a similar commercial role within the travel, hospitality, or tourism industry, and connectivity.
• Negotiation Expertise:
  Proven ability to negotiate rates, contracts, or commercial agreements that deliver measurable value. Advanced negotiation skills – able to deliver results while maintaining partner engagement.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong capability to interpret data, reporting, and competitive benchmarking to inform negotiation strategies and decision-making.
• Industry Knowledge:
  Understanding suppliers, distribution channels, and global market dynamics; experience working with other travel verticals is a strong asset. Experience with a global purchasing model and luxury services/product is an asset.
• Collaboration:
  
  Skilled at working cross-functionally with product, sales, and analytics teams to drive shared business objectives.
• Communication:
  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners. Proficient with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Strategic Mindset:
  Ability to develop and execute strategies that balance competitiveness, profitability, and long-term value creation.
• Adaptability:
  Comfortable with fast-paced, data-driven environments where priorities shift based on market conditions and competitive insights. Ability to lead and drive multiple competing priorities and thrive…