Kostas Konstantinidis

Email: acun6s@r.postjobfree.com, Mobile: 075********, Tel: 020********

PROFILE

A highly skilled and result-driven Sales & Marketing Manager with over 18 years of solid experience within the Travel Industry. Extensive knowledge and hands on experience in large account management (corporate & leisure), deal-closing negotiations, budget handling and client relations. Proven track record in achieving results and exceeding set targets within a highly competitive environment. Strong background in planning and managing effective sales and marketing campaigns and product promotions. Strong time management, multi-tasking and team leadership skills. Successful in identifying and developing new markets, capturing new business and increasing sales. Experienced in forecasting market trends, sales performance improvements and sales training and industry networking. Firm believer in the importance of building outstanding customer relationships and the need in maintain a high professional integrity within the Industry.

Areas of Expertise: National Sales Management, New Trade & Corporate Account Development, Budget Management, Strategic Marketing & Sales Planning, Public & Media Relations, Customer Relationship Management, Market analysis, negotiating and implementing SLA’s, TCM & CTM accounts management.

ACHIEVEMENTS / KEY SKILLS

Extensive knowledge and hands on experience in large TCM & CTM (Reed&Mac, Carlson, Wexas) account management (corporate & trade), deal-closing negotiations, budget handling and client relations and service delivery process.

Hands on experience in negotiating and implementing SLA’s, including annual revisions, servicing, contract enforcement and contract delivery effective analysis.

Organised in cooperation with the H.O, the company’s UK yearly advertising and marketing objective plans. This involved the individual preparation of the campaign periods required for each objective. The formulation of an outlining strategy for the needs each period, regarding Media, National Press, Line Support, Industry Distribution Channels and printed material.

Managed the implementation of a net fare distribution system (A.T.P.C.O.’s CAT35). Key objective to increase productivity & sales revenue, introduce new business and improve relationships with established and existing accounts.

Secured lucrative incentive agreements with major e-commerce industry giants such as Expedia & Lastminute.com and responsible in implementing all joint marketing and advertising campaigns and product promotions. This increased the overall company’s revenue and competitive position within the industry.

Enhanced the company’s image and market visibility by implementing aggressive and specific targeting marketing campaigns, which included ads in trade magazines, social media, printed/electronic brochures and promotional items.

Developed a sales and marketing strategy specifically aimed for the meetings & incentive market for both the trade and corporate market. Targeting aggressively the UK Greek/Med MICE market.

Responsible for organising and representing the company in International Trade Fairs, major UK & Ireland Travel Exhibitions (W.T.M, Business Travel Show, Confex, and I.B.T.M.). Organised on a yearly basis the company’s UK road shows and industry functions.

Managed a pre-determined number of MICE accounts in cooperation with the sales department to ensure maximum yield in line with budgetary objectives.

Good background in web-site management, on-line presence development and online campaigns implementation.

Excellent sales and commercial trade and corporate experience. A clear understanding of pricing, promotional and sales distribution processes within the industry.

Managed all MICE accounts across the Universities European branches and responsible in obtaining a full knowledge of competitor products and tactics.

Extensive knowledge of sales/negotiating skills, event revenue management, data analysis.

Highly skilled in Marketing Programme Design, Account Relationship Management, Budget Management, Co-Marketing Partnerships and Corporate Advertising.

Experienced in airline ticketing/reservations/fare structure, revenue accounting rules, BSP reporting, airport regulations and also good knowledge of Galileo GDS and IATA regulations.

Excellent IT competencies, including MS Office and Excel, Power-point, Photoshop, Acrobat, E-Marketing and social media platforms.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Current Position: Marketing Support & Events and Conference Management Co-ordinator, Kingston upon Thames University, (12 month maternity cover contract ending June 2016).

Responsible in coordinating strategic, operational and logistical activities necessary for the production of recruitment and brand awareness events. Planning and managing the logistics of inbound visits and recruitment events. Identify key marketing opportunities, target audience, devising the event concept, planning the logistics and coordinating the technical aspects.

In charge for the overall event design, brand building, marketing and communication strategy, audio-visual production, scriptwriting, logistics, budgeting (MICE, meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions).

Experienced in maintaining call objectives and action plans for MICE accounts under my responsibility.

Sales & Marketing Manager - AGAPI Luxury HOTEL– Greece, Nov 2012 – Feb 2015 (Contract).

Managed the initial setup of the Marketing and PR Department for this new 4 star chalet located in Northern Greece. Over the period of my contract, I was responsible for preparing a marketing/sales plan and advertising campaign for 2013/14. Oversaw and prepared all printed and digital promotional material that was required for the Hotels advertising and promotional needs. Organised all inaugural PR functions and was responsible in liaising with all PR, press and marketing communications agencies.

UK Marketing Manager – TAP Portugal Airlines, Dec 2011 – Oct 2012.

Responsible for managing the UK Marketing, PR & Customer Services Department. Managing a total of 6 personnel and overseeing an annual budget of £600,000. In charge of the company’s UK website and online campaigns, use of digital/social media. Production of a monthly trade & customer e-newsletter with developments on the company’s product, services & UK/network wide fare promotions. Organised the company’s annual participation in Trade exhibitions and Sponsor & Barter events & competitions.

Responsible for all corporate marketing and planning campaigns, including delivery and results for key strategic initiatives.

Prepared the annual Marketing & Advertising Plan based on market analyses, Product Presentation and AD-HOC projects.

Managed all e-commerce sales accounts (Expedia, Lastminute, Opodo, E-Bookers) and responsible in implementing all joint marketing and advertising campaigns and product promotions.

Represented the company on all marketing activities within the Star Alliance & Corporate Plus Group and was responsible for the implementation within the company of all agreed joint Star Alliance marketing & advertising goals.

Monitoring and controlling Customer Services & market analysis with the purpose of improving company product visibility within the UK market.

Designed, implemented & facilitated an effective local & national marketing strategy.

Carried out effective research & intelligence into competitor products & other trends.

Managed daily activities with PR, press and marketing communications agencies.

Ensured that campaigns run to deadline and on budget.

Responsible for coordinating market communications within the areas of advertising, sales stimulation, direct & event marketing and ethnic market promotions.

Sales & Marketing Supervisor – Olympic Airlines, Jan 2002 – Sep 2011.

Responsible of supervising a total of 05 staff within the UK Sales & Marketing Department on a day to day basis. Managed the sales territories of Ireland, North West, North East England, plus central London. A sales area which incorporated approximately 62% of all major accounts and consistently produced over 45% of the company’s total yearly BSP revenue.

Prepared the stations monthly sales reports and UK market information analysis for H.O. Additionally the stations yearly Net Fare Commercial policy for H.O approval and distribution to our UK travel industry partners.

Organised a PPC web marketing campaign to increase industry awareness during the company’s renewal of its long haul fleet with A340's. Additionally providing valuable information on our target market, on campaign optimisation efficiency and web site visibility maximisation.

In charge of the company’s UK Public Relations and Press Office.

Sales Executive – Olympic Airways, Oct 1995 – Jan 2002.

Working closely within the Sales & Marketing team in supporting company sales objectives and marketing strategies. Managed and serviced existing accounts, developed new business on a regional and national level and served as key liaison with all accounts within my sales area. Produced reports on all major accounts and competitor activity analysis.

Responsible for the company’s pricing strategy and distribution of Marine & SATA net fares for all UK & Ireland agency contracts.

In charge of the company’s monthly and yearly STF accounts, BSP productions figures, plus all UK Deeds of Undertaking.

Prepared and conducted professional staff training seminars, sales & product presentations.

Updated databases and records accordingly.

Distributed mail shots, followed up on /e-commerce e flyers/e newsletters.

EDUCATION/TRAINNING HISTORY

1990 – 1994 BA (Hones) in Classical History / Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.

1999 – 2000 NVQ Qualification in Events, Exhibition & Conference Industry, Newham College, Lon, UK.

Institute of Travel & Tourism (Field Sales Skills).

ComputerLand UK (MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint Course).

Introduction to Customer Knowledge Management & Retention / Winback Seminars.

Speedwing Training (BA Ticketing Course, Level 1) / OA Training Centre (Hermes/Galileo CRS,

Reservations & Ticketing Course Level 1).

Greek (excellent), French (average).

Contact this candidate