LIGTENBERG
&PARTNERS
OUR CLIENT: Sunweb Group is one of Europe’s leading holiday providers, serving over 1.2 million customers annually across North-West Europe. With its three strong brands - Sunweb Sun, Sunweb Ski, and Eliza Was Here- the company offers well-curated, competitively priced holiday packages and value-added services in exclusive accommodations year-round throughout Europe. Their mission to create unforgettable holiday experiences - from the moment of inspiration to the experience itself - by combining unique product offerings, deep industry expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a relentless focus on seamless customer journeys.
TRANSFORMATION: Backed by private equity since 2019 (Triton Partners and its founder), Sunweb has entered a pivotal phase in its transformation - moving from a functional setup to a more business-led approach, and further integrating dynamic inventory models. This will enable the company to become a hybrid online travel platform that distinguishes itself by optimally combining the supply-driven strengths of a tour operator with the demand-driven agility of an online travel agency, while accelerating growth, enhancing stakeholder and shareholder value, and creating an even stronger foundation for a future exit of its current owners.
MANAGING DIRECTOR BUSINESS UNIT SUN
Commercial expert in hybrid touroperating and dynamic packaging
VACANCY: To lead this transformation Sunweb is now recruiting a Managing Director for its largest business unit, SUN, which represents 70% of the group’s revenue (~€800 million). In this pivotal role with full P&L ownership and strategic responsibility, your key responsibilities are:
- Strategic Integration: Align and integrate commercial decision-making across all functions (supply, marketing, pricing, operations and technology) to maximize profitability and efficiency;
- Growth & Supply Strategy: Define, lead, and execute the BU’s growth and supply strategy in line with the Group’s objective to become more asset-light and create distinctive customer value; manage contracting, portfolio, destination, and cost-price optimization;
- Innovation: Partner with the Product and Technology teams to drive profitable growth and seamless user experience for customers and suppliers, through AI and digital solutions;
- Financial Performance: Lead planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring, ensuring anticipated progress, timely corrective actions and sustainable results;
- Team Leadership: Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering accountability, business acumen, cross-functional collaboration, and an entrepreneurial, values-driven culture;
- Market & Stakeholder Alignment: Maintain deep customer and competitor insight, collaborate with Group functions and other BU leaders, and secure resources to optimize Group performance.
POSITION: You lead the Business Unit SUN with ~70 employees and 6 direct reports - Purchasing, Portfolio & Trade, Destinations & Advertising, Ancillaries, Transport, and Commercial Support – are a member of the Group’s Leadership Team, and report directly to the company’s CEO.
PROFIEL: As the ideal candidate for this challenging role, you are an accomplished business leader who combines a proven ability to drive business growth and innovation. You also bring a strong track record in transforming larger teams, as well as developing and scaling hybrid supply models (TO/OTA). You have gained this experience in a fast-track career, while working in sizeable, preferably private equity backed companies that excel in delivering distinctive and valuable travel services, directly to its customers in the Northern and Western parts of Europe or indirectly to suppliers that offer premium summer holiday experiences in the Southern parts of Europe.
- Strategic Integration: Align and integrate commercial decision-making across all functions (supply, marketing, pricing, operations and technology) to maximize profitability and efficiency;
- Growth & Supply Strategy: Define, lead, and execute the BU’s growth and supply strategy in line with the Group’s objective to become more asset-light and create distinctive customer value; manage contracting, portfolio, destination, and cost-price optimization;
- Innovation: Partner with the Product and Technology teams to drive profitable growth and seamless user experience for customers and suppliers, through AI and digital solutions;
- Financial Performance: Lead planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring, ensuring anticipated progress, timely corrective actions and sustainable results;
- Team Leadership: Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering accountability, business acumen, cross-functional collaboration, and an entrepreneurial, values-driven culture;
- Market & Stakeholder Alignment: Maintain deep customer and competitor insight, collaborate with Group functions and other BU leaders, and secure resources to optimize Group performance.
OFFER: Besides a highly professional, dynamic and performance-driven work environment, Sunweb provides a unique opportunity to lead a major travel platform transition, reshape the core of their business, and become a key driver for its future success. The remuneration package includes a competitive salary, a high-performance bonus, a company car, if needed a relocation allowance, and opportunity to participate in the group’s management investment program.
INTERESTED? For more information about the vacancy, you can also leave a message for Jasper Ligtenberg at +31 6 56050295 (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or send an email to response@ligtenberg.info. He will contact you as quickly and discreetly as possible.
APPLY? If you'd like to apply immediately, please use the button above to send your resume and cover letter (in PDF or Word format).
PROCEDURE: Once we receive your response, we will send you a message and keep you informed of any follow-up, including an initial consultation with one of our consultants and, in the final phase, a reference check.
PRIVACY: Your information will, of course, be treated strictly confidentially and will not be shared with anyone other than the client outside our office without your explicit permission.