Strategic Partnerships & Integrations Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Strategic Partnerships & Integrations Director

🔹 Company: Gathern

🔹 Location: Riyadh, Ar Riyāḑ, Saudi Arabia

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Hospitality

🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading high-impact B2B partnerships on both supply and demand sides
• Driving commercial deals, enabling technical integrations, and ensuring long-term partner success
• Cross-functional and performance-driven role requiring strong commercial instincts and product understanding
• Relentless focus on deal optimization, both technically and strategically

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of stakeholder management and requires strong communication skills to build and maintain relationships with various partners.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Identify, close, and scale supply partnerships with property managers, PMS providers, and channel managers

✅ Lead commercial discussions and contract negotiations

✅ Manage partner onboarding, systems integration, and performance enablement

✅ Continuously optimize deals for performance, cost-efficiency, and inventory quality

✅ Develop strategic partnerships with global OTAs, API-based marketplaces, and distribution platforms

✅ Own commercial terms, integration timelines, and post-launch performance

✅ Collaborate on joint initiatives that drive bookings and market expansion

✅ Optimize distribution partnerships to ensure maximum reach, technical stability, and commercial ROI

✅ Work closely with Product and Engineering to scope, implement, and support API-based integrations

✅ Coordinate technical onboarding, documentation support, and issue resolution

✅ Represent partner technical needs internally and prioritize cross-functional solutions

✅ Drive performance across all partnerships, owning KPIs for partner activation, integration quality, and booking contribution

✅ Provide structured feedback to Product based on partner use cases and integration gaps

✅ Maintain high levels of organization, follow-through, and measurable accountability

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance between strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with a focus on driving results and optimizing partnerships.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 6+ years in partnerships, business development, or technical account management, ideally in travel tech, SaaS, marketplaces, or proptech

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in closing and managing B2B deals on both supply and demand sides
• Experience in optimizing commercial partnerships for growth, efficiency, and scale, with strong technical awareness
• Comfort working with API integrations, product teams, and cross-functional enablement processes
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and people skills, especially with international stakeholders
• Highly organized, target-driven, and accountable
• Strong product intuition, able to translate partner needs into actionable technical solutions
• Fluent in English; Arabic is a plus
• Driven by outcomes, relationship longevity, and ecosystem impact

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with property management systems (PMS) and online travel agencies (OTAs)
• Knowledge of the Middle East hospitality industry
• Familiarity with API documentation and SDKs

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the travel tech or hospitality industry may have an advantage in understanding the nuances of this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on experience and industry standards, the estimated salary range for this role is SAR 35,000 - 50,000 per month. This is an estimate and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Performance-based bonuses
• Flexible work hours

Working Hours: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Hospitality

Company Size: 51-200 employees

Founded: 2017

Company Description:

• Gathern is a Saudi-based hospitality company focused on providing accommodation solutions
• Their mission is to make every place feel like home ("🏠💜 في كل مكان لك بيت")
• They operate in the Riyadh region and have been growing since their founding in 2017

Company Specialties:

• Travel
• Hospitality
• Accommodation
• and Tourism

Company Website: http://www.gathern.co

ASSUMPTION: Gathern is a growing hospitality company with a focus on providing comfortable accommodation options for travelers.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior role, with the potential for growth into a leadership position

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the CEO or a senior executive within the company

Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with flexible work hours and the option to work from the company's Riyadh office

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a leadership role within the partnerships team
• Opportunity to work with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders
• Chance to make a significant impact on the company's growth and success

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with the opportunity to build and lead a successful partnerships team.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Flexible, with the option to work remotely or from the company's Riyadh office

Office Location(s): 8710 Othman bin Affan, Riyadh, Riyadh 12445, SA

Geographic Context:

• Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia
• The city is a major commercial hub and a significant player in the Middle East's hospitality industry
• Riyadh offers a mix of traditional and modern culture, with a growing expat community

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely

ASSUMPTION: The flexible work arrangement and remote option make this role accessible to a wider range of candidates, including those who may not be able to commute to the Riyadh office daily.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• Technical interview with the CEO or a senior executive
• Final interview with the CEO or a senior executive, focusing on cultural fit and long-term goals

Key Assessment Areas:

• Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Communication and negotiation skills
• Understanding of the hospitality industry and relevant technologies
• Cultural fit and alignment with the company's mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Demonstrate your understanding of the hospitality industry and the role's requirements
• Showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking through specific examples
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the team, and the role's expectations

ATS Keywords: B2B Partnerships, Commercial Negotiation, Contract Management, Performance Optimization, Technical Integrations, API Integrations, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Product Understanding, Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Accountability, Relationship Management, Deal Optimization, International Experience, Outcome-Driven

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on finding a candidate who is a strong fit for the company's culture and has the required skills and experience.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• API documentation and SDKs (e.g., Postman, Swagger)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the company's internal systems and processes.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-centric
• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Passionate

Work Style:

• Results-driven
• Adaptable
• Proactive
• Collaborative
• detail-oriented

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of building and maintaining successful partnerships in the hospitality industry?
• Are you comfortable working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including property managers, OTAs, and internal teams?
• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment and enjoy the challenge of optimizing complex partnerships?

ASSUMPTION: Gathern values candidates who are passionate about their work, results-driven, and able to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large number of partners with varying needs and expectations
• Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day execution and problem-solving
• Adapting to a rapidly changing market and regulatory environment
• Working with international stakeholders and navigating cultural differences

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a strong, adaptable candidate with a proven track record in partnerships and business development.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional hospitality roles, this position focuses primarily on B2B partnerships and integrations, rather than day-to-day operations or guest management
• This role requires a strong understanding of both the supply and demand sides of the hospitality industry, as well as relevant technologies and APIs
• Career progression in this role may involve moving into a leadership position within the partnerships team or transitioning into a related field, such as business development or strategic planning

ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within the hospitality industry, requiring a specific set of skills and experiences that may not be found in more traditional hospitality roles.

📝 Sample Projects

• Negotiating and closing a strategic partnership with a major OTA to increase distribution and bookings
• Optimizing an existing partnership with a property management system to improve integration quality and performance
• Developing and implementing a new API-based integration with a distribution platform to expand market reach

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of tasks and initiatives that may be required in this role, but the specific projects may vary depending on the company's needs and priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the company support the growth and development of its partnerships team?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the partnerships team currently, and how can this role help address them?
• How does the company measure the success of its partnerships, and how will my performance be evaluated?
• What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the partnerships team or the company more broadly?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company, as well as to demonstrate their interest in and preparation for the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare for the interview by researching the company, the team, and the role's requirements
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the company, the team, and the role's expectations
• Follow up after the interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.