Group Reservations & Distribution Manager

The Sands Kenya is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Group Reservations & Distribution Manager to lead the central reservations function across all its properties. This is a pivotal role within the group's revenue and operations structure, responsible for ensuring seamless booking experiences, optimised channel distribution, and consistent reservations standards across every Sands Kenya property.

The successful candidate will combine strong team leadership with hands-on operational expertise, balancing strategic oversight of OTA and distribution channels with the day-to-day management of reservations workflows, billing accuracy, and cross-property coordination. If you thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment and have a passion for driving revenue performance through smart distribution and excellent service, this role is for you.

• Manage and optimise OTA listings, availability, content, and channel performance across all Sands Kenya properties.
• Monitor and enforce rate parity across all distribution channels, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Negotiate and manage OTA agreements, travel agent contracts, and corporate rate contracting.
• Analyse booking trends and identify revenue opportunities to support the group's commercial goals.
• Lead, coach, and develop the central reservations team, setting clear performance standards and response time benchmarks.
• Provide operational cover during staff absences and periods of high demand to maintain service continuity.
• Design and continuously improve reservations procedures, workflows, and SOPs.
• Oversee all direct reservation channels including email, WhatsApp, telephone, website, and agent enquiries.
• Ensure accurate processing of bookings, amendments, cancellations, special requests, and group reservations.
• Manage deposit collection, invoice issuance, refund processing, and reservation-related billing in coordination with the Finance team.
• Liaise with all property teams regarding live availability, rate updates, special requests, and operational requirements.
• Maintain consistent reservations practices and communication standards across all properties in the group.

• Minimum 4 years of experience in a reservations or distribution role within the hospitality industry, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and optimise OTA platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, etc.) and channel managers effectively.
• Proficient in Opera PMS or a comparable property management system; able to train others and troubleshoot system issues.
• Experience with TravelBook Group (TBG) or similar group reservation platforms is a strong advantage.
• Proven track record of managing multi-property or group reservations operations, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Ability to analyse channel performance data and translate insights into actionable revenue strategies.
• Strong contracting and negotiation skills with OTAs, agents, and corporate accounts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage internal coordination across multiple properties.
• Demonstrated leadership capability — able to set team direction, resolve performance issues, and maintain morale.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail in billing, booking accuracy, and documentation.

The Sands Kenya offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and the scope of this group-level role. Based on Kenyan hospitality market benchmarks, the estimated monthly gross salary for this position ranges from KES 150,000 to KES 250,000. Additional benefits typical of a group hospitality role may apply.

This role is ideal for a hospitality professional with a strong reservations and distribution background who is ready to step into or grow within a group-level management position. You are commercially minded, operationally excellent, and capable of leading a team while managing the details. You enjoy building systems that work, and you communicate confidently across departments and properties.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 4 years of relevant hospitality reservations experience, have no exposure to OTA management or channel distribution, or are not comfortable working in a hands-on operational role alongside team leadership responsibilities.

• Prepare an updated CV highlighting your reservations and distribution management experience.
• Write a brief cover letter outlining your OTA management expertise, systems proficiency (especially Opera PMS), and any multi-property experience.
• Submit your application through The Sands Kenya's official careers page or the job platform where this posting was listed.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening interview followed by a panel interview with the group leadership team.