Remote Manager – State Higher Education Travel Accounts – Business Travel Sales Leadership at arenaflex

About arenaflex – Connecting People to What Matters

arenaflex is a leading airline committed to delivering friendly, reliable, and low‑cost air travel to millions of passengers each year. Our purpose is simple yet powerful: connect people to what’s important in their lives. In addition to serving leisure travelers, arenaflex has built a robust corporate travel platform that supports government agencies, educational institutions, and large enterprises across the United States. As part of our arenaflex Business Vision, we aim to be the preferred carrier for business travel, offering innovative solutions that simplify travel management, reduce costs, and enhance the traveler experience.

Position Overview – Remote Manager, State Higher Education Travel Accounts

arenaflex is seeking a dynamic, results‑driven leader to join our Business Department as the Manager, State Higher Education. This remote role will spearhead the strategic direction and execution of our State, Local, and Higher Education (SLED) managed travel accounts. You will coach, develop, and inspire a team of Field Government Account Managers, while also building a high‑performing sales organization of trusted advisors in the managed travel industry.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Fully remote work with occasional travel for training, conferences, and strategic meetings.
• Opportunity to shape the future of arenaflex’s corporate travel programs for the education sector.
• Direct influence on revenue growth, partnership development, and brand awareness within state and higher‑education travel accounts.
• Leadership of a fast‑growing, innovative team that operates at the intersection of aviation and public‑sector travel management.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the sales strategy for SLED accounts, aligning with arenaflex’s broader business objectives.
• Team Development: Coach, mentor, and professionally develop Field Government Account Managers, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to succeed.
• Talent Acquisition: Identify, recruit, hire, onboard, and train a high‑caliber sales organization of trusted advisors specialized in managed travel.
• Revenue Growth: Drive sales performance, meet or exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets, and expand arenaflex’s footprint within state, local, and higher‑education travel programs.
• Partnership Management: Establish formal partnerships with government agencies and educational institutions, fostering long‑term relationships that enhance travel program adoption.
• Program Promotion: Increase awareness of arenaflex’s corporate travel solutions, highlighting cost‑saving features, reliability, and customer service excellence.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making: Leverage analytics and market insights to refine sales tactics, forecast demand, and identify emerging opportunities.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure all activities adhere to federal, state, and local regulations governing government travel procurement.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with marketing, product, operations, and finance teams to deliver seamless travel experiences for SLED customers.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in B2B sales, preferably within the airline, travel, or managed‑travel industry.
• Proven track record of leading and scaling sales teams that serve government or higher‑education clients.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve and surpass revenue targets in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
• Strong understanding of state, local, and higher‑education travel procurement processes and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior decision‑makers.
• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available.
• Willingness to travel periodically for training, meetings, and industry conferences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Aviation Management, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) and data analytics tools.
• Background in change management or organizational development.
• Familiarity with arenaflex’s corporate travel platform or similar airline business‑travel solutions.
• Multilingual abilities, especially Spanish, to support diverse stakeholder groups.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Leadership & Coaching: Ability to inspire, develop, and retain top talent.
• Strategic Thinking: Visionary mindset with a focus on long‑term growth.
• Analytical Acumen: Comfort interpreting data to drive actionable insights.
• Customer‑Centricity: Deep empathy for client needs and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast‑changing environment and manage ambiguity effectively.
• Collaboration: Strong team player who can build bridges across functional areas.
• Technology Savvy: Proficiency with digital collaboration tools, virtual meeting platforms, and travel‑management software.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its leaders. In this role, you will have access to:

• Executive mentorship programs that connect you with senior arenaflex leaders.
• Industry conferences and workshops focused on government travel procurement and higher‑education mobility.
• Continuous learning resources, including online courses, certifications, and internal training modules.
• Clear pathways to senior leadership positions within arenaflex’s global business travel division.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our culture is built on the pillars of friendliness, reliability, and affordability. We celebrate diversity, encourage innovative thinking, and empower employees to take ownership of their work. As a remote employee, you will enjoy:

• A flexible work‑from‑home arrangement that respects work‑life balance.
• Regular virtual team‑building events and collaborative spaces to stay connected.
• An inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Access to arenaflex’s employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives, and community outreach activities.

Compensation, Perks, & Benefits (General Overview)

arenaflex offers a competitive total rewards package that includes:

• Base salary commensurate with experience and market benchmarks.
• Performance‑based bonuses tied to individual and team achievements.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings options with company matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and sick leave.
• Travel perks such as discounted airline tickets for you and eligible family members.
• Professional development stipend for certifications, conferences, and continuing education.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) and mental‑health resources.

Eligibility & Location Restrictions

This remote position is open to candidates residing in the United States, with the exception of the following states and territories where remote work is not permitted: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have current work authorization; sponsorship is not available.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

arenaflex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively seek to reflect the communities we serve and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our recruitment process is designed to be fair, transparent, and inclusive.

Ready to Lead the Future of SLED Travel at arenaflex?

If you are a strategic, people‑focused leader with a passion for aviation and public‑sector travel, we invite you to join arenaflex’s mission‑driven team. Bring your expertise, vision, and energy to a role where you can truly make an impact on the way state, local, and higher‑education institutions travel.

Apply Job!