Head of Travel and Gaming

Head of Travel and Gaming – Overview

Join us as a Head of Travel and Gaming, where you will lead strategic initiatives, optimise performance, and drive sustainable commercial growth across the UK client base. You will collaborate with the Hospitality & Leisure, Travel and Gaming Leadership team to shape the future direction of the Travel and Gaming portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic direction for sales, including up‑to‑date methodologies and processes.
• Manage sales risk across the organisation and align sales with compliance functions.
• Oversee sales performance, set departmental goals and objectives, and monitor financial performance (revenue, profitability, cost control).
• Conduct market research to understand trends, competitive landscape and regulatory changes, and identify market opportunities.
• Plan resources, budgets and policies; manage and maintain policies/processes; deliver continuous improvements and address policy breaches.
• Define roles and responsibilities, plan for future departmental needs, counsel employees on performance, and contribute to pay decisions.
• Lead specialist teams, guide collaborative multi‑year assignments, and coach junior specialists.
• Advise key stakeholders, including functional leadership and senior management, on functional and cross‑functional impacts.
• Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls within the team.
• Collaborate with other business areas to keep up to speed with activity and strategy.
• Create solutions based on sophisticated analytical thought, comparing alternatives and selecting complex solutions.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders using influencing and negotiating skills.
• Inspire, coach and develop high‑performing teams, ensuring strong sales coaching experience.
• Deliver on commercial objectives, exceeding sales targets and KPIs, and maintain excellent client communication and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of supporting teams to deliver and exceed sales targets.
• Excellent client communication and negotiation skills across a range of stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of the travel sector and demonstrated experience within payments, including sales, account management and leadership responsibilities.
• Experience leading change initiatives and guiding teams through transformational periods.

Desired Skills / Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sales reporting and performance analysis.
• Established network or knowledge of travel or gaming industry contacts.
• Strong sales presentation skills and the ability to influence and engage clients effectively.
• Effective communication skills for engaging stakeholders across the organisation.
• Experience monitoring customer satisfaction, proactively addressing feedback and resolving issues promptly.
• Ability to analyse market trends and client feedback to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement.
• Key critical skills: risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking, digital and technology expertise, and job‑specific technical skills.

Values and Mindset

All colleagues will demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship, and the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive.