business development manager

sales

travel coordinator

Unique Vacations

Let's make one thing CLEAR! This is a Dream Job. I know by the ratings I gave it seems otherwise but i can assure its not. First let's talk about the function of the position. 
Business Development Manager of a territory assigned (surrounding areas of where you live) you are responsible for the growth of the territory. It's not your average sales role that you'll typically encounter B2B or B2C. This role is more like B2TA(Travel Advisor) you have to educate, encourage, and some times even restructure their business. This is in order for them to book "SANDALS" higher than they did the previous year. Which to me is exciting, training someone to be good enough to book the sale without you directly involved, just indirectly is unique (no pun intended). You're given a company car where you keep appointments to meet with the agent and more or less see where they are in their own prospective business and obviously "book more sandals" first and foremost. You can co-op events with them as well, for example bridal shows where a Travel Advisor can get general inquires of places where young couples will want to go for vacation after they tie the knot. We would jointly work the event under the terms that we are exclusively the headliner. Along with performing duties like driving deep into your territory to meet with advisors for marketing calls its pretty simple "STATE SIDE" after putting in the work with the travel advisors there is a time of the year where we would do "FAMS" which are resort tours where we hand select some advisors that have sold the brand or have strong will to sell the brand can come and actually see the resort and stay there for 3 days (Travel Advisors pay for their own flight), where they get educated on the resort (and surrounding resorts) so when its time to recommend a resort for a couple the Travel advisor will have "unique knowledge" on the resort having been there. Thus putting the correct couple at the correct resort so expectations are fulfilled. Simple role right? The challenges of this role weren't anything you really couldn't conquer if you put your mind to it and be creative. But the "How" part of how our management wanted us to do things made the job really difficult. For example wardrobe when representing a resort you would" Think" someone selling a resort would be able to dress more relaxed not wall street. Just on the super formal attire its challenging for someone to really trust you especially if you look just like a "corporate employee." Men if you have a bread that you love....guess what? you have to shave it. Ladies dress skit must be below the knees certain hair colors  you cannot have.VERY CONSERVATIVE. I know as a company employees can take advantage thats why i understand some of their methodologies, although dated I understand. They can be hovering in terms of hovering over you while you work. Im recollecting my personal experience. i do think even managements superiors needs some refreshing but i dont think they're ready for that conversation. Its a good role if your single no kids because it will be your life as the work life balance is tough but the lifestyle itself is "SPECIAL" catching flights, growign your territory meeting great people working for a great brand. Im not going to lie i DAY DREAM ABOUT IT ALOT!!!!!! but its not being run correctly which takes the allure out of the role. I woulnt say dont apply to this, because that would be hate. I would say this if you were to apply or get this role have fun but know the workload can really stress you and management isnt really the best aiding. I hope this helps 

There are many managers that have been there for a very long time, over 20 years. They should’ve cleaned house along time ago. Some of the managers have never worked for another company and the culture is very strange. They’ve never been trained on how to manage people, they don’t have very high emotional intelligence and don’t know how to communicate.

If you work in a territory without a major city, you’re going to be working so much harder than those working in LA, Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, or Miami. The goals are the same no matter where you live. If you don’t live in one of those cities, you’re never going to win any of the awards and you’re never going to be a favorite.

You might think being able to go to the resorts for work is a benefit. Many of your friends and family might even say “oh I wish I had your job” but going to the resorts is one of my least favorite parts about the job. You get up at 6 AM and work till midnight, you really don’t get to enjoy the resort and it’s almost as if you could be in a meeting room in Detroit rather than Jamaica.

You won’t be getting any commission for about the first nine months and nobody tells you that when they hire you. The first six months you’re not eligible for a commission, then you need to work three more months to be eligible, and then you have to wait a month or two to finally get paid. Plan on working about 10 months just on your base salary.

You get a company car, but the rules are so strict that you almost wish you didn’t have one. You could be a BDM at most any other travel company and work half as hard as you do here. Plan on working in the field from 9 to 5 and then doing administrative work every night instead of spending time with your family. There are lots of weekends for wedding shows and other events and there are a lot of mid week evenings doing webinars and Customer events.

It is a good place to start. There is a large learning curve in the business, as it is privately owned, and much of what is done/required is Ad-Hoc. Starting Salaries are only slightly above what most people would need to survive, though they do give a minimum cost of living increase each year. You can get lucky if management is aware of your performance and get significant boosts, but often that might require you to ask for it, rather than just sit around and wait, while doing good work. There can be a very large gap between what you are paid and what your peers are paid. They have started annual reviews, but you don't ever receive any meaningful feedback form management. Foreigners get more benefits than locals, in general (cell phones, cars, subsidized housing).

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working for UVI is the "family" atmosphere not only on the islands but also within the Sales Team.   Meeting staff on the islands, working with Travel Agents in your territory and working with your sales team was educational, FUN and inspiring. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working with UVI was airline flights which is out of our control.  Delays, cancellations, etc. are never fun. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment and culture are fast paced and challenging.

The company is very exciting to be with the first 6 months - you get to travel and the perks that come with it is amazing (company car, match 401K, lunch/dinner reimbursed and you get to explore your territory allowing you to learn more of it)
Nothing is constant and things changes very quickly with the company,  Management are order takers and really are not able to make their own decision therefore we the staff are order takers and really cannot implement things before constantly going through management.  The most enjoyable part of the job is the flexibility and no two days being the same

One of the most uniqueness about Unique vacation are the co-workers there. The supervisors are extremely helpful and the staff are amazing. The culture is great. The staff are fun, exceedingly productive at the same time. This job also provide great opportunities. Opportunity to travel around the Caribbean to view the Sandals Resort and have an exciting experience.

You will be on an island all by yourself with little support.  No real training so it is up to you.  Pay is low and while some weeks you may not work too much, most you are on the phone or on the road 12 - 14 hours a day.  Oh, then you have to do weekend shows.  So say good-bye to 2 - 3 weekends a month.  So, if you don't mind working way too much for peanuts, and you have no friends or family that you value, this is your gig!

+3 year employee

The best company to work for until New Management took over!
No respect, no core value, do as your told and don't complain, working blindly, no guidelines and expect you to read minds. No value of your time, no respect as a person. Such a shame as this was an amazing company to work for and has gone down the drain. Work endless hours and no compensation for your time. Cant make up their minds, duties change daily and when your getting use to them they are changed without notice.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Nothing
Very unprofessional. No room for improvement.workers are treated like slaves

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
People shouting at you. Slot of micro management 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic. Favouritism, corporate culture non

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stressfully. Disorganized, better management is needed

My overall experience with this company was extremely disappointing. I went into it wholeheartedly believing that this place would be a great experience and a fun place to work. Turns out that the employees here were very unfriendly and spoke horribly about each other. Not to mention that there was so much inappropriate behavior and harassment going on within those walls. I'd never recommend this employer or this company to anyone.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Business development manager 34 salaries reported	$62,882 per year
Sales 4 salaries reported	$52,250 per year
Travel coordinator 1 salary reported	$40,000 per year

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