Job SummaryThe Director, Distribution Strategy provides strategic leadership for Amtrak's third-party distribution ecosystem and owns the long-term roadmap for indirect sales channels, partner distribution models, channel economics, and business governance. This role is responsible for shaping how Amtrak expands reach, improves partner performance, reduces cost of sale, strengthens channel controls, and modernizes external distribution capabilities across corporate booking tools, travel agencies, tour operators, online travel agencies, GDS-related partners, technology aggregators, vacation partners, and other third-party points of sale.
This position leads the Distribution Strategy function within Corporate Partnerships, Distribution, and Revenue Technology. The Director partners closely with Corporate Partnerships (Sales), Revenue Management, Pricing, Commercial Strategy, Digital Technology, Cybersecurity, Finance, Legal, Customer Experience, Operations, and external distribution partners to align commercial objectives with scalable partner connectivity, reliable operations, data-driven insights, and future-state reservation capabilities.
The role is accountable for establishing distribution priorities, evaluating partner and channel opportunities, guiding integration strategy, shaping partner governance, supporting executive decision-making, and ensuring Amtrak's third-party distribution strategy evolves with reservation technology, future commercial platforms, and changing travel retailing expectations.
Essential FunctionsDistribution Strategy & Partner Management- Define and execute Amtrak's third-party distribution strategy and roadmap.
- Evaluate channel opportunities, partnerships, and emerging industry trends.
- Lead strategic relationships with key distribution, vacation, and point of sale partners and support commercial negotiations and business cases.
Distribution Transformation & Integration- Guide the distribution integration roadmap, including partner onboarding, migrations, and technology modernization initiatives.
- Ensure third-party impacts are considered for major reservation, payment, retailing, and servicing changes.
Performance & Analytics- Establish channel performance metrics, partner scorecards, and executive reporting.
- Identify opportunities to grow revenue, reduce cost of sale, and improve customer and partner experiences.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration- Lead and develop distribution team members while driving alignment across Commercial, Technology, Finance, Legal, Operations, and external partners.
- Establish governance, prioritization, and operating processes to support effective portfolio management.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Economics, Information Systems, Engineering, Transportation, Hospitality, Data Analytics, or a similar field, or equivalent combination of training, education, and relevant experience.
- Minimum 11 years of progressive experience in distribution strategy, commercial strategy, partnerships, travel technology, sales channels, product management, revenue management, digital commerce, business analysis, or transportation/travel industry roles, with at least 3 years leading cross-functional initiatives, partner programs, commercial technology roadmaps, or channel strategy.
Preferred Qualifications- Masters's Degree in Business, Economics, Information Systems, Engineering, Transportation, Hospitality, Data Analytics, or a similar field, or equivalent combination of training, education, and relevant experience.
- Plus 13 years of relevant work experience.
- Experience in rail, airline, hospitality, rental car, or other travel/transportation environments.
- Experience leading third-party distribution, B2B/API partner strategy, partner integrations, channel strategy, commercial platform transformation, or travel retailing initiatives.
- Experience with reservation systems, retailing platforms, offer/order management, payments, fraud controls, loyalty, pricing, revenue management, PNR/order management, or after-sales servicing.
- Experience developing partner scorecards, channel strategies, cost-of-sale recommendations, contract inputs, executive presentations, business cases, and multi-year roadmaps.
- Experience leading partner migration, certification, launch readiness, cutover planning, organizational change management, or stabilization activities for major technology transformations.
- Experience managing direct reports or leading matrixed teams across business, technology, analytics, and external partner functions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Experience developing and executing distribution, partnership, or commercial growth strategies.
- Strong understanding of travel, transportation, e-commerce, or related distribution ecosystems.
- Ability to translate business objectives into actionable plans, priorities, and roadmaps.
- Strong analytical and financial skills, with experience evaluating performance metrics, business cases, and growth opportunities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leaders.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and collaborating across business, technology, and external partner organizations.
- Technical aptitude and ability to work effectively with digital platforms, integrations, and technology teams.
- Proven ability to identify and mitigate operational, commercial, and organizational risks.
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching, team development, and prioritization.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with collaboration, analytics, or project delivery tools.
Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands• On-site role; Washington, DC preferred with other locations along the northeast corridor available.
• Occasional on-site work may be required for executive reviews, partner meetings, vendor sessions, planning workshops, testing events, release/cutover activities, or major launch milestones.
• Up to 25% travel may be required to meet with internal stakeholders, external partners, technology vendors, industry forums, or commercial partners.
• Work may require coordination across multiple time zones, partners, vendors, and internal teams.
• Some work outside standard business hours may be required during partner launches, production incidents, release windows, cutover events, or significant channel disruptions.
The salary/hourly range is $163,000.00 - $211,140.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
Health and WellbeingFinancial and RetirementWork and Family Life SupportHealth, Dental, and Vision Insurance401K with Employer MatchGenerous Paid Time Off Wellness ProgramsRailroad Retirement BenefitsPaid Caregiving Days and Backup CareHealth Savings AccountPublic Service Student Loan ForgivenessFertility and Family Building BenefitsNo-cost Personal Health AdvocateStudent Loan AssistanceAdoption and Surrogacy AssistanceMedical Plan Opt-out CreditTuition and Education ReimbursementPaid Family Leave Life InsuranceRail Pass Privileges Short- and Long-term Disability InsuranceEmployee Assistance Program No-cost Financial Advisor SessionsCommuter and Flexible Spending Accounts
Learn more about our benefits offerings here.
Requisition ID:167009
Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%
