Head of Host Agency Partnerships

Founding Partnerships Hire | Pagoda Pro

About Pagoda Travel

Pagoda Travel is a Japan-based travel technology company building the first marketplace infrastructure designed specifically for host agencies and travel advisors.

The advisor industry still operates through fragmented supplier relationships, outdated DMC models, spreadsheets, and endless email coordination. We have built a platform that gives advisors and agencies direct access to vetted local operators, transparent net pricing, streamlined operations, and significantly stronger commission potential.

Pagoda Travel first launched in Japan as an OTA in 2023 before introducing its marketplace platform in 2025 — a purpose-built infrastructure layer designed specifically for travel advisors and host agencies.

Since launch, the platform has onboarded 120+ travel advisors organically through word of mouth, alongside 150+ certified guides and 300+ live tours across Japan.

Pagoda Pro — our dedicated host agency platform — launches in late 2026.

This is not another booking engine or generic travel marketplace. We are building infrastructure specifically for the advisor ecosystem.

Japan is our launch market, with Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia planned for expansion in 2027.

The Role

We are looking for someone who already understands the host agency and travel advisor world — someone comfortable speaking directly with agency founders, industry leaders, and experienced advisors.

This role is focused entirely on partnerships and growth.

You will be responsible for:

1. Identifying and reaching out to host agencies
2. Building relationships with agency founders and leadership teams
3. Managing partnership conversations from introduction to signed agreement
4. Supporting advisor adoption within onboarded agencies
5. Representing Pagoda Travel within advisor communities and industry events

This is a highly entrepreneurial role with direct access to the founder and meaningful influence on the company’s growth.

Who We Are Looking For

1. Experience in the host agency, travel advisor, tour operator, DMC, or travel technology space
2. Proven ability to build relationships and close partnerships
3. Existing industry relationships are a major advantage
4. Strong understanding of how advisors, commissions, suppliers, and host agencies operate
5. Comfortable operating independently and building your own pipeline
6. Confident speaking with founders and senior decision makers
7. US-based preferred

If you have spent time inside the advisor industry, you already understand how difficult it is to get meaningful supplier access, transparent pricing, and operational efficiency at scale. That is exactly the problem we are solving.

Compensation

1. This is an early-stage opportunity with substantial upside.
2. Compensation scales alongside company growth and onboarded partnerships. Performance incentives are tied directly to results.
3. Equity participation of up to 5% is available for the right candidate.
4. There is also a clear path toward long-term leadership as the company expands internationally.

How to Apply

Before applying, please review our website and familiarize yourself with our platform and mission.

Please send a short email including:

1. Your background in the travel industry
2. Your familiarity with host agencies or advisor networks
3. Any existing industry relationships you have
4. How you would approach reaching host agency founders directly
5. Your resume or LinkedIn profile

We are not looking for polished corporate answers — we are looking for someone who genuinely understands this industry and knows how to build trusted relationships within it.

John Bos

Founder | Pagoda Travel | hello@pagoda.travel | Pagoda Travel⁠