Brigitte Hidalgo
Senior Consultant | Digital Transformation
Salary / Daily rate
Barcelona, Spain
Freelance, open to permanent contract
Skills
Languages
About me
Intro
Seasoned C-Level executive with 20+ years of experience in digital transformation and business growth, specializing in scaling organizations to sustainable profitability. Led successful transformations at Weekendesk as CEO, growing from 0€ to 30M€ annually and managing 15M€+ budgets across 5 European markets. Skilled at navigating complex challenges, optimizing operations, and implementing innovative strategies that deliver measurable results.
Work experience
Senior Consultant / Advisor / Board member
Various CompaniesFreelance
Jan 2025 - Present
1 year 10 months
As a seasoned C-Level executive with over 20 years of experience in the travel and gift industries, I specialize in guiding organizations through digital transformation, product development, and scaling strategies to achieve sustainable profitability. My expertise lies in navigating complex business challenges, optimizing operations, and delivering innovative solutions that drive growth. Proven track record in GTM strategies, leadership, and organizational change.
Weekendesk
Jun 2010 - Dec 2024
14 years 7 months
Barcelona, Spain
CEO
Jun 2023 - Dec 2024
1 year 7 months
Barcelona, Spain
• Led a strong COMEX of 6 Directors in Product, Tech, Data, Sales, Marketing, and Finance at Weekendesk, focusing on leadership development and KPI-driven methodologies. • Designed and executed a strategic plan to diversify the traditional business model, resulting in a full range of profitable gift products. • Oversaw an annual budget of >15M € revenues, reporting to Smartbox Group CEO and Otium VC.
Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO
Sep 2019 - Jul 2023
3 years 11 months
Barcelona, Spain
Chief Operating Officer COO -Right hand of CEO, member of the board, with 7 direct reports -Oversaw all company operations and employee productivity, with direct responsibilities on sales, marketing, call center and operations teams -Collaborated closely with the CFO on global budgeting and cost control initiatives -Developed from scratch the B2B distribution, achieving a constant growth YOY thanks to important deals signed with major actors of the travel industry so as big corporations -Implemented sales and marketing recovery plans post COVID-19 and launched new range of offers: Weekend deals, Night in the city, Less than 2 hours, etc
VP of Sales
Jan 2014 - Oct 2019
5 years 10 months
Barcelona, Spain
-Reporting to the CEO, managed sales operations across 5 markets with a team of over 90 staff members (SDR's, Account Managers, Contracting Managers, Area and Team Leads) -In charge of the growth strategy of all Weekendesk markets: France, Spain, Benelux and Italy with more than 8k providers directly contracted (hotels and activities) -Led the centralization of our sales team in Barcelona by recruiting new talent and closing our offices in Paris and Brussels without impacting business performance -Launched and developed new markets from scratch: Italy and Netherlands -Business stakeholder of product and tech departments to improve market adaptability -Boosted annual revenue by setting in place a Key Account Management strategy
Country Manager Spain
Jun 2010 - Dec 2013
3 years 7 months
-Responsible for the successful launch of Weekendesk in Spain (from 0 € to 30M €/ Year) -Start up creation, including legal and administrative first steps -Team recruitment and development (from 0 to 30 people in 2 years) -Designed and implemented the prospection plan ensuring 2k properties contracted in Y2 -Actively contributed with HQ teams to deploy specific digital marketing plan: SEO, CRM and search -Public and external representation of the company
VP of Sales
Sercotel Hotels
Nov 2007 - Jul 2010
2 years 9 months
-Hotel Chain 160 properties. 120M € turnover, > 200 FTEs -Responsible for the sales team (12 pax) and reporting to the CCO -Supervised sales of associated hotels and in charge of achieving other KPI’s (RevPar, % occupancy rate, sales by channel) -Key Account Negotiation in charge of managing 15 M € yearly contracts -In charge of starting up the international sales strategy from scratch, managed to increase by 5 points weight of foreign markets in one year by closing important leisure and corporate deals Sales
Sales Director
Gran Hotel Balneario Blancafort
Nov 2006 - Dec 2007
1 year 2 months
•Spa & Meeting centre resort, 5 star-hotel, located 20 km away from Barcelona •Reporting directly to the General Manager, leading a team of 7 people: reservations, sales and marketing department •Responsible for establishing and directing the sales strategy of the hotel, among national and international markets. . Monitoring budgets •Direct negotiations with key players and target accounts (Mice & Corporate Segments) •Developing and implementing programs to pursue new market opportunities, in order to maximise revenue. •Developing the image and brand of the hotel
Sales Manager at Husa President Park Hotel, Brussels
HUSA
May 2005 - Oct 2006
1 year 6 months
•4 star hotel belonging to Husa Hoteles •297 rooms and 15 meeting rooms. .Reporting directly to Director of Sales, directly leading a team of 3 persons (reservations and internal sales) •Soliciting and securing new business in the corporate local market. •Developing and implementing sales of key accounts, Spanish and global markets •Responsible for pricing strategies for on line distribution channels. Yield management. Managing Nexus and Trust systems of Worldhotels. •Responsible for negotiating, contracting, managing relationships with customers and clients, developing and implementing sales strategies according to the hotel chain goals.
Education
SDA Bocconi
EMMS
2009 - 2010
1 year 1 month
Esade
MBA in Marketing and Sales
2009 - 2010
1 year 1 month
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Bachelor in Hospitality Management
1998 - 2002
4 years 1 month