Sales Director – Southern CA and SW US
Swan Hellenic Limited, Town of Florida, NY, United States
We are seeking a high-performing Regional Sales Director (RSD) to develop and manage sales initiatives within the Southern CA and SW U.S. region. This position will oversee agency and key account partners across the Southern California and the Western United States, specifically including Southern California (LA and San Bernadino County South), Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico based on strategic coverage needs. The ideal candidate will be a strategic sales hunter and relationship builder with a deep understanding of the luxury and expedition travel markets. This role will focus on driving B2B sales through agency partnerships, increasing full-ship charters, group business, and new-to-brand FIT sales.
Key Responsibilities
- Revenue Generation & Account Development
- Build and manage strong partnerships with key accounts, top-tier travel advisors, consortia, and luxury agency networks.
- Actively pursue charter and group business opportunities aligned with Swan Hellenic’s expedition product.
- Conduct 20+ weekly client engagements (in-person or virtual) to drive sales and nurture relationships.
- Identify and convert new-to-brand opportunities, particularly through strategic agency outreach and niche market targeting.
Sales Strategy & Execution
- Design and execute regional sales plans with clear KPIs, focusing on long-term growth and consistent pipeline generation.
- Analyze territory potential, competitor activity, and booking trends to refine approach.
- Create annual business plans, promotional budgets, and forecasting reports to support growth targets.
Training, Events & Trade Support
- Deliver in-depth product training and destination education to frontline advisors and agency owners.
- Represent Swan Hellenic at luxury travel shows, industry conferences, and agency-hosted client events.
- Actively promote Swan Hellenic’s unique differentiators (e.g., cultural enrichment, polar expeditions, small ship design).
Reporting & CRM Discipline
- Track progress using internal CRM tools, maintaining a clean pipeline and performance reporting.
- Submit accurate monthly reports and participate in weekly sales team calls with global leadership.
- Manage expenses in line with corporate travel and entertainment budgets.
Marketing & Brand Advocacy
- Serve as the face of Swan Hellenic in the region, conveying our values of discovery, enrichment, and authenticity.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Global Sales to support regional campaigns, digital promotions, and co-branded agency initiatives.
- Proactively sharing content, offers, and insights with trade partners across social and email channels.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years in luxury travel sales, with experience in cruises, expedition travel, or cultural tours strongly preferred.
- Proven success in delivering revenue growth, securing new agency partnerships, and managing a defined territory.
- Existing relationships within the Southern CA and SW U.S. luxury travel trade are a strong asset.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic thinker with a proactive sales approach and strong closing ability.
- High-level communicator with excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Self-starter, comfortable working remotely with minimal oversight, while being a collaborative team player.
- Proficient in CRM platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual meeting tools.
Requirements
- Based in Southern California, legally authorized to work in the U.S.
- Able to travel up to 70%, including multiple nights away from home per week.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Tourism or equivalent experience.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required.