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Director of Strategy, Cruise & Tour

arrivia, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States


Overview

As the Director of Strategy, Cruise & Tour, you will serve as the strategic linchpin between our key supplier partners and our internal growth engines. This senior-level, remote role is responsible for leading partnership efforts with global cruise lines and tour operators to drive revenue, margin, and member value. The ideal candidate is a high-impact individual contributor who possesses a deep background in cruise products and a unique ability to translate supplier offerings into winning marketing and sales strategies. You will not only negotiate exclusive deals and co-op marketing plans but also ensure those promotions are flawlessly executed and communicated across the organization. Responsibilities

Supplier Relationship Management: Lead key partnership functions, including relationship management, special offer procurement, and product promotion. Strategic Planning: Collaborate with leadership to establish overall supplier strategy, identifying new partners and generating incremental opportunities with existing ones. Co-op Marketing: Develop and negotiate supplier co-op marketing plans to meet or exceed annual budgeted revenue and profit targets. Operational Integrity: Manage promotional content and fare codes within the Compass system to ensure exclusive and open-market offers are operational, bookable, and visible. Marketing & Sales Liaison: Select and recommend specific cruise/tour products to the marketing and sales teams, providing strategic content direction for key initiatives. Market Intelligence: Interact regularly with supplier contacts to gain insights on market trends, new ship deployments, and macro-market conditions to adjust strategies proactively. Internal Advocacy: Share strategies and champion partnership wins with the Senior Leadership Team and key leaders across the organization. Issue Resolution: Act as a high-level liaison between suppliers and internal staff to resolve escalations regarding service or customer issues. Performance Analysis: Conduct proactive analysis to maximize supplier revenue while supporting product sales and membership program goals. Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of travel marketing experience with a deep, specialized understanding of cruise sales, distribution sources, and individual brand knowledge. Education: Degree in Hospitality or Business required; a Master’s Degree or MBA is preferred. Technical Savvy: Familiarity with external data sources and 3rd-party research; ability to master internal booking systems and fare code management. Communication: Outstanding presentation skills and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership. Mindset: An intellectually curious, resilient, and proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment. Detail-Orientation: Exceptional attention to detail is required to ensure promotional accuracy and operational excellence.

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