Executive Director, UK & Ireland

MSC Cruises; Woking; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative luxury travel brand is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead its UK & Ireland operations. This pivotal role involves driving strategic growth, optimizing business development, and managing a high-performing commercial team. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive network and leadership skills to establish valuable partnerships and enhance brand presence in the luxury travel market. If you are passionate about redefining luxury travel and ready to make a significant impact, this opportunity awaits you. Join a forward-thinking company where your vision can transform the way people discover the world by sea.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in luxury cruise or travel industries.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads go-to-market strategy for the UK, focusing on business development.
• Identifies strategic partnerships to enhance brand visibility.

Skills

Leadership

Sales Networking

Negotiation

Interpersonal Skills

Data Analysis

Education

10+ years in luxury cruise, travel, or hospitality

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

PowerPoint

Job description

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Where passion meets opportunity

Discover your journey into the extraordinary.

Your Purpose

Our newly established luxury travel brand, Explora Journeys, is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to oversee and drive the overall strategic direction and growth of our UK & Ireland operations. This key leadership role involves managing the commercial team, identifying and unlocking new business development opportunities and ensuring operational excellence across all functions.

Under the direction of the Global Head of Commercial Strategy & Sales Operations, the Executive Director UK & Ireland will be responsible for setting long-term goals, developing business strategies, and positioning Explora Journeys as the most desired brand in the luxury travel industry.

The position is located at our office in Woking.

Your Impact

1. Leads and executes the overarching go-to-market strategy for the UK, focusing on optimizing trade partner relationships and driving sustainable business development in the B2C channel.
2. Identifies and establishes high-value strategic partnerships aligned with our brand's positioning, aimed at expanding brand awareness, driving direct sales and enhancing market presence.
3. Fosters and nurtures long-term business relationships to elevate brand visibility and desirability, underpinned by a comprehensive and targeted communication strategy.
4. Collaborates closely with key stakeholders across the MSC Group to leverage distribution networks, marketing platforms, and cross-functional synergies, ensuring consistent brand messaging and alignment with company policies and pricing integrity.
5. Drives data-informed decision-making by conducting strategic business analysis, using key performance indicators to support revenue growth and successfully meet both gross and net revenue targets.
6. Champions group, incentive and charter business development across the UK & Ireland market, positioning Explora Journeys as the leading luxury brand in this segment.
7. Oversees and optimizes the budget management and forecasting processes, applying a deep understanding of channel mix dynamics and acquisition cost efficiency to maximize profitability.
8. Leads, mentors, and empowers the commercial team in UK & Ireland, fostering a culture of excellence and high performance while driving alignment with the overall strategic goals of Explora Journeys.
9. Collaborates with headquarters in Switzerland on strategic initiatives, business reviews, and long-term growth plans to ensure seamless execution and alignment with corporate objectives.

Your Journey so far

1. Minimum of 10 years of experience in a similar role in the luxury cruise, travel, or hospitality industries.
2. Excellent sales network or well-known contact base and good knowledge of partners/major customers in the travel industry in UK & Ireland.
3. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop talent.
4. Excellent presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
5. Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint.

Your Essentials

The existing right to live and work in the UK is required.

At Explora Journeys, we are redefining luxury ocean travel - where discovery, well-being, and a deep respect for the seas come together in harmony. We seek passionate professionals who share our vision of a more immersive, transformative way to discover the world's most inspiring destinations by sea. Are you ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at Explora Journeys, where an ocean of opportunities awaits. Your journey to the Ocean State of Mind starts here.