Head of Cruise Product

Travel Trade Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Travel Trade Recruitment are supporting a leading travel business in Birmingham to hire a Head of Cruise Product. You will own the full cruise product lifecycle, spotting opportunities, securing exclusive deals, and launching innovative holidays that drive commercial success.

You will lead the Product team, shape strategy with senior leadership, negotiate with cruise lines and suppliers, and build partnerships across destinations.

Qualifications

• Experience in shaping cruise product strategy.
• Strong supplier negotiation and costing skills.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a product team.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new cruise holidays from concept to launch.
• Negotiate rates, allocations and commercial terms with cruise lines and suppliers.
• Manage existing portfolio, pricing, stock and profitability.
• Develop partnerships with destinations, hotels and other stakeholders.
• Lead, coach and develop the Product team.

Skills

Cruise product development

Supplier relationship management

Commercial mindset

Team leadership

Negotiation skills

Job description

Ready to take the helm of an ambitious cruise product portfolio? This is an opportunity to lead, shape and grow a cruise product programme with real ambition.

My client are looking for an exceptional Head of Cruise Product to take ownership of the full cruise product lifecycle - from spotting the next big opportunity and securing exclusive deals, through to launching innovative new holidays and driving their commercial success.

You'll bring your cruise expertise, commercial instinct and supplier relationships to a role where you can genuinely make your mark. You'll have the opportunity to create unique cruise experiences, negotiate outstanding commercial terms, develop new destinations and partnerships, and ultimately shape what customers see and buy.

But this role is about more than product. You'll also lead and develop the Product team, introduce smarter ways of working and create a high-performing culture where great ideas, commercial thinking and attention to detail go hand in hand. Working closely with senior leadership, Sales, Marketing, Operations, cruise lines and international suppliers, you'll be a key driving force behind the continued growth of the cruise programme. If you know cruise, understand what makes a product sell and have the commercial confidence to turn opportunities into outstanding holidays, this could be your next big move.

The Role;

As Head of Cruise Product, you'll be at the heart of the business, responsible for ensuring the cruise programme remains innovative, commercially strong and highly competitive.

You'll identify opportunities to create unique and differentiated cruise holidays, combining cruises with hotels, touring, rail journeys and carefully selected experiences to create products that customers can't easily find elsewhere.

You'll also play a key role in securing exclusive departures, group allocations, competitive pricing and strong commercial terms, working closely with cruise lines, DMCs, hotels and other international suppliers.

Alongside developing new products, you'll take overall responsibility for the existing portfolio - ensuring the right products, at the right price, with the right stock, are available to maximise both customer demand and profitability.

Role details;

• Lead the development of new cruise holidays from initial concept through to launch.
• Identify new destinations, cruise opportunities and product concepts that can differentiate the business in a competitive market.
• Develop innovative cruise packages incorporating hotels, touring, rail and other experiences.
• Negotiate competitive rates, allocations, payment terms and commercial agreements with cruise lines and suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for exclusive departures, group bookings and special allocations.
• Manage the performance of the existing product portfolio, monitoring sales, stock, pricing and profitability.
• Take ownership of product costing and pricing, ensuring holidays are commercially viable and competitively positioned.
• Maintain a clear product pipeline and ensure new opportunities are brought to market effectively.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cruise lines, DMCs, hotels and overseas suppliers.
• Manage contracted inventory, supplier deadlines, cancellation terms and financial commitments.
• Ensure product information is accurate and consistently maintained across all systems and sales channels.
• Regularly review the portfolio, making informed decisions about which products to develop, refresh or remove.
• Take overall responsibility for product quality and the customer experience.
• Lead, manage and develop the Product team, creating clear priorities, processes and accountability.

Experience required;

• You'll be a cruise and travel expert with a commercial mindset, strong supplier relationships and a genuine passion for creating exceptional holidays.
• You'll be equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior leadership, negotiating rates with a cruise line and getting into the detail of a product costing or supplier contract.
• You'll have excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple products, suppliers, projects and deadlines without losing sight of the detail.
• Most importantly, you'll be someone who can lead a team, make commercially sound decisions and spot opportunities before the competition does.
• Previous experience within the cruise, tour operating or wider travel industry.
• Strong knowledge of cruise lines, ships, destinations and itineraries.
• Proven experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial relationships.
• Strong commercial and numerical ability, including holiday costing and pricing.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Experience managing multiple products, projects and deadlines.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.

Why This Opportunity?

This is more than a Product role. It's an opportunity to shape a cruise programme, influence commercial strategy and build a high-performing Product function.

You'll have the freedom to identify new opportunities, develop genuinely exciting cruise experiences and build strong partnerships across the industry - while leading a team and playing a key role in the future growth of the business.

If you're an experienced cruise professional who is ready to take the next step, has a passion for product and knows how to turn great travel ideas into commercially successful holidays, we'd love to hear from you.