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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development for luxury accounts and build strategic partnerships.
- Company: Explora Journeys is a European luxury brand redefining ocean travel with unique experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment, travel opportunities, and a focus on well-being.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team transforming luxury travel and make meaningful connections.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in luxury sales with a strong network in high-net-worth circles required.
- Other info: UK-based role with national travel; driving licence and right to work in the UK needed.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Your Purpose
Explora Journeys is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, European luxury brand, imagined in the heart of Swiss hospitality in Geneva. Leveraging our parent company MSC Group\’s hundreds of years of maritime expertise, our fleet of six luxury ships (four currently in the pipeline) are being built and designed in a totally different and unique way.
Explora Journeys is redefining ocean travel for the discerning traveller. Our European luxury lifestyle brand offers a unique blend of refined discovery and slow travel, designed for those who seek deeply meaningful experiences at sea and ashore.
We are seeking a dynamic and well-connected Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts to expand our presence within the yet-to-cruise market. This role will be instrumental in establishing and growing relationships with non-traditional luxury partners, developing bespoke partnerships that extend far beyond the traditional cruise distribution landscape.
Your Impact
• Strategic Growth:
Identifies, builds and nurtures relationships with new-to-cruise luxury consumers & travel partners through strategic partnerships in the UK & Ireland.
• Partnership Development:
Initiates and leads high-value collaborations that align with Explora Journeys\’ values and elevate brand awareness among affluent, non-cruise audiences – including but not limited to golf clubs, private member clubs, luxury brands, lifestyle collectives and affinity groups.
• Sales Activation:
Develops and implements tailored sales plans that convert affluent prospects into loyal guests, utilising co-branded activations, private events, and referral partnerships.
• Account Management:
Maintains and grows a portfolio of top-tier luxury accounts, ensuring relationship depth, performance growth and long-term brand advocacy.
• Market Intelligence:
Monitors UK luxury travel trends, emerging HNW/UHNW audiences, and competitor movements to inform strategy and stay ahead of the curve.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
Collaborates closely with the UK Sales Team, PR & Marketing, the Explora Experience Centre and the wider Commercial & Brand organisation to ensure consistent service and partnership delivery across all channels. Efficiently manages budgets with a focus on ROI, delivering detailed reporting and performance analysis to support strategic initiatives and activations.
Your Journey so far
• Minimum 5-10 years of experience in luxury sales, ideally with exposure to luxury hospitality, experiential travel, private clubs, or lifestyle brands.
• A well-established network within the UK\’s high-net-worth ecosystem and an intuitive understanding of the luxury consumer mindset.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with a proven track record of creating and converting new business opportunities outside traditional channels.
• Confident presenter and relationship builder, comfortable engaging senior stakeholders and representing the brand at high-level events.
• A passion for curated, meaningful travel and a belief in the power of the ocean to transform and connect.
• Self-starter, strategic thinker, and commercially driven with an eye for brand fit and partnership potential.
• Proficiency in Salesforce and Power BI would be an advantage, enabling effective data analysis, reporting, and customer relationship management.
Your Essentials
• This role is UK based with national travel and regular visits to our Woking office
• Full Right to Work in the UK required
• Full UK driving licence required
Our commitment
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.
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Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts employer: MSC Cruises
Contact Detail:
MSC Cruises Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the luxury sector. Attend industry events, join relevant associations, and connect with professionals in luxury hospitality and experiential travel. Building relationships with key players can open doors to opportunities at Explora Journeys.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on luxury travel trends and consumer behaviour. Understanding the preferences of high-net-worth individuals will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your expertise during interviews or networking conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've created and converted new business opportunities in previous roles, especially those that align with non-traditional luxury partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Salesforce and Power BI. If you have experience with these tools, highlight it during discussions, as they are advantageous for data analysis and customer relationship management in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in luxury sales and business development. Emphasise your connections within the high-net-worth ecosystem and any previous roles that involved partnership development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for luxury travel and your understanding of the luxury consumer mindset. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully built relationships with non-traditional luxury partners.
Showcase Your Achievements: In your application, include quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive strategic growth and sales activation. Use metrics to illustrate how you've converted prospects into loyal clients.
Research Explora Journeys: Familiarise yourself with Explora Journeys' brand values and their unique approach to ocean travel. This knowledge will help you align your application with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSC Cruises
✨Research the Company and Its Values
Before your interview, take the time to understand Explora Journeys' mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their unique approach to luxury travel and how they differentiate themselves in the market. This will help you align your answers with their vision and demonstrate your genuine interest in the brand.
✨Leverage Your Network
Given the importance of relationships in this role, be prepared to discuss your existing connections within the luxury sector. Highlight any relevant partnerships you've developed in the past and how they could translate into opportunities for Explora Journeys. This shows that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be ready to present examples of how you've identified and capitalised on new business opportunities in previous roles. Discuss your approach to developing tailored sales plans and how you've successfully activated partnerships. This will illustrate your strategic mindset and ability to drive growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges in the luxury market. Prepare scenarios where you've navigated complex situations or turned potential setbacks into successes. This will demonstrate your resilience and adaptability in a competitive environment.
