Snr Manager Deployment Strategy & Planning

A bit about the role:

At HX our purpose is to awaken people to the beauty and fragility of the planet, with adventure that reignites a sense of wonder. We take curious travellers to incredible destinations, sustainably in true expedition-style with science and education at the heart of every journey. We bring them off the beaten track, to special destinations across the Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos, British Isles, Alaska, Northern Norway, and Central / South America.

Deployment is the overall strategy for where our fleet of five expedition ships operates, when they operate in each region and what type of voyage products they undertake when in a given region (itinerary length and route). It is one of the biggest commercial decisions the business makes each year: it determines what we can sell, what it costs to operate and how each season performs.

The Snr Manager Deployment Strategy & Planning works on the strategic direction of fleet deployment collaboratively across key stakeholders. The role builds the analysis and scenario modelling behind deployment decisions, provides visibility of itinerary profitability at voyage level, and manages the deployment plan from approval through to the start of each season. It focuses on ship-to-region allocation and season structure, working in close collaboration with the itinerary planning, expedition product, marine, operations, revenue management and commercial teams.

At HX, we are a passionate team who deliver our global operations from every corner of the world and our people are instrumental in continuing to inspire this adventure, play their part and deliver on our promise of guest centric and memorable experiences, benefiting the communities we visit, enriching our guests and inspiring a more sustainable world – to change the way they see the world.

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:

Deployment Strategy & Scenario Modelling:

• Build the analysis behind fleet deployment decisions, including ship-to-region allocation, season structure, itinerary length and repositioning options and present recommendations to senior leadership through each planning cycle.
• Develop and maintain scenario models that assess deployment options on revenue, cost, contribution, demand and guest satisfaction.
• Synthesise commercial and competitor insights to ensure HX has a competitive edge.
• Ensure a commercial mindset in all deployment decisions.

Voyage Profitability & Post Season Performance:

• Create and maintain tools that show the profitability of each itinerary, enabling better deployment decisions.
• Run the post season review, analysing voyage performance across revenue, pax, yield, cost, contribution and NPS to inform future deployment decisions.
• Continuously improve the accuracy of voyage level assumptions each planning cycle

Deployment Lifecycle Management:

• Manage the deployment plan from approval to the start of each season, monitoring the assumptions it was built on, including regulatory, dry dock, port, geopolitical and competitive developments, and flagging changes early enough to act.
• Work with fleet operations on dry dock timing and locations, ensuring maintenance plans and deployment positioning stay aligned.
• Maintain close interaction with marine and operations teams before and after voyages to ensure turnaround ports are feasible.

Commercial Opportunities & Cross Functional Collaboration:

• Evaluate charter opportunities for feasibility and contribution, partnering with revenue management and commercial teams.
• Lead the planning of travel agent familiarization trips and structural in season deployment changes, working with the itinerary planning and expedition product teams.
• Lead a structured trade partner input process with the commercial team for new product development.
• Work closely with Expedition Product Managers on product changes, improvement and profitability of voyages.

Requirements:

• Experience in cruise, airline network or fleet planning, travel or a commercially analytical role such as strategy, FP&A or revenue management.
• Strong financial modelling and scenario analysis skills, with the ability to build models independently.
• Experience with research, analysis and presenting key findings, insights and recommendations to a senior leadership audience.
• Demonstrated skill in stakeholder management, particularly with Finance, Commercial and Operations teams.
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Business, Finance, Economics or related field.
• Expert level Excel proficiency; PowerBI desirable.

Essential Knowledge & Skills:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Structured and analytical approach to problem solving and decision making; strategic mindset but comfortable drilling into detail and data.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams across long planning horizons.
• Ability to work independently and own a broad remit within a small, fast moving organisation.
• Clear and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, including presenting business cases at senior level.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to work across functions to deliver on business goals.