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.
- Other info: UK-based role with national travel; driving licence and right to work in the UK needed.
- 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.
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.
Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts in Woking employer: MSC Cruises
Explora Journeys is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to be part of a pioneering luxury brand in the heart of Geneva. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to explore their passions while contributing to meaningful partnerships that redefine ocean travel. The company provides unique opportunities for networking within the high-net-worth ecosystem, alongside competitive benefits and a commitment to well-being, making it an attractive place for those seeking a rewarding career in luxury hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts in Woking
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts at MSC Cruises, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including MSC Cruises. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development, Luxury Accounts in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for MSC Cruises:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for MSC Cruises. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSC Cruises
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show MSC Cruises that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show MSC Cruises that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with MSC Cruises’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
