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- Tasks: Lead the product strategy for river and ocean cruises, ensuring top-notch guest experiences.
- Company: Join Riviera, a leader in the cruising industry, known for its innovative approach and commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, collaborative work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of cruising while making a real impact on guest satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in river cruise product management and excellent negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This role is pivotal within the leadership team, managing a substantial passenger base and revenue.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Role Purpose:
As Head of Product for Cruising, you will be the focal point for this strategically significant part of the Riviera business.The purpose of this role is to ensure all river and ocean cruises are planned, procured and operated in a controlled and cost-efficient manner; that load factors and gross margin targets are achieved, to improve existing cruise products and deliver innovative product development, a ‘Next Generation’ product strategy and future proofing of the current portfolio. The role reports to the Product Director and works closely with other Heads of Product, Head of Operations, Marketing and Revenue Management.
The role holder will have responsibility for circa 50k passengers, with an annual revenue in excess of £100m.
This is a pivotal role within Riviera and as such is a member of the Leadership Team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Obsess about guest experience on Riviera’s cruising products, delivering best in class performance, measured by NPS as well as ship’s own survey data
- Deliver target gross profit margins by procuring, negotiating and planning smartly
- Lead a team of enthusiastic and knowledge Product colleagues in a collaborative way, ensuring no silo working and great communication across the business
- Communicate effectively with suppliers across the globe to ensure full buy-in to the Riviera ways of working and attitude to our guests
- Pro-actively work with our Cruise Director community to ensure their voices are heard and our Product is delivered in the best possible way
- Propose, develop and deliver new strategic product opportunities to enhance our offering and to drive engagement into new markets and interest groups
- Work closely with customer facing teams to ensure their knowledge is up to date and that we fully understand the needs and wants of our customers
- Assist Operational teams to manage and address all on tour issues on service and itineraries (e.g. high/low water)
- Engage with Tech team to find new ways of working that drive efficiency and open up new opportunities
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in a Product River Cruise role
- Excellent negotiator with a proven record of sourcing and contracting
- Extensive knowledge of River and Ocean Cruise market
- Experience of managing relationships with 3rd party/external suppliers and stakeholders
- The ability to identify and drive improvement strategies
- Strong Communication skills with the ability to present and converse with senior stakeholders
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
- Proven experience of leading, developing and motivating a high performing team
Head of Product - Cruising employer: Riviera Travel
Contact Detail:
Riviera Travel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product - Cruising
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the cruising industry. Attend relevant conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with others who work in product management or cruise operations. Building relationships can lead to insider information about job openings and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in river and ocean cruising. Follow industry news, subscribe to relevant publications, and engage with thought leaders on social media. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with negotiation and supplier management. Think of specific examples where you've successfully sourced and contracted services, as this is crucial for the Head of Product role. Being able to articulate these experiences will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Riviera's current cruise offerings and their customer feedback. Understanding their products and how they measure guest satisfaction will allow you to speak knowledgeably about potential improvements and innovations during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product - Cruising
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product management, particularly in the river and ocean cruise sectors. Emphasise your achievements in improving guest experiences and managing significant revenue streams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the cruising industry and detail how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Head of Product role. Mention specific examples of successful product development or negotiation strategies you've implemented.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to include examples of your leadership style and successes. Discuss how you have motivated teams and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
Highlight Communication Skills: Given the importance of effective communication with suppliers and stakeholders, provide examples of how you've successfully managed relationships and communicated strategies in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Riviera Travel
✨Showcase Your Passion for Cruising
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the cruising industry. Discuss your experiences and insights into river and ocean cruises, and how they can enhance guest experiences. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Given the pivotal nature of this role, be ready to discuss your approach to developing innovative product strategies. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully identified new opportunities or improved existing products, and be prepared to share these during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
As an excellent negotiator, you should come prepared with specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. Discuss how these experiences have helped you achieve target gross profit margins and how you can apply these skills to benefit the company.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Collaboration
This role requires leading a team and collaborating across departments. Be ready to talk about your leadership style, how you motivate teams, and your experience in fostering effective communication. Share instances where you've successfully led a team to achieve common goals.
