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- Tasks: Lead product strategy for river and ocean cruises, ensuring top-notch guest experiences.
- Company: Join Riviera, a leader in the cruising industry, dedicated to innovative travel experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, collaborative culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of cruising with a focus on guest satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in river cruise product management and excellent negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This role is pivotal, reporting directly to the Product Director and part of the Leadership Team.
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 valuable insights and potential referrals.
✨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 help you speak confidently about innovative product strategies during interviews.
✨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. Highlighting these skills will demonstrate your fit for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with Riviera's current cruise offerings and their guest experience metrics. Understanding their products and performance indicators will allow you to propose tailored improvements and show your commitment to enhancing their portfolio during the interview process.
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 negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for enhancing guest experiences and detail how your previous roles have prepared you for this pivotal position. Mention specific strategies you've implemented that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and communication across departments, as this is crucial for the role.
Demonstrate Market Knowledge: In your application, include insights about current trends in the river and ocean cruise market. This will show your understanding of the industry and your readiness to propose innovative product opportunities.
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 about 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 market opportunities or improved existing products.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
As an excellent negotiator, you should prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully sourced and contracted with suppliers. Be ready to explain your negotiation tactics and how they led to successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've motivated high-performing teams in the past. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and communication across departments.