Head of Long Haul Product in Cambridge

Established, reputable Tour Operator are seeking an experienced Head of Product (Long-Haul Destinations) to join their successful Product Department. As Head of Long-Haul Product, you will be responsible for leading the strategy, development, and performance of this luxury Tour Operator's long-haul product portfolio. You will ensure that our offerings remain competitive, innovative, and aligned with customer expectations and business goals.

This role is suited to someone who has worked for a tour operator, has previous Product Management and/or Hotel Contracting experience in long haul markets and you will be happy to travel when required, be a great ambassador for the brand and excel at forging and maintaining great relationships with all of their UK trade partners.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Ensure commercial targets, including revenue and margin, are met across all long-haul destinations.
• Review and analyse the existing product portfolio (currently Middle East, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Australasia, North America, and Southern Africa) from both customer and commercial perspectives.
• Develop and execute a clear product strategy for all long-haul destinations moving forwards with the opportunity to look at expanding into new areas.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for growth and improvement or differentiation.
• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of products, from market analysis and contracting to pricing and launch and overseeing operationally thereafter.
• Ensure product contracting levels are in line with budget aspirations and that commercial terms remain optimal, regularly reviewing third party supplier business (direct contracts, bed banks and ground handlers) to evaluate most effective buying.
• Collaborate closely with the Reservations, Pricing, Sales and Marketing Teams highlighting key destinations to focus on and monitoring subsequent sales performance.
• Oversee Customer Health & Safety compliance across all relevant products and operational areas.
• Lead and inspire a small team of Product Managers, assisting with the prioritisation of event diaries and workloads.
• Build and maintain strong senior relationships with key suppliers, tourist boards, and DMCs, travelling to key destinations as and when required.
• Represent the company at trade events and actively network within the travel industry to promote our brand and source new opportunities.
• Working closely with the Marketing Team and Partnership Marketing Manager to bring products to market and to elevate funding opportunities.
• Overseeing the design layout, format and content of all relevant brochures.
• Ensuring the Web team have the most up to date content for the long haul destination and offer pages plus monitoring long haul bookings on the single centre booking portal (once project complete).

EXPERIENCE:

• We are seeking a Senior Product Manager / Head of Product from a Tour Operator background. You would have managed a small team of product managers and have experience of selecting and contracting product to long-haul destinations.
• In-depth knowledge of long-haul destinations and tailor-made travel.
• Ideally have existing commercial relationships and contacts with all the major long haul airlines.
• Commercially minded with experience in driving growth through innovative product development and identifying competitive advantages to increase market share.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience in delivering profitable product strategies.

PACKAGE:

• Very competitive salary.
• Hybrid working - 3 days office, 2 days remote - Cambridge.
• Hours are 37.5 per week from Monday to Friday from 9am-5.30pm.
• Performance related bonus.
• Annual company profit share bonus.
• Great discounts on your own holidays (plus generous friends and family discounts).
• 25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays.
• Standard Life Pension with enhanced employer contribution.
• Regular social events: Summer Party, Christmas Party, Quiz nights, brochure launches and a social fund to spend on team building events.
• Become part of the family and experience a supportive company culture that fosters teamwork and cross-department collaboration.
• Free onsite parking.
• Annual Volunteer in your Community Day.

INTERESTED?

Please follow the instructions to apply attaching your CV. This vacancy is being managed by Katy Gaskell. Not right for this role, or this role not right for you, but keen to further your career in the Travel Industry? We have a variety of different opportunities so do submit your CV to us!