At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate a dynamic cruise product portfolio, creating unique holiday experiences.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking travel company with a passion for exceptional holidays.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape the future of cruising.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence commercial strategy and build exciting partnerships.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the cruise industry and lead a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Expertise in cruise and travel, strong negotiation skills, and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Ready to take the helm of an ambitious cruise product portfolio? This is an opportunity to lead, shape and grow a cruise product programme with real ambition.
My client are looking for an exceptional Head of Cruise Product to take ownership of the full cruise product lifecycle - from spotting the next big opportunity and securing exclusive deals, through to launching innovative new holidays and driving their commercial success.
You'll bring your cruise expertise, commercial instinct and supplier relationships to a role where you can genuinely make your mark.
You'll have the opportunity to create unique cruise experiences, negotiate outstanding commercial terms, develop new destinations and partnerships, and ultimately shape what customers see and buy.
But this role is about more than product.
You'll also lead and develop the Product team, introduce smarter ways of working and create a high-performing culture where great ideas, commercial thinking and attention to detail go hand in hand.
Working closely with senior leadership, Sales, Marketing, Operations, cruise lines and international suppliers, you'll be a key driving force behind the continued growth of the cruise programme.
If you know cruise, understand what makes a product sell and have the commercial confidence to turn opportunities into outstanding holidays, this could be your next big move.
The Role;
As Head of Cruise Product, you'll be at the heart of the business, responsible for ensuring the cruise programme remains innovative, commercially strong and highly competitive.
You'll identify opportunities to create unique and differentiated cruise holidays, combining cruises with hotels, touring, rail journeys and carefully selected experiences to create products that customers can't easily find elsewhere.
You'll also play a key role in securing exclusive departures, group allocations, competitive pricing and strong commercial terms, working closely with cruise lines, DMCs, hotels and other international suppliers.
Alongside developing new products, you'll take overall responsibility for the existing portfolio - ensuring the right products, at the right price, with the right stock, are available to maximise both customer demand and profitability.
- Role details;
- Lead the development of new cruise holidays from initial concept through to launch.
- Identify new destinations, cruise opportunities and product concepts that can differentiate the business in a competitive market.
- Develop innovative cruise packages incorporating hotels, touring, rail and other experiences.
- Negotiate competitive rates, allocations, payment terms and commercial agreements with cruise lines and suppliers.
- Identify opportunities for exclusive departures, group bookings and special allocations.
- Manage the performance of the existing product portfolio, monitoring sales, stock, pricing and profitability.
- Take ownership of product costing and pricing, ensuring holidays are commercially viable and competitively positioned.
- Maintain a clear product pipeline and ensure new opportunities are brought to market effectively.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with cruise lines, DMCs, hotels and overseas suppliers.
- Manage contracted inventory, supplier deadlines, cancellation terms and financial commitments.
- Ensure product information is accurate and consistently maintained across all systems and sales channels.
- Regularly review the portfolio, making informed decisions about which products to develop, refresh or remove.
- Take overall responsibility for product quality and the customer experience.
- Lead, manage and develop the Product team, creating clear priorities, processes and accountability.
Experience required;
- You'll be a cruise and travel expert with a commercial mindset, strong supplier relationships and a genuine passion for creating exceptional holidays.
- You'll be equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior leadership, negotiating rates with a cruise line and getting into the detail of a product costing or supplier contract.
- You'll have excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple products, suppliers, projects and deadlines without losing sight of the detail.
- Most importantly, you'll be someone who can lead a team, make commercially sound decisions and spot opportunities before the competition does.
- Previous experience within the cruise, tour operating or wider travel industry.
- Strong knowledge of cruise lines, ships, destinations and itineraries.
- Proven experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial relationships.
- Strong commercial and numerical ability, including holiday costing and pricing.
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Experience managing multiple products, projects and deadlines.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
Why This Opportunity?
This is more than a Product role. It's an opportunity to shape a cruise programme, influence commercial strategy and build a high-performing Product function.
You'll have the freedom to identify new opportunities, develop genuinely exciting cruise experiences and build strong partnerships across the industry - while leading a team and playing a key role in the future growth of the business.
If you're an experienced cruise professional who is ready to take the next step, has a passion for product and knows how to turn great travel ideas into commercially successful holidays, we'd love to hear from you.
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Head of Cruise Product in Manchester employer: Travel Trade Recruitment
Join a dynamic team as a Systems Operations Manager in our London office, where you will thrive in a data-driven environment that values structured thinking and innovation. We offer a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and generous holiday allowance, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within a supportive culture that encourages ownership and accountability. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to excellence, we empower our team to make meaningful contributions to the customer experience and drive the success of our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Cruise Product in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Local Travel Events
Join local tourism fairs or travel expos in your area. These events are a treasure trove for networking, and you can often meet hiring managers from companies like Travel Trade Recruitment who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Head of Cruise Product.
✨Showcase Your Travel Know-How
Create a travel blog or use social media to share your experiences and insights about different destinations. This can help you stand out to recruiters in the travel industry, demonstrating your passion for the sector and your ability to engage with an audience.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your School
Check out alumni groups linked to the travel and tourism sectors. Often, these connections can lead to inside info about opportunities at companies like Travel Trade Recruitment and give you a leg up for your Head of Cruise Product application.
✨Don’t Shy Away from Cold Emails
If there's a dream company you want to join, don’t hesitate to send a friendly email to their HR or recruitment team. Express your interest in their vision and mention that you’re keen on any Head of Cruise Product openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Cruise Product in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:In the travel and tourism industry, your love for exploration and different cultures should shine through in your application. Make sure to share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for travel—this can really set you apart when applying for the Head of Cruise Product role at Travel Trade Recruitment.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Customer service is king in travel and tourism. When detailing your work experience, focus on situations where you provided outstanding service or resolved customer issues, as this demonstrates your ability to ensure client satisfaction. Include specific examples in your CV to show that you're ready to face the challenges of the Head of Cruise Product position at Travel Trade Recruitment.
Keep Your CV Travel-Themed:When it comes to CV conventions in the travel industry, think of including any relevant certifications or training you've completed, like first aid or tour guiding courses. If you've travelled widely yourself, don't hesitate to mention that—it's all about showing your background fits the globetrotting vibe of Travel Trade Recruitment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're a great fit but also reflect your personality! Use this space to express what excites you about the travel sector and how you can contribute to Travel Trade Recruitment's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Head of Cruise Product.
How to prepare for a job interview at Travel Trade Recruitment
✨Show Off Your Travel Knowledge
For a role in travel and tourism, it’s vital to demonstrate your knowledge of different destinations, cultures, and travel trends. Brush up on popular destinations and recent changes in travel restrictions. We suggest bringing some interesting travel stories or experiences to share—this can help you connect personally with the interviewer!
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Expect to be hit with customer service scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a challenging traveller or resolve a booking issue. Think of a few real-life examples from your experiences, even if they’re just from customer service roles. This will show that you're ready for the field and have the right mindset to tackle on-the-ground challenges!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Passion
In a full-time travel position, there are often irregular hours and spontaneous travel opportunities. Be sure to convey your flexibility and willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of this industry. Let’s showcase that enthusiasm for travel and how it drives your decision-making!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Get familiar with travel booking systems and tools, such as Amadeus or Sabre. If you have experience using any specific software or even social media for travel promotions, bring that up! We want to show that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to their processes at Travel Trade Recruitment.
