Manager-Product Development

The Manager of Product Development is a strategic leader within the Port Strategy Team. Their responsibilities include the development, management, and delivery of port adventure programs. This role involves leading the Port Adventures Product Development Team, implementing strategies with third-party vendors to enhance the overall guest experience, aligning with company standards, and contributing to revenue growth. Provide strategic direction for crafting and implementing port adventures across all destinations. Ensure adventures align with brand goals, improve guest experiences, and contribute to revenue growth.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities

• Product Development- Build outstanding and custom port excursions to stand out in the market.
• Maintain relationships with third-party operators worldwide to promote destination stewardship, ensure compliance with contractual obligations, and deliver high-quality experiences.
• Establish strategic partnerships for medium to long-term planning, while enhancing guest experience and ensuring profitability.
• Ongoing development of an innovative Port Adventure program to improve brand identity and destination engagement.
• Develop new tour products and lead the port adventure tour program for selected geographical areas.
• Ensure alignment between all internal and external partners.
• Stay updated on industry trends within and outside the cruise sector to guide strategic decisions and innovations. Lead all departmental projects related to port adventure initiatives and strategies.
• Collaborate with Risk Management, Aviation, Legal, and Tour Operators to guarantee overall compliance. Keep a record of and be responsible for compliance work with more than 300 operators and manage over 4,000 contracted tours.
• Supervise Third-Party Vendors by regularly reviewing contracts to monitor pricing, delivery, and other critical metrics. Make sure that they align with Disney Cruise Line standards, policies, and procedures.
• Evaluate the financial performance by developing pricing strategies, maintaining take rates, and analyzing performance metrics to assess profitability.
• Responsible for maintaining or exceeding rating standards for ports and shore excursions.
• Handle all tour proposals, site inspections, negotiating, contracting, execution, and maintenance of itineraries around the world.
• Partner with the Itinerary planning department for new port of call development and itinerary planning.
• Lead the audit process and review of delivered destination experiences to ensure relevant product improvements and evolution.
• Participate in FCCA Operations Committee: Engage with government entities and ministries to support and facilitate improvements in destinations.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7 years’ proven experience in the cruise/tourism industry with an emphasis on strategy, product development, and marketing.
• Experienced strategic planner with strong technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and operational focus.
• Experience in Luxury Cruise and/or Tour Operator programs required.
• Deep knowledge of destinations and expertise in setting up sophisticated destination experience programs.
• Experience building and leading successful teams that deliver results!
• Consistent track record in revenue growth and team management!
• Outstanding negotiation skills, unwavering business ethics, detail oriented and adept problem-solving prowess.
•  Leadership skills to help drive the strategic direction of the product/experience.
• Ensure strategic alignment throughout the product development process.
• Experience collaborating with various teams to achieve actionable results through others, plus the ability to build strong and sustainable relationships.
• Experience establishing relationships and collaborating with all levels of leadership within the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with third-party vendors, preferably in the travel/tour industry.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree / equivalent and/or a minimum of 10 years of related experience in Product Management, preferably in tour operations and/or cruise line environments.

Preferred Education

• Master’s degree in hospitality management, Business Administration, Tourism, Product Development or equivalent