Global Commercial Director

Awarded World’s Best Small Ship Cruise line, Windstar Cruises is known for intimate yacht style experience and unique voyages to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Its three sailing yachts and three all-suite yachts carry just 148 to 342 guests and cruise around the world.

Our Mission: We imagine and deliver personalized and immersive experiences 180 degrees from ordinary

Our Vision: Enriching people’s perspective through inspired travel

Our Values: Welcoming, Innovative, Now, Discipline, Serve, Teamwork, Authentic, Responsible

Windstar Cruises is dedicated to delivering unique and immersive travel experiences to our discerning guests. We are seeking a Global Commercial Director to support the Commercial Team with our efforts for global expansion, guest sourcing diversification, sales, marketing, revenue management, pricing, and other commercial functions in domestic and international markets. This role reports directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, participates as a member of the Windstar Leadership Team, and will be instrumental in driving the growth and success of Windstar Cruises on a global scale.

As the Global Commercial Director at Windstar Cruises, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our global presence, diversifying our guest sourcing, and ensuring the company's commercial success in domestic and international markets with a keen focus on profitability. Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer, you will be responsible for developing the vision and strategies for deployment, itineraries, shore excursions, onboard guest programs, and pre/post guest experiences. These strategies will be based on optimal financial objectives; future capacity growth potential; guest preferences, motivations, and satisfaction; domestic and international market growth potential; brand relevance; operational efficiencies and regulatory requirements; Sales execution and Trade communication and support; charter potential; guest experiential themes; and Guest Services execution and effectiveness.

• Global Deployment and Expansion Strategy:
  • Develop a comprehensive global deployment strategy and collaborate with all departments to optimize the profitability of the Company.
  • Identify growth opportunities and market entry points to expand Windstar's presence and competitive positioning in small ship luxury cruising.

• Itinerary Evaluation and Profitability
  • Review itineraries for market appeal based on:
    • Guest destination preferences and motivators
    • Brand reinforcement
    • Impactful marketing messaging
    • Sailing experience (Wind Class vessels)
    • Guest experiential themes, (wine, cultural, etc.)
    • Destination partnerships and collaboration opportunities
    • Charter potential
    • Market risk factors, (geo-political activity, weather, etc.)
  • Collaborate with operational departments to identify itinerary profit enhancement strategies, based on:
    • Operational cost efficiencies
    • Shore excursion potential
    • Pre/Post experience potential
    • Retail opportunities

• Sales, Marketing, and Guest Services Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with revenue management team on strategies to optimize pricing, inventory, and yield for domestic and international markets.
  • Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Revenue management to develop source of business strategies to maximize occupancy and total net revenue.
  • Work with Marketing to develop brand and destination messaging that supports all itineraries for Consumer communication programs.
  • Work with Sales and Marketing to develop clear messaging and communication tools to support effective Sales communication to the Trade.
  • Work with Guest Services to provide training for all sailings, including information about destinations, cruise experiences, shore excursions, onboard programs, and pre/post experiences and options.

• Legal Compliance and Requirements:
  • Ensure cruise programs are designed in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in all global markets.

• Market Analysis and Insights:
  • Continuously monitor global market trends, competitive landscapes, and customer preferences.
  • Gain first-hand experience about Windstar and competitive cruise products and destinations by joining selected cruises, traveling to destinations, and attending relevant industry trade events.
  • Utilize market insights to enhance product offerings, refine strategies, and identify growth opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).
• 10 years of leadership experience in commercial roles within the travel or cruise industry.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and market expansion in international markets.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and P&L accountability.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and analytical skills.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration and communication abilities.
• Travel industry knowledge and market expertise.

Windstar Cruises is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.