Product Development Manager

American Cruise Lines - Guilford, CT

Full-time - Senior

Onsite - Guilford, CT

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation

About the position

The Product Development Manager is a shore side position at American Cruise Lines, dedicated to enhancing the guest experience through the development of enriching excursions and product offerings. This role involves curating and maintaining productive relationships with shore excursion operators, visitor and convention bureaus, and other key stakeholders in various destinations. The Manager will play a crucial role in developing long-term strategies to enhance excursions and enrichment programs, ensuring they align with the evolving demands of our guests. In addition to strategic planning, the Product Development Manager will frequently travel onboard the vessels to assess the guest experience both onboard and onshore. This hands-on approach allows the Manager to provide valuable feedback to other departments and ensure that the offerings meet the expectations of our guests. The Manager will also be responsible for staying informed about local community events and collaborating with the Guest Programs Department to enhance the overall enjoyment of our guests. As a home office employee, the Manager will travel often to maintain personal relationships with all company strategic partners and work closely with leadership to determine regions of focus. This position is integral to American Cruise Lines' mission of delivering destination-focused experiences, and the Manager will contribute to this mission by fostering professional relationships with key partners in the places we visit. The role requires a proactive and optimistic approach, with a focus on creativity and collaboration to contribute to the future success of the company. The Product Development Manager will also serve as a brand ambassador, representing the values and mission of American Cruise Lines in all interactions.

Responsibilities

• Establish multi-year planning timelines for land packages, hotels & shore excursions with leadership approval
• Review shore excursions/tours, hotel and land package pricing to ensure items are within budget, profitable and operationally feasible
• Recommend and develop new shore excursions to meet changing guest demands
• Develop and maintain professional in-person relationships with key excursions partners
• Research and recommend new cruise itineraries and new port destinations
• Establish initial and ongoing relationships with new partners
• Assess quality and consistency of shore excursions and enrichment programs
• Travel onboard vessels to experience our guest experiences
• Evaluate competition in the market and identify opportunities for product improvement
• Review company website, brochure, and printed materials to ensure accuracy of Shore Excursion & Land package offerings
• Yield management of shore tours and land packages making recommendations to add or reduce capacity
• Provide product details to Operations, Sales, and Marketing teams on new product offerings
• Act as a brand ambassador
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5 years of destination, tourism or cruise ship experience
• B.S. Degree in Hotel, Travel or Tourism Management preferred
• Strong organizational and process skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English)
• Available for frequent travel