Partnerships Manager – US Cruise

Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions offer immersive, guided travel experiences for families, friends, individuals, and couples to explore the world’s greatest destinations.

Building on a legacy of over 135 years, National Geographic Explorers have ventured across continents, remote cultures, ocean depths, and towering mountains. National Geographic Expeditions extends this legacy, allowing travelers to embrace their inner explorer and witness the wonders of the world up close and in depth. With Signature Land, Expedition Cruise, River Cruise, or Private Jet options, National Geographic Expeditions provides unparalleled access to the world with knowledgeable Experts. Additionally, every trip booked supports the global nonprofit National Geographic Society, contributing to the work of National Geographic Explorers worldwide in protecting and illuminating our world through exploration, research, and education.

The Partnerships Manager – Expedition Cruise Licensing supports the growth for National Geographic Expedition (NGE) Cruises within Adventures & Expeditions. You will be responsible Business Line Management for NGE’s licensed expedition cruise business ( operated by Lindblad Expeditions, a 3rd party ) and various aspects of the day-to-day operation for the Expedition Cruise product. You will ensure the operator complies with the brand standard and that our product standards are consistent for all itineraries and departures. The role will also collaborate with Risk Management and Global Security, as well as marketing and sales to achieve business objectives. You may be responsible for contract negotiations in partnership with our internal legal team.

The Partnerships Manager will report to the Senior Manager – Expedition Cruise Licensing and sits in Celebration, FL.

What You Will Do/Responsibilities:

• Responsible for several aspects of the Brand Licensee relationship and management of the 3rd party- operator’s team including brand representation, product development and operations.
• Ensure achievement of strategic goals, including internal support from digital (APIs), marketing and PR teams to promote and source guests from all key source markets (to deadlines)
• Ensure consistent product development and delivery standards to include vetting and compliance with regard to trip security, IT security, insurance, activities and animal experiences. Support marketing and sales of brand licensed product as needed.
• Collaborate with NG Society, National Geographic Expeditions (NGE) and TWDC teams to source NG branded content to create NGE unique selling point (USP) for itineraries as well as internal media opportunities
• Support all external contract negotiations with support from Legal
• Support Finance team with budgeting and forecasting for all applicable product lines
• Liaise with Guest Relations, PR, PA, Security and Compliance to ensure all messaging, and crisis management standards are met
• Other duties as necessary or assigned.

You Will Have/Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years’ experience in consumer-facing travel and tourism sector including experience within the product category
• Prior experience managing major global partnerships/accounts.
• Experience and understanding of brand and/or brand reputation management.
• Supremely organized with strong project management skills. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing environment and maintain a professional composure.
• Strong external negotiation, partnering, influencing, communication, and relationship-building skills, ideally at all levels including C-Suite or Executive Leadership.
• Motivated self-starter who takes independent action to hold self and Leaders accountable in a metric-driven environment to drive performance. Able to deliver difficult news and ‘hold the line’.
• Ability to travel to meet with partners and inspect itineraries; Possess a valid passport.
• Understanding of marketing travel products through traditional and digital channels as well as database marketing.
• High energy, hands-on, entrepreneurial creative leader with a passion for developing new products and businesses
• Highly collaborative individual with exceptional communications skills
• Proven ability to successfully manage cost budgets and deliver revenue to forecast.
• Ability to forge strong, local and international relationships

Preferred Qualifications:

• Digital website and/or CMS experience
• Previous experience working in a matrix organization managing, presenting and influencing multiple stakeholders
• Familiarity with both domestic and international travel (preferred in travel touring or cruise industry).
• Experience with cruise or touring products within various International destinations such as Iceland, Japan, Galapagos, Antarctica, Fiji and Tahiti, Mexico, Europe and more.

Required Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits .

About Adventures by Disney:

Adventures by Disney is a leader in guided group family vacation experiences, offering itineraries to some of the most beautiful places on the planet including China, Australia, South Africa, Peru, England and France, as well as North American adventures in Alaska, the Rockies and more. Adventures by Disney takes families to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, delivering unmatched guest service by trained adventure guides and local experts, uncompromising attention to detail, and a bit of Disney magic every step of the way. Together, adventure guides and guests embark on adventures that enable them to interact with world cultures in exciting new ways.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Adventures by Disney ABD, LLC , which is part of a business we call Adventures by Disney .

Adventures by Disney ABD, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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