Business Development Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Texas.

📋 Description

• Develop, sustain, and service a specified portfolio of travel agency accounts within the DFW area, including DFW East, Temple, North Texas, and West Texas.

• Cultivate and enhance travel agency relationships within the designated territory.

• Design and execute local and national marketing and promotional initiatives to meet sales objectives for the territory.

• Formulate marketing plans, strategies, initiatives, and methods to drive revenue growth for agencies.

• Explore new revenue opportunities within assigned accounts.

• Generate and implement marketing concepts and sales strategies to promote travel agency growth.

• Utilize marketing expertise from Regional and Head Office to enhance partners' “Marketing to Fill” sales strategies.

• Address travel agency issues using knowledge of company products and services, coordinating with headquarters sales teams.

• Develop and implement annual sales and marketing plans for top-performing FIT and Group accounts.

• Review sales plans, promotional efforts, and ROI on a monthly basis, making necessary adjustments.

• Employ data and reports to create strategic and tactical plans aimed at achieving territory revenue goals.

• Formulate pre/post sales-call strategies and maintain daily communication through in-person visits, Zoom meetings, webinars, phone calls, group meetings, metro meetings, and social media.

• Create promotional initiatives and supply promotional materials to travel agents.

• Oversee travel, marketing, supplies, advertising, and promotional budgets; review and report expenses monthly.

• Negotiate sales plans and group contracts.

• Support key, strategic, and national accounts, along with promotions and events.

• Analyze account sales and marketing plans and ROI, adjusting strategies as necessary.

• Conduct seminars, webinars, familiarization cruises, ship tours, training events, cruise events, trade shows, and consumer shows.

• Perform additional job-related tasks as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of sales or account management experience, ideally in the travel sector.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with intermediate to advanced skills in Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with Zoom and Go To meeting platforms.

• Capability to build personal credibility through product knowledge, services, procedures, follow-through, and problem-solving.

• Exceptional communication skills.

• Understanding of working directly with agency owners, marketing professionals, and front-line travel advisors.

• Demonstrated ability to implement contracts using negotiation and presentation skills.

• Creative aptitude for developing a personal brand to sell unique cruise vacations and foster relationships.

• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing sales environment and modify priorities as needed.

• Analytical skills to interpret revenue outcomes and manage budgeting and forecasting.

• Proficient in preparing and analyzing cost of sale results.

• Effective time management skills to work independently and achieve sales targets.

• Strong business acumen and understanding of profitability dynamics.

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends.

• Capability to bend and lift up to 30 lbs. for packing and transporting marketing materials, with reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to stand for extended periods during presentations and conduct walking tours aboard client vessels, with reasonable accommodation.

🏝️ Benefits

• Full-time employment.

• Reasonable accommodations for bending/lifting and standing requirements.