WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 23 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
JOB SUMMARY
Join us as a Product Manager, Voyage (VPM), where you will play a pivotal role in shaping unforgettable travel experiences rooted in the company’s legacy of responsible exploration. This position is at the heart of Lindblad’s best-in-class expeditions, overseeing the entire voyage experience from embarkation to disembarkation. You'll be responsible for the conceptualization, creation, budgeting, management, and execution of every aspect of the voyage, including onboard programming, transportation, accommodations, meals, and immersive tours.
In this dynamic role, you will collaborate closely with a diverse array of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that every guest enjoys a seamless and enriching experience while driving revenue growth. Your efforts will not only enhance our operational excellence across all programs but will also elevate our brand, making each journey truly memorable.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
To perform this job successfully, the employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily on a determined timeline. Additional duties may be added or assigned at any time. Duties listed below are in the context of the voyage portion of the expeditions.
VOYAGE DEPLOYMENT
- Collaborate with appropriate field staff, Product Managers – Pre & Post Experience, Marketing Managers, and other internal and external partners to create exemplary programming with compelling, marketable themes and bring those programs to market based on a launch schedule
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to articulate unique voyage selling propositions and review and approve relevant content
- Lead sales presentations and effectively convey the unique selling points of voyage experience
- Create paid shore excursions as appropriate to augment included experiences and generate additional revenue
- Collaborate with National Geographic Expeditions staff to bring the NGE name and experience into voyage programming
- Seek opportunities to build experiences with LEX-NG Fund supported projects and/or individuals into voyage offerings
- Collaborate with Sr. Management on annual deployments and deployment changes
- Maintain a deep knowledge of permitting compliance laws and regulations, collaborating with the marine and port operations team to ensure voyages comply with these considerations.
- Collaborate with the Marine Department to create and maintain voyage sailing schedules (aka “technicals”)
- Develop community/industry relationships and partnerships that add value to the guest experience and maintain a positive brand relationship in the areas we operate
- Communicate environmental and social/community impacts and opportunities tied to voyage activities with LEX CES Team at regular intervals to elevate companywide awareness and strengthen the company’s commitment to responsible exploration
- Ensure deadlines are met as determined by the Operations Calendar
VOYAGE EXECUTION
- Create and provide timely manifests with necessary information for voyage and land providers
- Create and distribute working itineraries with operational instructions, contact information and other essential information to execute the voyage to the highest standards
- Maintain contact with the field and assist as appropriate
- Maintain voyage P&L and ensure voyages operate within budget, while optimizing profitability.
ADMINISTRATION
- Negotiate favorable voyage land costs and create voyage land costs budget
- Review, process, and reconcile invoices for voyage costs
- In cooperation with the Guest Communications Department, create and ensure the accuracy of final voyage documents
- Create and maintain internal documents and systems to ensure accuracy for users. Work with a cross-departmental team to support all operational aspects in any contingency or emergency
- Review booking and pacing to work with Marketing and Sales to address shortfalls and ensure maximized revenue.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
- Review and respond to various reports and implement action plans where necessary. Own voyage experience guest scores.
RESEARCH AND FIELD WORK
- Seek continual improvement of geographical knowledge, representing your assigned regions and programs as a subject matter expert
- Visit and liaise with ship personnel, field staff, local vendors, local guides, conduct site inspections, and gather other appropriate on-site field information as necessary
- Conduct training with field staff, local guides, and other appropriate field personnel
- Have deep knowledge of the competitive market to collaborate with Marketing to ensure voyages are competitive in terms of experience, price, and other relevant aspects.
- Represent the organization in regional associations, such as IAATO and AECO, as necessary
- At all trainings and events, be equipped with current knowledge and examples of the company’s environmental and social/community impact programs, and prepared to share this knowledge with others who represent our brand
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Tourism, or a related field or equivalent industry experience.
- Experience:
- At least 3 years of experience in voyage development, travel planning, or a similar role.
- Experience in developing sales presentations and marketing strategies.
- Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of permitting compliance laws and regulations related to maritime operations.
- Familiarity with budgeting and financial management.
- Skills:
- Strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional analytical skills with experience in financial reporting and analysis.
- Strong leadership and training abilities to guide field staff and local vendors.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with project management tools.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Education:
- Master’s degree in business administration, Tourism Management, or a related field.
- Experience:
- Proven track record of successful project management and execution.
- Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge of geographical regions relevant to the company’s voyages.
- Comprehensive understanding of competitive market positioning and pricing strategies.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Advanced proficiency in accounting software and CRM systems.
- Familiarity with industry-specific software for itinerary planning and management.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Ability to and willingness to travel.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required of persons so classified or assigned.
