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 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
Role Essentials
As part of the Expedition Development team, the Director of Expedition Development for our Bluewater Fleet has oversight of the creation and execution of best-in-class expeditions for four vessels operating on all seven continents, with primary seasons operating in the Arctic, Antarctica/South America, French Polynesia, Australia/New Zealand and the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
In this position, you will manage a team of Expedition Development Managers, Land Managers, and Program Managers to ensure successful voyages from conceptualization to completion, bringing new itineraries to market and strengthening existing itineraries. You will develop, execute, and communicate marketable program themes and narratives, and ensure land operations for the vessels assigned are of the highest quality.
This position is tasked with cultivating strong relationships within the industry and the communities we visit. Your oversight will ensure sales, marketing, and the onboard teams have the information necessary to sell and execute voyages as envisioned. Additionally, you'll work closely with our marine and port operations teams to ensure expeditions are viable and consistent with the itineraries and ports scheduled. You will advise on necessary permitting and permissions, industry trends and local issues and ensure the organization is ahead of the curve on these issues, and work closely with the Field Staff team to ensure staff are empowered to deliver world-class guest experiences.
[Expedition Development & Operations]
- Work with Sr. Management on annual deployment and oversee execution of deployment launch and modifications for four vessels: National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Orion.
- Guide appropriate Field Staff, Expedition Leaders (EL), Expedition Developers, Land Managers and Program Managers to create and execute an exemplary program.
- Lead team to ensure itineraries have strong, marketable program themes and narratives woven throughout the expedition.
- Continually identify, research, and develop expedition product enhancements, equipment, resources, and tools necessary for ongoing product innovation and differentiation.
- Determine relevant extension options for voyages and maximize occupancy/profitability.
- Maintain a deep and broad knowledge of permitting compliance laws and regulations, and directionally influence the design of the itinerary to ensure these comply with local law, both short and long term.
- Monitor daily feedback reports from vessels, guest survey results, and shipboard debrief reports to identify trends, and direct improvement plans as necessary.
- Work with cross-departmental team to support all operational aspects in any contingency or emergency situation, such as flight delay/cancellation, mechanical failure with ship, natural disaster, etc.
[Budget & Finance]
- Oversee program P&Ls to ensure financial accuracy, profitability and cost-management.
- Review RFPs and ensure favorable contracts with DMCs and vendors, assisting with contract negotiations, as necessary.
- Maximize revenue and profitability through thoughtful deployment analysis, curated product offerings, and competitive monitoring
[Marketing & Sales]
- Work with Sr. Management, sales, and marketing to determine trends and lead the team to develop new itineraries to meet those trends.
- Ensure timely delivery of internal and external informational assets to assist reservations, sales and guest communications
- Maintain competitive monitoring to ensure delivery of marketable products
- Brief sales and trades, occasionally presenting to large groups
[Vendor & Community Relations]
- Cultivate strong relationships with local vendors, hotel partners, air charter agents, internal and external partners.
- Represent the organization in local associations, such as IAATO and AECO, as necessary.
- Facilitate LEX/NG Fund conservation initiatives.
[Administrative & Field Work]
- Ensure deadlines are met as determined by the Operations Calendar, including product launches and training, development of accurate and timely pre-voyage information and other necessary elements
- Work with Sr. Management and the Expedition Development team to support all operational aspects in any contingency or emergency situation, such as flight delay/cancellation, mechanical failure with ship, natural disaster, etc.
- Respond to escalated questions/concerns from internal, external, and onboard teams.
- Review debriefing reports, voyage reports, comment cards, guest letters/emails and ensure action plans are executed as necessary.
- Ensure permits are secured for destinations.
- Ensure the team produces high quality, timely guest information and documentation.
- Ensure the team provides complete and accuratemanifests to shoreside and onboard teams in a timely manner.
- Visit local vendors for contract finalizations, site inspections and quality control.
- Visit and liaise with ship personnel, ensuring the highest possible quality being delivered to guests.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Hospitality/tourism experience required.
- Experience with program development within the expedition industry required.
- Strong skills in time management, handling multiple tasks, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
- Strong financial skills in profitability and cost management.
- Ability to lead projects across multiple departments to completion.
- Strong relationship development and management skills.
- Fluent English skills (both written and verbal).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of applicable geographic regions and cultures.
- Marine operations experience.
- Ability to work independently as well as with others in a collaborative team environment.
OUR BENEFITS
• Travel benefits for employees and their family
• Voyage of Discovery trips for employees to travel as guests
• Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to be used for out-of-pocket medical and dependent care
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefit
• 7-8 Paid Holidays
• 2-3 Floating Holiday Options (pro-rated per start date)
• Up to 15 days of vacation (pro-rated per anniversary year)
• Parental Leave
• Sick/personal days per city & state ordinance
• Pet Insurance discount
Communication Skills
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
