Travel Program Director, Smithsonian Journeys
Company: Smithsonian Enterprises
Location: Washington
Posted on: March 1, 2025
|
|
Job Description:
Smithsonian Journeys is seeking a dynamic Program Director to
join our Washington, DC based team. This position is part of the
Smithsonian Journeys group, reporting into the Vice President,
Programming & Revenue Management. The Program Director assists in
the development and execution of a travel strategy designed to
build Smithsonian's travel business. The candidate shares ongoing
responsibility with members of the Smithsonian Journeys team
preparing, monitoring, and achieving the annual budget for their
assigned product portfolio, and for making recommendation to
strengthen Smithsonian Journeys' overall program standards.
Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read
the full description below.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited
to, the following:
Manage an assortment of international and domestic trips including
product design, pricing, inventory management, quality assurance,
and competitive analysis as well as manage relationships with the
portfolio of travel services providers, including, but not limited
to, tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, destination management
companies and airlines, that deliver the services for these
trips.
Responsible for meeting, or exceeding, the financial targets set
for the product portfolio including gross revenue, operating margin
and fill rate.
Research and recommend new categories, program concepts, travel
service providers and travel products to expand or improve
Smithsonian Journey's offerings and revenue.
Oversees all aspects of tour proposal process, including developing
new product ideas, soliciting proposals from travel service
providers, assessing proposals, and making recommendations on which
proposals to pursue.
Identify and oversee all aspects of trip development, including
itineraries, pricing, departure dates and agreement compliance.
Where possible, identify opportunities to create new educational
content that will appeal to constituents and to integrate lectures,
mission-driven activities and discussions into itineraries.
Perform competitive analyses to evaluate programs/proposals
relative to the marketplace.
Oversee and review all pre-trip documentation and communications
provided by each travel service provider on each trip.
Manages trip quality through review of customer evaluations, staff
reports, industry trends and competitive activities. As
appropriate, follow up with travel service providers, customers and
Smithsonian Journeys experts to make necessary recommendations and
adjustments to improve future trips.
Monitors trip sales and inventory to identify opportunities to
optimize revenue by increasing or decreasing allocations and/or
departures when necessary.
Collaborates with the Marketing team to manage branding, marketing
and sales strategies and assist in the preparation of all sales and
marketing collateral.
Collaborates with the Operations team, including the sales and
service center, to resolve any customer service issues,
communication or complaints. Works proactively with these teams to
develop and streamline processes to increase the sales of the
respective portfolio.
Undertake special analytical, operational or other important
projects as requested.
REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) with MBA preferred. Experience in
travel required with at least 10+ years of applicable work
experience with high profile brand(s), and experience in the travel
sector with demonstrative leadership skills and P&L knowledge.
Experience in educational travel product development, a plus.
Experience and proven successful track record in program and
product management of educational tours.
Strong knowledge of budgeting and financial management
Ability to develop strong relationships and interface effectively
with vendors and SI staff members of all levels.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to negotiate effectively with vendors and suppliers;
Ability to organize numerous major projects simultaneously
Salary: Up to $110,000, commensurate with experience.
To apply, please email resume and cover letter, including salary
requirements, to: SECareers@si.edu
Please include job title in the subject line. Application materials
received without salary information will not be considered.
We offer excellent benefit programs including Health, Dental and
Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Annual
and Sick Leave Accrual, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement
Program, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and
Restaurants, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent
Care)
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed
outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher
education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that
specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational
credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the
applicant and should be included as part of your application
package.
Final candidate selection will be subject to the applicant's
successful completion of a pre-employment background check and
subsequent background investigation. Employees are required to
serve a one-year probationary period and participate in Direct
Deposit for salary payment.
EOE. This is not a Federal Service position. Applicants must be
U.S. employment eligible.
No phone calls, please. Relocation expenses are not paid.
Keywords: Smithsonian Enterprises, Washington DC , Travel Program Director, Smithsonian Journeys, Executive , Washington, DC
Click
here to apply!
|