Director, Expedition Development - Ecuador & Peru

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 19 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

Role Overview

As part of the Expedition Development team, the Director of Expedition Development – Ecuador & Peru has oversight of the creation and execution of best-in-class expeditions. This position manages a team to successfully bring new itineraries to market, strengthens existing itineraries, develops, executes, and communicates marketable program themes and narratives, and ensures high quality land operations for the vessels assigned. This position is tasked with cultivating strong relationships within the industry and the communities we visit.

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. Your oversight will ensure sales, marketing, and the onboard teams have the information necessary to sell and execute voyages as envisioned. You will also work closely with 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. This role will work closely with the Field Staff team to ensure all staff are empowered to execute program delivery. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Expedition Development

• Work with senior management on annual deployment and oversee execution of deployment launch and modifications
• In collaboration with sales and marketing teams, determine trends and lead the team to develop new itineraries to meet those trends.
• 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.
• Review brochures and electronic collateral to ensure on brand. 
• Facilitate LEX/NG Fund conservation initiatives.
• Determine relevant extension options for voyages.
• 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. 
• Review daily feedback reports from vessels, guest survey results, and shipboard debrief reports to identify trends and implement programmatic change as necessary. 
• Drive bi-weekly meetings to evaluate feedback and create action items for implementation to enhance the expedition experience.
• Represent the organization in local associations, such as IAATO and AECO, as necessary.
• Oversee program P&Ls to ensure financial accuracy.
• Conduct reconnaissance for new itineraries and attend conferences, as necessary.

Vendor Relations & Field Work

• Cultivate strong relationships with all local vendors, hotel partners, air charter agents, internal and external partners.
• Assist with contract negotiations, as necessary.
• Review RFPs and provide ultimate sign-off on selection process.
• Ensure quality control of existing programs and vendor services.

Administrative

• 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…
• Direct Expedition Leader, Captain, and Hotel Director as appropriate, to carry-out expedition mission and resolve escalations.
• 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 accurate manifests to shoreside and onboard teams in a timely manner. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Program Development in hospitality and/or tourism in the expedition industry
• Experience working in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands; strongly prefer experience in Peru and the Amazon River.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A./B.S. or equivalent industry experience in field
• Prior management experience (managing direct reports)
• Spanish language skills (written and oral)

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.