Business Development Manager, Key Accounts - Northeast Region
About The Position
One of the best-known names in cruising, Cunard is the world’s leading international premium cruise line, carrying millions of guests each year to hundreds of destinations around the globe. With parent company Carnival Corporation, Cunard is well known for its White Star Service and Trans-Atlantic Crossings. We’re looking for an experience sales professional to fill this role. The Business Development Manager, Key Accounts East is responsible for the business development and revenue growth of a defined portfolio of key travel agency accounts and consortia within the Northeast region. The position focuses on driving sales performance, strengthening strategic partnerships, and executing account‑specific growth plans aligned with Cunard’s commercial objectives and Cultural Essentials. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and partners closely with internal Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, and Customer Service teams. Here’s a summary of what Cunard is looking for in its Business Development, Key Accounts. Is this you?
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Marketing, Communications preferred)
- Minimum 3 years B2B sales experience
- Strong consultative selling and presentation skills (in‑person and virtual)
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple initiatives independently
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong collaboration skills
Nice To Haves
- Preferred 5+ years B2B sales experience within the travel industry
Responsibilities
- Business Development & Revenue Growth
- Own and deliver sales performance for assigned key accounts and consortia.
- Develop and execute strategic account plans to drive share growth, Grills penetration, and premium itinerary performance.
- Identify incremental revenue opportunities and close near‑term business through consultative selling and disciplined follow‑up.
- Utilize CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) to manage pipeline, track opportunities, document account activity, and support forecasting and reporting.
- Agency Account Management
- Serve as primary relationship owner for assigned accounts, acting as the senior point of contact.
- Conduct regular business reviews, strategy sessions, and performance tracking.
- Act as senior escalation point-of-contact for account‑level issues, converting challenges into growth opportunities.
- Participate in ship inspections and familiarization sailings, typically occurring on weekends, to support agency engagement and sales development.
- Marketing & Commercial Planning
- Develop and manage co‑op marketing plans in partnership with Marketing and agency stakeholders.
- Oversee execution of campaigns, events, and promotions tied to measurable results.
- Participate in trade conferences and industry events, often including evenings and/or weekends and occasional international travel, to support commercial objectives and account growth.
- Communication & Collaboration
- Partner cross‑functionally to align sales, marketing, and service execution
- Provide consistent feedback and insights to leadership on market conditions and competitive dynamic
- Budget & Resource Management
- Manage assigned budgets responsibly, ensuring alignment to ROI and commercial priorities
Benefits
- Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
- Health Benefits
- 401(k)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Training & Professional Development
- Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement
- Rewards & Incentives
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
