Job Description

Smithsonian Journeys is seeking a dynamic Travel 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.

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.

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