Careers

Head of Yachts

Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of yachts will tap into the superyacht ecosystem to deliver new leads and clients. This person will have responsibility for designing and securing commercial partnerships with yacht owners, captains and owners reps, charters & sales brokers, as well as the wider yachting ecosystem, in order to deliver leads and expedition charters. As well as securing partnerships, the Head of Expedition yachts will also actively manage projects themselves. In due course there may be line management responsibility as we build out the delivery team - once there is enough demand to support the recruitment of yacht project managers or associates, then these reports will sit with the Head of yachts.


Key Skills & Competencies

  • Strong commercial awareness and powerful network in super-yacht sector.
  • Business Development - People skills to be able to gain introduction in this space.
  • Entrepreneurial skill and flair, being able to see the opportunity form meetings and introductions and make the most of these opportunities.
  • Strategic decision making - deciding who we partner with and how we go about this.
  • Grasp of all business functions - from marketing to finance. Comfortable with writing a business plan, a marketing strategy and a budget.
  • Understanding of Cookson Adventures unique product.
  • Be able to work as part of a team and also work independently.
  • Be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • Services and client-oriented approach.

Duties & Responsibilities


Commercial partnerships
  • Designing and forging key affiliate/referral partnerships with multiple brokers (and wider yacht industry).
  • Managing and nurturing these relationships over a long-term period.
  • Actively networking with Yacht captains and owners.
  • Building a list of preferred Expedition yachts that are travelling to interesting destinations to market on our website. Communicate this clearly and effectively to the team.
  • Networking with brokers, owners and captains to encourage expedition yachts to go off the beaten track.
  • Work with yacht owners to build expedition itineraries.

Project Management & trip logistics
  • Where an expedition charter is secured, active project management, and liaison with the yacht captain.
  • Help manage all logistical elements of trips including complex itineraries, contingencies and failsafe procedures, equipment sourcing, shipping; customs; immigration; transport; accommodation; transfers; staffing; supplies – especially where these are specific to yachts.

Trip and Project Finances
  • Reporting to the Managing Director to ensure all budgets are accurately created within margin guidelines with all aspects covered – including appropriate financial buffers and contingencies in a clear and understandable format.
  • Financial ownership for issuing invoices, ensuring funds are received in a timely manner and overseeing all payments to suppliers, consultants and relevant third parties.
  • Ensure that all trips represent value for money to clients through effective negotiation and prudent accounting.

Contingency Planning
  • Ensuring that all itineraries are fully analysed, and that disruption risk is minimised through the generation of effective contingencies and failsafe procedures.

Compliance
  • Work with CA Operations to ensure all trip elements are delivered in a compliant and legal manner both in the UK and the local environment.

Team Management & HR
  • Effective management of any junior reports (none immediately, though the intention is for the team to grow).

Product & Content/Concept Creation
  • Work with the projects team to build and create new and unique content with sales and booking framework to market to UHNW clients.
  • Create digestible, pre-priced bolt on itineraries for central agents to market and sell.
  • Source suitable yachts for yacht based press trips – Build and operate these press trips.
  • Source relevant yacht FAM trips for the business.
  • Work with the marketing team to ensure that all trip concepts and detailed presentations are accurate and communicated to clients as effectively as possible, this will also cover newsletters and website content.
  • Attend yacht focused trade shows and conduct general networking to sustain product knowledge and relationships on and individual level and throughout the team.
  • Conduct internal product and destination training sessions and arrange training sessions with external suppliers where appropriate.

3rd Party Management
  • Negotiate and build longstanding relationships with 3rd party superyacht suppliers and operators worldwide to enhance the CA network. Shipyards, designers etc etc.
  • Assist the BD team to develop relationships with Ambassadors and Partners where applicable, especially in the superyacht ecosystem.
  • You may be required to fulfil other reasonable tasks as we may require from time to time in line with your role.

Experience & Qualifications Required

  • Business related degree desirable
  • 10 years' experience in superyact sector
  • Network and relationships with yachting industry

Date posted: 19 January 2024
 

Please apply by email to [email protected] with CV and cover letter