Commercial Development Officer UK & Northern Europe

TUI Cruises is one of the leading cruise operators in the German-speaking market. The joint venture between TUI AG and the US cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. employs around 750 people in Hamburg and Berlin. A total of 136 onboard positions are managed directly by TUI Cruises .The Mein Schiff® brand operates a fleet of nine ships. Since the end of 2020, the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand, with a fleet of five ships, has also been part of TUI Cruises. The Mein Schiff® fleet offers contemporary premium cruise holidays at sea, including Mein Schiff 1 to Mein Schiff 7, as well as Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow. With a history spanning more than 130 years, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in the German-speaking market. Its fleet comprises MS EUROPA, MS EUROPA 2, HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, and HANSEATIC spirit. TUI Cruises operates one of the world's most modern and environmentally and climate-friendly fleets.

TUI Cruises GmbH is looking for a full-time employee based in the United Kingdom (e.g. ideally working and living in the Greater London area) at the earliest possible date:

Commercial Development Officer UK & Northern Europe (all gender)

WHAT AWAITS YOU

• You will be responsible for building the commercial foundation for TUI Cruises in the UK and Northern Europe, with the objective of successfully establishing our brand in the market and driving initial growth opportunities.
• You will report directly to the Vice President Commercial and support the definition, prioritization and execution of strategic initiatives and projects that have an impact across the entire business.
• You will drive the strategic development and expansion of TUI Cruises’ commercial presence in the UK and Northern Europe, establishing and scaling a local Commercial team based in UK.

Your future focus areas:

• Commercial Build-Up & Go-to-Market:
  • You will identify the most relevant sales channels, growth opportunities and brand drivers, translating these insights into a market-ready setup for sales, distribution, and marketing/media partnerships.
  • You will contribute to the definition and planning of the market entry strategy, as well as the ongoing development of the product offering for the UK and Northern Europe regions and create a realistic go-to-market model for the first 24 months.
  • In doing so, you will collaborate closely with teams in Hamburg, including Finance, People & Culture, Sales, Media, E-Commerce, Revenue Management and Flight.

• Sales & Distribution:
• • You will be responsible for building and developing a robust sales network within the travel industry, securing initial commercial agreements, partnerships and distribution structures, thereby contributing to a holistic commercial platform, including direct-to-consumer (D2C) touchpoints via our website and mobile app.
  • You will work closely with the Sales teams in Hamburg to align core sales processes and commercial steering mechanisms with the specific requirements of the UK and Northern Europe markets.

• Market Insight & Innovation:
  • You will continuously monitor the UK and Irish travel markets, with a particular focus on trends within the cruise industry and translate market developments into actionable recommendations.
  • You will develop a deep understanding of the UK and Irish cruise markets, including the competitive landscape, consumer behavior and the brand dynamics that shape purchasing decisions.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Several years of relevant leadership experience within the travel industry or, alternatively, the leisure or hospitality sector, in a commercial function (e.g., Sales, Marketing, Business Development, etc.).
• Proven experience in developing sales structures and distribution channels, or in expanding a tourism brand or product into new markets.
• Extensive experience in planning, defining, and delivering large-scale projects, with a demonstrated track record of successfully optimizing (digital) business processes and operational workflows.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and credibly with senior executives, as well as extensive experience in internal and external stakeholder management at a senior level.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset, combined with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to work, as well as empathy, diplomatic sensitivity and a strong execution focus.
• Excellent presentation skills and the ability to distill complex topics into clear, structured and compelling messages.
• Strong intercultural competence and in-depth understanding of the key considerations involved in launching a brand in the UK market, including how to successfully establish processes and build strategic partnerships.
• Experience working within an international organization or a matrix-structured corporate environment, including a proven track record in building, scaling, and leading new teams and business functions.

OUR BENEFITS

• Flexible hours and working time culture as well as remote working/mobile office
• Competitive salary package with annual performance bonus
• Generous discounts on cruises across our fleets and many other discounts within the tourism industry
• 30 days' annual leave plus public holidays
• A collaborative and values-driven culture built on respect, trust and sustainability
• Regular performance and career development reviews to support your professional growth
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provided by voiio