Senior Manager - Land Licensing, Adventures & Expeditions

The Senior Manager, Land Licensing is responsible for the licensing of the National Geographic brand to 3rd party land tour operators, specifically for the management and growth of our National Geographic Journeys business with Canada headquartered G Adventures and the launch of our National Geographic Day Tour business with Spanish headquartered Tui. You will manage two Partnership Managers and oversee the recruitment of a growing team.

You will be responsible for running an end to end ‘tour operation’ from: negotiating commercials and agreeing legal contracts; collaboratively developing itineraries with National Geographic educational components; vetting and approval of destinations (security, health & safety, Public Affairs); approval of itinerary components (flights, activities etc.); development of training, guidelines and standards for 3rd party tours; oversight and approval of 3rd party operator’s sales and marketing; support internal sales, marketing and public relations teams; post-trip evaluation of itineraries and guides; setting and delivering financial goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Land Travel Licensing team overseeing two Land Licensed businesses with both internal reports and large external international teams employed by 3rdparty tour operators.

• Develop the strategic direction and plans for NGE’s land licensed business.

• Deliver LTP and AOP numbers with objective of growing Licensed Land. Provide Licensing team support to deliver requests from Finance for financial planning and analysis work for all products.  Meet all reporting, budgeting and forecasting deadlines.

• Create brand licensing standards for Trip Development, Trip Operations, Trip Security/Risk Management, Product Quality, Guest Relations and Marketing for the entire portfolio of products operated by licensed operators and ensures they are adhered to.

• Understand key metrics and trends to help maximize business efficiencies and results.  Drive performance expectations and accountability to exceed goals.

• Set parameters for contract negotiations with licensed operators to ensure LTP targets are achieved and internal functional partner (PA/PR, Security, Marketing, etc.) needs are incorporated.

• Oversee the people and process for signing off any communications produced by Licensed Operators in line with Brand Guidelines, avoiding sub-licensing and protecting the brand at all times.

• Resolve and/or highlight issues and challenges from/with Licensed Operators.

Requirements:

• At least 10 years travel industry experience which should include land group tour operating and ideally activities and excursions.

• Experience of land product trip development and operations.

• Understanding of branding, websites, trade sales and marketing acquisition including international markets (notably for our National Geographic Day Tour product).

• 3 years' experience managing licensed business and distribution partnerships.

• Deep understanding of the National Geographic storytelling and brand values.

• Self-starter with entrepreneurial attitude and ideally experience of setting up and running a business.

• Experience of/or potential to lead/manage a team.

• Proven ability to prepare strategic business plans and financial forecasts.

• Ability to communicate, negotiate and influence up to C-suite level.

• Experience of working with legal teams, briefing and executing legal agreements.

• Strong Project Management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field.

This position may be located in Orlando, UK (where the head of licensing is headquartered), or Spain (where the licensee has operations).  EMEA job posting is forthcoming.

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