Director, Ports and Destination Strategy

The Director of Global Ports and Destinations Strategy serves as a key strategic leader within the Global Ports and Destinations Development (GPDD) team. This role will support the VP in spearheading global initiatives aimed at fostering cross brand port operations alignment, developing new port and destination opportunities, and managing high-level government and stakeholder engagements. The scope includes strategic negotiation, financial analysis, cost optimization, and development support across a network of ports handling approximately 17 million passengers annually.

Essential Functions:

Corporate Berthing Agreements & New Development Opportunities

• Support negotiations and lead commercial management for berthing agreements across major North American homeports and destination ports of call 

• Develop business cases for new port and destination opportunities within North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

• Consolidate and harmonize global port agreements across all brand portfolios, ensuring alignment of commercial terms and governance.

Competitive Intelligence & Strategic Insight

• Collect and synthesize global competitive intelligence

• Extract insights from financial and deployment data to inform negotiation strategies and executive decision-making

• Create and deliver high-impact presentations for senior leadership

Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Represent the company in discussions and negotiations with government officials and port authorities.

• Facilitate development partnerships and regulatory approvals in target regions.

• Engage regularly with executive leadership 

• Collaborate with Deployment, Maritime, and Government Relations teams across the Americas

• Work in close partnership with the GPDD leadership to execute strategic initiatives

Port Cost Optimization.

• Drive strategic initiatives to optimize global port costs by leveraging scale, improving processes, and minimizing risk. 

• Conduct system-wide cost analysis

• Standardize port cost categorization across brands

• Oversee port agency reviews and optimize processes for greater efficiency and improved governance

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to adhere to the company’s standards regarding dress and appearance.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and data protection standards when handling vendor financial or business documents

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment as necessary.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask effectively. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with data entry and reporting tools.

• Detail orientated with a proactive approach to problem solving.

• Ability to multi-task and think critically

• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Strong planning and coordination skills, especially in handling multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• Must be physically fit. 

• Ability to work in an outdoor environment as needed.

• May need to stand for long periods of time.

• May be requested to work a shift schedule while at any of the destinations. 

• Consistent Across All Roles (Do Not Remove):

• Knowledge:  Understanding of workplace policies and procedures / Familiarity with team collaboration tools and techniques.

• Skills:  Strong time management and organizational skills

• Abilities:  Ability to maintain reliable and consistent attendance / Capacity to be punctual and meet deadlines / Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and work as part of a team / Demonstrated professionalism in all interactions and tasks.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in BUSINESS/HOSPITALITY is required or equivalent experience. MBA is strongly preferred.

• Exceptional negotiation skills, business sense and results driven approach.  Excellent problem solving, senior level communication and strategy-development skills. High degree of self-motivation, resilience, tenacity and dedication, with aspirations for a long-term career in this area.        

• Fluent Spanish required

• 6-10 years of professional experience with cruise industry experience preferred; international experience is a must. 

• Experience in building and maintaining effective relationships, interacting with senior executives, peers and teams across multiple functions/departments

• Demonstrated curiosity and interest in learning the cruise business and its performance drivers, and ability to quickly come up the learning curve.  Ability to balancing short-term, more tactical needs and opportunities with long term, strategic challenges and imperatives.

Travel:  More than 50% non-shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions:  Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “in-office.”  As an in-office role, it requires employees to work from a designated Carnival office in South Florida Tuesday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Mondays and Fridays.  Candidates must be located in (or willing to relocate to) the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. 

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience.   

At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including: 

• Health Benefits: 
  • Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans 
  • Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources 
  • Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage  
• Financial Benefits: 
  • 401(k) plan that includes a company match 
  • Employee Stock Purchase plan 
• Paid Time Off 
  • Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.  
  • Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year.  All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure. 
  • Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year.  Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.   
• Other Benefits 
  • Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends 
  • Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement  
  • On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus 

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