The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end design and launch of Trafalgar’s new River Cruise portfolio, focusing on shore experiences and itinerary development. They will collaborate across departments to ensure operational excellence, financial performance, and high guest satisfaction.
ABOUT US Our philosophy at The Travel Corporation (TTC) is simple, we create enriching experiences for travelers by combining an unbeatable mix of exceptional service and quality at great value.
As a global business with over 100 years of experience in the travel industry, our ethos of being ‘Driven by Service’, ensures we keep our values of passion, people and purpose at the heart of everything we do - designing and running immersive, innovative and responsible travel experiences for our guests across 70 countries. Join us in creating life-changing moments for every guest across our award-winning brands and experience the TTC difference.
OUR VALUES
Driven by service
An inherent passion for travel
Commitment to our customers and to our people
Commitment to social responsibility and our 5-year sustainability strategy
POSITION SUMMARY We’re seeking a dynamic and strategic Product Development Manager to design, launch, and continuously refine Trafalgar’s new River Cruise portfolio, creating immersive journeys that bring Trafalgar’s signature connection to people, places, and culture to life on the water. The focus of this role will be on shore experiences, extensions, and optional experiences. It will work closely with other teams responsible for hospitality, onboard entertainment, operations, ship design, and marketing. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping a brand-new product line that will redefine how guests experience river cruising, combining Trafalgar’s renowned storytelling and local expertise with the comfort and charm of life aboard a river vessel. In this role, you will own the product vision and lead the end-to-end development of Trafalgar’s River itineraries, from concept and design to launch and ongoing optimization. You’ll collaborate closely with regional teams, operations, marketing, and commercial stakeholders to ensure each journey delivers exceptional guest satisfaction, strong financial performance, and seamless operational execution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Product Strategy & Development: Define the strategic framework and product roadmap for Trafalgar River, ensuring alignment with the brand’s philosophy of cultural discovery, genuine connection and effortless travel.
Itinerary Design: Develop and launch distinctive river cruise itineraries across the Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine and future destinations, covering routing, sailing schedules, shore excursions, inclusions and day-by-day experiences.
Commercial Performance: Partner with Revenue Management, Yield and Commercial teams to support pricing, deployment, load factor strategies and margin optimization.
Contracting & Supplier Partnerships: Collaborate with Tracoin, Uniworld and contracting teams to identify and secure suitable river cruise partners and shore experience suppliers, ensuring quality and cost targets.
Guest Experience & Quality: Define and continuously enhance the end-to-end guest experience, ensuring consistent quality, service standards and compelling storytelling across on-board and onshore touchpoints.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the central link between Product, Contracting, Operations, Hospitality, Nautical and Marketing teams to ensure seamless product development and delivery.
Market Research & Innovation: Conduct competitive analysis and market research to identify trends, guest expectations and opportunities for product differentiation.
Product Launch & Brand Positioning: Partner with Marketing and Content teams to develop compelling product narratives, support brand positioning and ensure market readiness through clear briefings and operational documentation.
Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement: Establish quality assurance processes, analyse guest feedback, brief Cruise Directors and on-board teams on the product vision, and drive continuous improvement in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE
Deep knowledge of (in particular, European) destinations and waterways, including routing, port logistics, and excursion feasibility
Significant experience in product development or contracting within cruising industry (global experience advantageous)
Proven ability to translate brand identity into guest-centered product design
Excellent collaboration skills, working effectively across multiple functions and stakeholders
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, able to convey clear vision and inspire cross-functional alignment
Entrepreneurial mindset, motivated by building and scaling a new product category
Strategic thinker with meticulous attention to operational detail
High proficiency in Excel for costing, itinerary management, and product tracking
Creative and culturally curious, with a passion for connecting travelers to the heart of each destination
Collaborative and approachable, embodying Trafalgar’s warm and human brand spirit
Committed to responsible tourism and the TTC goal to Make Travel Matter®
TRAVEL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS Work Location: Remote based in EU or UK - details to be agreed with line manager Travel: International travel required
ROLE SUCCESS CRITERIA
Launching new itineraries on new vessels in line with our Value Creation plan that will be competitive, innovative and drive passenger growth.
Modify existing itinerary to drive sales and guest satisfaction.
Demonstrate strong commercial acumen, working with the finance team to model costs, assess ROI, and drive profitable growth.
KPIs on Sales targets and NPS targets will be set with the successful applicant in line with business expectations
Note: Due tolegalrequirements, we can only accept applicants from EU/EEA/CH/UK. We welcome internal and external candidates.
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Marketing Manager
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