President

About Mayflower Cruises & Tours :

• Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, Mayflower Cruises & Tours has grown from a regional tour operator into a nationally recognized leader in guided travel.
• For more than four decades, Mayflower has specialized in delivering life-enriching journeys across the globe — from scenic North American adventures to river cruises and international explorations.
• As part of the Scenic Group, Mayflower Cruises & Tours shares the same commitment to excellence, innovation, and guest satisfaction that defines Scenic and Emerald Cruises.
• Together, these brands offer travelers a world of opportunities — from luxury river and ocean cruising to expertly curated land and rail journeys.  Today, Mayflower Cruises & Tours proudly connects travelers to the world’s most remarkable destinations, combining personalized service with the global strength and quality of the Scenic Group to create unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.
• At Mayflower Cruises & Tours , we create unforgettable journeys — and we’re looking for a President who shares our passion for travel, excellence, and people.
• Lead our dedicated team from our corporate office in Lisle, Illinois.
• The President will serve as the senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership and ensuring operational excellence.
• Accountable for shaping and executing business strategy, optimizing financial performance, and driving sustainable growth, this role will ensure brand strength, service excellence, and organizational efficiency.
• The President will cultivate a high-performance culture focused on innovation, profitability, and long-term competitive advantage.
• Develop and execute the company’s long-term strategy in alignment with the Board of Directors’ goals.
• Identify new business opportunities, partnerships, and markets to expand the company’s global footprint.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee day-to-day business operations.
• Ensure efficient management of cruise operations, tour programs, customer service, and destination management.
• Drive operational efficiency and implement best practices to maximize profitability.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in collaboration with the CFO.
• Present financial and operational performance updates to the Board.
• Lead brand strategy, marketing, and public relations to enhance visibility and market competitiveness.
• Oversee customer engagement strategies to drive bookings and long-term loyalty.
• Build, lead, and retain a high-performing team.
• Product Development & Strategic Oversight – Provide executive leadership in the development and management of all land-based products, working closely with the team responsible for creating and maintaining these offerings.
• Collaborate across functions to identify market opportunities, design innovative tours, and ensure alignment with the company’s brand and growth strategy.
• Oversee the approval of new tours, establish competitive pricing, and implement yield management strategies to maximize both profitability and guest satisfaction.
• Continuously leverage market trends, competitor analysis, and customer feedback to refine and expand the land product portfolio.
• Cruise Product Strategy & Integration – Direct the development of cruise-related programs in partnership with the Scenic Group, with a focus on crafting seamless land experiences that elevate the overall journey.
• Define the land components included with cruise itineraries, establish competitive pricing strategies, and manage yields to achieve financial targets.
• Ensure offerings are well-positioned in the marketplace by leveraging industry research, competitor analysis, and customer feedback to deliver differentiated, high-value cruise-and-land packages.
• Marketing Strategy & Oversight – Lead the overall marketing vision, ensuring initiatives are strategically aligned with company objectives and deliver measurable impact.
• Oversee brand positioning, advertising, and digital engagement to maximize visibility and customer acquisition.
• Direct resource allocation toward high-return opportunities, while guiding the team in developing campaigns and partnerships that drive growth and strengthen the company’s competitive presence in the market.
• Sales Leadership & Relationship Management – Drive the company’s sales strategy with a strong focus on relationship building and market expansion.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Sales team, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and performance excellence.
• Actively cultivate and maintain key relationships with group leaders, partners, and industry stakeholders, serving as a highly visible and engaged leader.
• Leverage market insights and performance metrics to refine sales approaches, strengthen client partnerships, and secure sustainable long-term growth.
• Operational Leadership – Lead day-to-day operations across tours, transportation, air services, and customer support.
• Empower teams to achieve operational excellence while maintaining high service standards.
• Set clear objectives, track key performance indicators, and ensure all operations are conducted efficiently and profitably.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Finance Leadership – Collaborate with the Finance team to develop, manage, and monitor organizational budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational priorities.
• Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and analysis, and participate in month-end and quarterly reporting alongside Scenic executives.
• Provide insights and recommendations to support profitable growth, optimize resource allocation, and ensure fiscal discipline across all departments.
• Serve as a key decision-maker in financial strategy and risk management.
• Information Technology Leadership – Oversee technology operations, including management of the local network and upgrades to the reservation system.
• Ensure that IT infrastructure and applications, including the Reservation system, are secure, reliable, and optimized to support business operations.
• Qualifications Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including at least 8–10 years in a senior executive role (Vice President, President, or equivalent) within the cruise, travel, hospitality, or tourism industry. 10+ years of experience overseeing cruise, hospitality, and land tour operations. 10+ years driving brand positioning and luxury service standards, with deep expertise in delivering differentiated guest experiences.
• Proven ability to manage complex P&L responsibilities, with 10+ years of experience in budgeting, financial planning, and cost management within corporate environments .
• Experience engaging with boards of directors, investors, regulators, and global partners to align strategy and performance.
• Proven success in strategic planning, market expansion, and large-scale operational execution.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, CRM / database management, and event management software.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 35%.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at the executive level.
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