Commercial Director (Australia & New Zealand)

Role Overview

Explora Journeys is a European luxury travel brand rooted in Swiss hospitality and headquartered in Geneva. Backed by the maritime heritage of MSC Group, the company is creating a new standard in luxury cruising for modern travellers.

This leadership position is responsible for steering the trade sales function across Australia and New Zealand while also shaping the direct-to-consumer commercial approach. The role carries full accountability for commercial results, operational delivery, and KPI performance.

The ideal candidate will bring strategic thinking, commercial judgement, financial rigour, and confident leadership to deliver strong revenue results and foster a high-performing culture that reflects an ultra-luxury brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and deliver the commercial sales plan across both trade and direct-to-consumer channels.
• Improve revenue, yield, and margin performance across all source markets.
• Ensure sales activity supports the brand’s positioning and premium guest experience.
• Spot new income opportunities, market expansion options, and growth partnerships.
• Lead the trade sales team to outperform on revenue, yield, and acquisition goals.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with travel consortia, luxury agencies, and distribution partners.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with trade partners and consortium agreements, ensuring terms protect luxury brand value while supporting sustainable growth.
• Maintain disciplined account management, pipeline progression, and performance reporting.
• Own sales budgets, forecasting, and revenue planning cycles end to end.
• Produce reliable rolling forecasts and long-term plans aligned with business targets.
• Track commercial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Shape a performance-led culture with clear ownership and measurable KPIs.
• Strengthen engagement, collaboration, and alignment across functions.
• Help create an environment that attracts, develops, and retains high-calibre talent.
• Promote a culture of excellence, ambition, and desirability that matches an ultra-luxury brand.
• Oversee onshore and offshore call centre performance, including conversion, revenue per call, and guest satisfaction outcomes.

Experience and Skills

• At least 10 years of experience in luxury travel or luxury hospitality, with strong exposure to both B2B and B2C sales.
• Advanced analytical ability and confidence using Power BI or a similar platform.
• A strong network and solid understanding of key partners and major clients in the travel sector across Australia and New Zealand.
• Proven leadership and people management capability, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Good command of Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Availability for evening or weeknight calls with the Switzerland head office.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Sydney, and the expected start is as soon as possible in 2026.

Explora Journeys is building a new kind of luxury ocean travel experience, combining discovery, wellbeing, and respect for the sea. The company is looking for people who are passionate about shaping a more immersive and transformative way to explore the world by sea.