Voyage Director - Tradewind Voyages

ROLE DESCRIPTION – VOYAGE DIRECTOR

Please note the successful candidate must have experience and a genuine interest in sailing.

Role Overview: Tradewind Voyages Onboard Representative. The Voyage Director is the voice and the face of Tradewind Voyages and oversees delivery of the entire onboard product.

Reporting to: Dual reporting to the Tradewind Voyages Product Director and PEEL Senior Management Representative.
Rank: 4 stripe officer equivalent, part of the onboard senior management team.
Responsible for: Responsible for the direction of all elements of TWV product and revenue generation including Entertainment, Activities & Water Sports and line management of Spa, Shop and Shore Excursions.Provide guest feedback to the Hotel Manager on board and to the Product Director ashore in regard to the hotel product delivery standards and procedures.
Fee: Fee negotiable by experience.
Contract Length: Depending on itinerary we expect the contract length to be approximately 10 - 18 weeks on and 4-8 weeks off itinerary dependant. We anticipate this being a renewable contract once a successful probation has been completed.

Specific Responsibilities

Main Duties:

As a senior member of the onboard management team you will be expected to take responsibility for the delivery of the onboard product. This involves meeting with departmental heads on board regarding all elements of the front facing guest experience and onboard revenue.

Lead and develop all aspects of entertainment and activities programming.

Carry out company policies and directives to ensure that the programmes are as specified or approved and are delivered according to PEEL/Tradewind Voyages standards.

Oversee the scheduling of guest entertainment and activities, taking full account of guest profiles, nationalities and ages and ensuring that the specified schedules are publicised via onboard marketing tools.

Oversee onboard communications and ensure that the Daily Programme is produced accurately.

Oversee, direct and delegate (where appropriate) the delivery and operations of all facets of guest experiences and activities, ensuring a high-quality experience in line with Tradewind Voyages brand proposition.

Provide management and leadership to the Water Sports Manager, Spa Manager, Shop Manager and Shore Excursions Manager.

Attend all Departmental, Senior Management and Captain’s meetings and lead Product meetings as required.

Provide revenue and target analysis and subsequently present reports on Spa, Shop and Shore Excursion to other senior Management on board and on land.

Provide guidance and leadership to the Assistant Voyage Director, Marina Sports Staff, Resident Destination Speaker, Musicians, Local Acts and other Visiting Acts and Musicians.

Promote revenue generating opportunities with the aim of maximising on board revenue, in full liaison with Heads of Department and within the brand objectives of Tradewind Voyages.

Carry out entertainment and activities and to lead by example.

Provide motivation and support to your teams to enable them to carry out their role.

Deliver the main public address announcements as required and be the voice that guests rely on for information (subject to PA announcement guidelines).

Take a key role in further developing the entertainment product, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement and new offering.

Undertake quality control of all entertainment and report to PEEL with weekly updates and support the preparation of a monthly report for Tradewind Voyages pre -prepared by PEEL.
Carry out all necessary appraisals and performance reviews within the department.

Responsible for ensuring the smooth embarkation of local acts and new entertainment crew.

Supervise and/or carry out disciplinary/breach of contract procedures wherever necessary.

Deal with the handling of guest complaints where appropriate.

Work alongside PEEL head office in compiling information for guests that are itinerary specific.

Maintain a keen interest in sailing and provide guests with further information on the working of the vessel. This should include but not be limited to sailing and maritime history and the workings of the vessel.

Regular performance duties including but not limited to hosting light entertainment events, introducing and presenting lecturers/musicians/local artists and hosted tables. All to be carried out to a high standard as expected by PEEL and Tradewind Voyages.

To carry out any other reasonable duties as directed by PEEL.

Safety Duties:

Ensure that all entertainment & activities on board are carried out according to ship’s rules and regulations, PEEL company policy, health and safety guidelines, national laws of ports visited and customs regulations.

Ensure that all Watersports, Spa, Shop and Shore Excursions operations are carried out according to ship’s rules and regulations, PEEL company policy, health and safety guidelines, national laws of ports visited and customs regulations.

Ensure entertainment all team members under your control understand and act in accordance with ship’s rules and regulations, PEEL company policy, health and safety guidelines, national laws of ports visited and customs regulations.

Oversee the correct usage and storage of all resources, reporting any faults, damage and/or replacement requirements to PEEL.
Inspect and regularly check any technical equipment and report any issues to PEEL head office as soon as noted.

Supervise the roles of Entertainment Team, Watersports team, Spa, Shop and Shore Ex members in fire, safety and lifeboat drills as directed.

Essentials Qualifications:

• Required STCW certificates (or willing to obtain)
• ENG1 or equivalent Seafarers medical (or willing to obtain)
• Seaman’s book (or willing to obtain)
• Essentials Qualities:
• Professional, Problem Solver, Friendly, Knowledgeable, Pragmatic and Passionate
• Experienced public speaker able to deliver knowledgeably, confidently, and with passion
• Ability to research and prepare information of destinations to add to guest experience
• Able to handle guest issues, turning a negative into a positive
• A leader who can inspire and develop a team focussed on product delivery and guest experience
• Being able to socialise with guests, host tables and interact in a relaxed and friendly not over familiar manner
• A pragmatic approach, adapting in line with guest needs and company demands
• Computer literate including good knowledge of PowerPoint/Keynote or Design
• An eye for detail, noticing problems and rectifying or reporting to appropriate colleagues to resolve
• Dedicated flexible team player, with a positive and approachable personality
• Professional appearance and well-groomed
• Able to give and take constructive feedback
• Ability to do research as required
• High standard of both written and spoken English language skills
• An enthusiasm for travel
• An enthusiasm traditional sailing
• Additional Preferred Qualities:
• Experience as a destination speaker
• A background in sailing or maritime history
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on technical equipment
• Additional skills eg: Photography, water sports proficiency, health, and wellbeing qualifications

Benefits:

• This position is a senior management position with guest privileges
• A solo occupancy cabin
• Competitive fee based on experience
• Bonus scheme based on consistently meeting KPI’s
• Regular contracts offered based on strong performance