Head of Cruise Partner Relations

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven leader to elevate and expand our cruise partner portfolio. You'll lead the strategy, negotiations, and execution of high-impact cruise partnerships—building programs that inspire our advisors, delight our travelers, and strengthen our brand position as a leader in luxury travel.

The ideal candidate brings a mix of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and deep cruise industry relationships. In this newly created role and function you'll have the chance to build something truly impactful within a high-growth, innovation-focused environment.

Job Description

As a strategic planner and thinker, the Head of Cruise Partner Relations holds the key responsibility for formulating and implementing a partnership strategy aimed at driving revenue growth and product adoption. The ideal candidate will take the lead in designing and creating exclusive partnership programs and services, identifying, and engaging with strategic partners, negotiating partnership agreements, and nurturing partner relationships.

This position has direct oversight of the exclusive cruise programs, and will take charge of managing the partnership sales budget, and monitoring performance metrics. Collaboration with other teams is pivotal to enhance program offerings, and data-driven adjustments are made to optimize results. Routine reporting to the executive team is a crucial aspect of this role.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute Kensington's cruise partnership strategy to drive revenue growth, profitability, and differentiation across our travel brands.
• Build, evolve, and oversee our preferred cruise partner portfolio, including exclusive programs, hosted sailings, and amenity offerings.
• Identify and secure new partnership opportunities with leading and emerging cruise lines.
• Leverage data and market insights to guide decision-making, evaluate performance, and refine strategy.

Partnership Development & Negotiation

• Lead negotiations for global contracts encompassing commissions, overrides, amenities, and cooperative marketing.
• Cultivate high-level relationships with cruise line executives to strengthen collaboration and secure competitive advantage.
• Partner with internal stakeholders—Marketing, Product, Technology, and Advisor Operations teams—to maximize partner visibility and adoption.
• Manage partner business reviews and ensure alignment on mutual goals, performance, and innovation opportunities.

Execution & Collaboration

• Work closely with Ensemble, Kensington Tours, and Travel Edge sales networks to ensure partner programs are effectively communicated, implemented, and optimized.
• Collaborate with TripArc's technology team to integrate exclusive cruise programming into ADX and digital tools.
• Oversee partnership budgets, co-op marketing initiatives, and promotional planning.
• Track KPIs, measure ROI, and deliver reporting and insights to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in supplier relations, procurement, or account management within the cruise or broader travel industry.
• Proven success developing and executing partnership strategies that drive measurable growth and value.
• Deep understanding of the cruise industry ecosystem and established executive-level relationships.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing advantageous commercial terms.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex, multi-brand initiatives.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into strategy and insights.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Entrepreneurial, agile, and comfortable navigating a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Experience in the luxury travel segment is a strong asset.

Who You Are

• A strategic builder who thrives on creating value through innovation and relationships.
• Collaborative, confident, and driven by results.
• Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Passionate about the cruise sector and luxury travel experiences.
• Energized by autonomy and ownership—you see opportunity where others see complexity.

Why Join Us

At Kensington, you'll join a visionary collective that's transforming the travel industry. You'll have the freedom to build, lead, and shape the cruise category for one of the most innovative travel organizations in the world—supported by a team that values creativity, trust, and impact.