Associate Director of Product Development - Job Description

About Holbrook

Holbrook is dedicated to offering quality educational, natural history, and specialty travel coordination to groups and individuals. Major channels of distribution of our product include educational institutions, nature organizations, and photography clubs, a wide array of special interest clubs and also families and friends. Holbrook also owns and operates Selva Verde Lodge and Private Reserve in Costa Rica.

Our primary areas of expertise include but not limited to Latin America and Africa. Countries such as Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, India, Iceland, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are some of the regions in which we create our own programs through direct negotiation. 

About This Position

The position will be responsible for managing the current product line and for developing new programs, obtaining new and assessing of existing supplier relationships focused on cost reduction & management and service quality, with the goal of ensuring the company maintains its competitive advantage with a focus on Central America (but not limited to). By fully understanding customer and company needs, the ideal candidate is able to maximize profitability without sacrificing quality and provide a range of high quality products at competitive prices. Communication is essential in this role as it cuts across regions, several functions and clients. Maintaining communication and ensuring all issues and timelines are met and managed will ensure success in this role. Through strong vendor relationships and fully understanding customer and company needs, the position is challenged with maximizing profitability and ensuring quality and service levels are achieved.

Essential Job Responsibilities

  • Travel internationally for the purpose of developing & delivering new, competitive, high-quality, international travel programs
  • International contract negotiation
  • Maintain excellence on existing travel programs through continual analysis to ensure efficient delivery of services and a high level of customer satisfaction
  • Strengthen and improve relationships with existing vendors and source new ones for future travel programs
  • Increase product efficiency through cost reduction
  • Coordinate research needs on destinations and travel programs as needed
  • Attend trade shows as needed to support sales growth with travel program expertise
  • Coordinate analysis on market trends and competitor offerings to ensure Holbrook Travel and its clients are effectively positioned in the market
  • Support Group Leader & Site Coordinator training
  • Offer support and quality control that supports all product collateral and content, including brochures, trip details and website
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of product training materials, to ensure a high level of product knowledge throughout the organization
  • Work with Quality Management team to ensure contracted services are achieving company goals related to service level expectations 

Required Skills & Knowledge​

  • Bachelor’s Degree required
  • 3+ years’ experience in the travel industry
  • 2+ years’ buyer/negotiating experience
  • Experience developing or managing travel programs, preferably in Central America with emphasis on negotiations & itinerary maintenance & development
  • Ability to travel extensively and with short notice
  • Commitment to customer service
  • Ability to manage a crisis
  • Fluency in Spanish & English
  • Comfortable working with numbers & spreadsheets
  • Polished, professional verbal/written communication required
  • Ability to work in a team environment
  • Organizational/Time Management Skills: Job may require working on multiple concurrent projects. Candidates must be able to work efficiently and in an organized manner in order to meet project deadlines.
  • Proficient knowledge of MS Office products and computer savvy to be able to learn internal programs and systems

To apply

Please email resume and non-generic cover letter with salary expectations (a must for consideration, a range is fine) to pelin@holbrooktravel.com.