Strategic Business Development Manager - Australia (NSW/ACT or QLD)

About the role

Azamara Cruises, a premium cruise line focused on destination immersion, is growing in Australia and is looking for a Strategic Business Development Manager to own and grow a territory of travel-trade partnerships. This is a remote, full-time position based in Australia (NSW/ACT or QLD) with genuine autonomy, real travel and the backing of a global team. You will be the face of Azamara to agencies in your region, building sales and marketing plans for a portfolio of travel partners across trade, MICE and commercial channels.

Key responsibilities

• Grow your territory and strategic accounts, and build an account plan that opens new business and deepens relationships.
• Manage a portfolio of trade partners, including strategic accounts, at every level of account and sales management.
• Drive business development activity for the region's Top 75 accounts and deliver against plan.
• Develop activity plans that meet commercial targets and KPIs, and hold monthly and quarterly account-plan reviews with top partners.
• Work with sales leadership and account teams to build a business plan for each top partner.
• Deliver a structured training program on product and selling group cruise holidays, and partner with the Sales Support team to keep the travel-agent channel active.
• Work with the sales team and the Miami team to develop MICE opportunities.
• Use BI and insights to measure the ROI of business development funds, monitor competitors and adapt strategy.
• Represent the brand as an expert, host and attend expos and trade fairs, and lead client educational trips such as seminars at sea, ship launches and ship visits.
• Take on ad hoc analysis and projects supporting strategic growth.

Required profile

• At least 3 years' experience in the cruise, travel, hospitality or hotel sector in a commercial or account-management capacity.
• Track record of success in business development and strategic account management in the travel sector.
• Proven ability to deliver sales and marketing plans and manage business proactively.
• Current Australian driver's licence; flexibility to work variable hours and travel 25-50%+ across the territory.

Required skills

• Confident presentation, public speaking and negotiation skills.
• Project-management, problem-solving and change-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship-building.
• Self-motivation, resilience and adaptability.

What we offer

• Remote-first, flexible working with genuine territory ownership.
• Competitive salary, superannuation and an incentive plan.
• Six-month probationary period; reports to the Director of Sales.