VP, Tour Operations

Responsibilities

• Lead the set-up and launch of the B2C tour operator division, including operating model, structure, and resourcing
• Develop scalable frameworks for product creation, packaging, and fulfilment
• Develop scalable product frameworks to accelerate speed to market
• Integrate tour operator capability with existing cruise, air, and hotel offerings
• Define the core product portfolio, aligned to brand positioning (luxury curated journeys, premium packaged holidays, experiential travel)
• Oversee tour design and itinerary development, ensuring strong differentiation
• Establish product pillars e.g., small-group tours, hosted departures, exclusive itineraries, land + cruise + pre/post bundling
• Ensure all products are commercially viable with strong margins
• Lead global supplier sourcing and contracting strategy, including hotels, airlines, DMCs, and experiences
• Direct procurement through negotiated net rates to support packaging and margin delivery
• Build preferred partnerships to enable exclusive product and competitive pricing
• Ensure consistency of delivery through Internova preferred partners
• Leverage The Vacation Group’s multi-channel distribution model: In-house advisors, Digital platforms (vacation.com and brand websites)
• Drive direct-to-consumer growth while optimizing internal advisor engagement
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to develop go-to-market strategies, campaigns, and product launches
• Stay ahead of consumer trends, including demand for more immersive and experiential travel
• Build and oversee the end-to-end package including: Booking fulfilment and packaging, Customer service and post-booking support, In-destination execution via DMCs
• Establish strong SOPs, service standards, and escalation frameworks
• Ensure a seamless, high-quality customer experience across all touchpoints
• Own full P&L accountability for the tour operator division
• Define pricing strategies and margin targets
• Monitor key performance metrics including: Revenue growth, Gross margin and contribution, Attach rates (air, hotel, pre/post packages)

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in tour operating, travel product, or leisure travel leadership
• Proven experience launching or scaling a tour operator or travel product business
• Strong expertise in contracting, packaging, and margin management
• Deep understanding of US B2C travel distribution and customer behavior
• Demonstrated success managing P&L and delivering growth
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management

Pay And Benefits

Our benefit offerings include choice of two medical plans and two dental plans, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), company-paid life insurance and AD&D, optional additional life insurance and AD&D, disability insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off, 401k Plan with company match, discounted employee travel options, access to LinkedIn Learning webinars and courses. Discounted pet insurance and auto, home, & renters insurance.

The salary range on this job posting/advertising has been developed to give applicants a wide range to comply with pay transparency laws in all states and geographical areas. Many factors, such as years of experience, geographical location, budget etc. are considered when determining the starting rate of pay. The salary range posted represents the pay range for U.S. candidates. If the job posting indicates that the role is available for international candidate consideration, the salary range will be based on the local market for the country where the candidate would be working.