Business Development Manager - Houston

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving B2B sales growth and expanding market share by developing strategic relationships with travel agents within an assigned territory. This role involves executing territory management plans, delivering training and marketing support, and promoting brand initiatives through in-person and virtual engagement. The Business Development Manager will work closely with the Sales leadership team, Strategic Partner Division, and Marketing to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and maximize agency performance. The ideal candidate will have strong sales acumen, excellent communication and presentation skills, and experience in travel industry account management or business development.
Essential Functions:
Territory Management & Strategic Sales Execution: Design and implement strategies for territory management and business development. Make assigned sales calls per week to travel agency accounts. Conduct sales blitzes to support specific company initiatives.
Travel Agent Relationship Building & Support: Foster long-term relationships with travel agents to drive sales growth. Maintain frequent contact with RVP/VP North America to ensure territory needs are met. Collaborate with the Strategic Partner Division to manage shared accounts.
Training & Education: Conduct training sessions and webinars to educate travel agents on Carnival Cruise Line offerings, promotions, and booking processes. Develop and deliver engaging training materials, including presentations, videos, and interactive content. Organize ship inspections, trade shows, pier side overnights, and seminars at sea.
Marketing & Promotional Strategy: Enhance promotional effectiveness and develop marketing strategies. Provide travel agents with promotional materials and make recommendations to improve agency marketing efforts.
Data Management & Reporting: Maintain accurate and detailed agency database through Oracle Sales Cloud or current CRM. Complete required reporting of activities and track budgeted tools.
Budget & Co-op Management: Manage territory budget and co-op marketing needs in alignment with corporate guidelines.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Scope: The Business Development Manager serves as the primary liaison between Carnival and travel agency partners within a designated territory. This role is responsible for managing a portfolio of accounts, executing strategic sales initiatives, and delivering training and marketing support to drive revenue growth. The BDM operates independently in the field, representing the brand and ensuring alignment with corporate objectives across all agency interactions.
Problem solving: The BDM must navigate a dynamic and competitive travel landscape, identifying opportunities for growth and resolving challenges that arise within agency relationships. This includes adapting strategies to meet territory-specific needs, analyzing performance data to inform decision-making, and responding to market shifts with agility. This requires a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and leveraging insights to optimize sales outcomes.
Impact: This role directly influences Carnival Cruise Line’s market share and revenue performance through strategic engagement with travel agents. By fostering long-term relationships, delivering impactful training, and promoting brand initiatives, the BDM ensures that Carnival remains top-of-mind among agency partners. Success in this role contributes to increased bookings, enhanced brand visibility, and stronger partnerships across the travel distribution channel.
Leadership: While not a direct people manager, the BDM demonstrates leadership through influence, collaboration, and strategic guidance. The role involves leading training sessions, coordinating cross-functional initiatives with internal teams (e.g., Strategic Partner Division), and serving as a trusted advisor to travel agents. The BDM also contributes to the broader sales strategy by sharing territory insights and participating in company-wide promotional efforts.
Essential/Minimal Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
5+ years of proven experience in sales and marketing, preferably within the travel or hospitality industry
Essential Experience Required:
Proven experience in sales, preferably within the travel or hospitality industry
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Strong understanding of travel agent distribution channel.
Self- motivated, proactive, and results oriented.
Travel: 25-50% with non-shipboard travel likely
Work Conditions: Work may require employee to work inside and/or outside with exposure to changing climate and/or operate machinery.
Physical Demands:
This position is classified as “remote.” As a remote role, it allows employees to work full-time from their home. It may also require regular travel to Carnival headquarters in Miami, FL for in-office collaboration.
At Carnival, your total rewards package is much more than your base salary. All non-sales roles participate in an annual cash bonus program, while sales roles have an incentive plan. Director and above roles may also be eligible to participate in Carnival’s discretionary equity incentive plan. Plus, Carnival provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:
Health Benefits:
Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
Additional programs include company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
Financial Benefits:
401(k) plan that includes a company match
Employee Stock Purchase plan
Paid Time Off
Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.
Other Benefits
Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus
#CCL
About Us
At Carnival Cruise Line, our mission is to consistently deliver safe, fun, and memorable vacations at a great value. As the world’s most popular cruise line, we offer a variety of unique experiences across our fleet, ensuring that every voyage is filled with excitement and discovery. From world-class entertainment and dining to exploring stunning destinations, we create lasting memories for our guests while maintaining a dedication to the places we visit and the lives we touch.
Join us and embark on a career that offers not only the chance to grow professionally but also the opportunity to be part of a global community that makes a difference.
In addition to other duties/functions, this position requires full commitment and support for promoting ethical and compliant culture. More specifically, this position requires integrity, honesty, and respectful treatment of others, as well as a willingness to speak up when they see misconduct or have concerns.
Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. In this regard, it does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law.
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Work arrangement
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