Destination Operations Analyst

The Gig:

The Destinations Operations Analyst will be key in providing operational support to the Itineraries & Destinations team; performing analytical duties related to the port agency/operational budget planning, financial tracking, reporting and forecasting of worldwide ports, including pre-funding arrangements and reconciliation of port costs.  In addition, the Destinations Operations analyst will be processing contracts/agreements, verifying invoice rates and service according to budget/agreement as well as assisting with the vendor setup process.  This role will provide general analytical support and lead special assignments such as departmental presentations for Senior Leadership.  Destination Operations Analyst will also assist Revenue Management and Shore excursions Team to set pricing and manage inventory for product development.

This gig is based at VVHQ - our swanky Virgin Voyages Head Office in Plantation, FL where we follow a hybrid work environment. We can't wait to 'sea' you in person during our Collaboration Days, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, while you enjoy Mondays and Fridays' as remote days.

What You'll Be Up To:

• Provide input to  management team to formulate the annual operating plan
• Obtain port Disbursement Accounts (DA) for annual budget development
• Ensure annual competitive bids and comparative analysis are being performed for all port agent services
• Process Port Agent Agreement/Contracts for execution (NDAs, renewal tracking, AP Vendor Set up, Insurances, etc).
• Responsible for analysis of monthly departmental budget/forecast/accruals vs actual financial results (gap analysis) utilize tracking tools as needed for PortOps/Itinerary Development
• Ensure reports and analysis are delivered and maintained in a standard, timely, accurate and organized manner
• Track costs and financial changes by ship/ports
• Liaise with Revenue Management  with regards to Port Taxes and Fees and update as required
• Ensure accounting data, system processes, internal control procedures, invoicing, auditing and compliance guidelines meet standards and business goals
• Prepare pre funding requests for ships timely arrival into Port
• Responsible for auditing DA (distribution accounts) settlement from port agents, as well as coding and tracking expenses
• Communicate with Port Agents as required including aging reports, financial discrepancies, invoice backup, etc.
• Format SOPs for Port Agent requests from shipboard
• Receive Port Agent Questionnaires with port contact info/details and communicate with ship as needed
• Obtain/update Port Agent and third party port related contact details and communicate with relevant internal parties
• Support Shore Excursions team with product pricing and revenue goals
• Liaise with Accounting and Finance teams
• Liaise with ShipBoard leadership with regular contact with Clearance officer
• Assist in Community and Government relations activities as required
• Travel as required (appx 25%)

Analysis:

• Conduct competitor bid analysis 
• Assist in conducting review and gap analysis regarding actual expenses compared with the financial plan
• Analyze sales/pricing of Shore Things product
• Monitor industry/global trends
• Identify cost saving opportunities

Strategic Vision:

• Actively engages on projects and other assignments; providing support and working closely with key departments to achieve Itinerary & Destinations departmental goals
• Assist in development of department/shipboard SOPs
• Ensure constant communication with shipboard teams and Port Agents as necessary
• Site inspection of new and existing ports as required
• Travel to ship(s) as needed for training purposes or other needs as required
• Attend Conferences and Trade Shows to designated port areas as required

Minimum Qualifications
 

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) from four-year college or university required with a focus in a quantitative (i.e. mathematics, statistics, economics, finance, accounting) and analytical discipline required
• Minimum 1-3 years of experience in a quantitative role required, background in cruise industry/port operations preferred
• Fidelio, IMS, Airtable, Typeform, MXP and any other equivalent internal systems preferred
• Advanced or Expert level Google Sheets, Google Docs, Slides, Excel, PPT skills required
• Advanced level of experience with Google Suite (Sheets, Slides, and Docs) and/or Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Advanced skills in visualizing data to effectively communicate findings
• Interactive reporting experience required; Tableau experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrate ability to make and implement decisions independently
• Ability to independently work with large datasets and conduct ad hoc analyses
• Resourceful—conducting research, applying out-of-the-box thinking, and chasing down solutions with a high-level of follow-through
• Detail-oriented with the ability to find and explain discrepancies in data when comparing information across multiple systems
• Efficient negotiation and communication skills 
• Strong multi-tasking capability in complex situations
• Seaware experience strongly preferred 
• MBA preferred
• Multilingual not required but a plus

What Matters to Us: At Virgin, your personality matters as much as how good you are at what you do. We want you to bring it to our hangout spot and help make the place even better. So, we won’t be surprised to hear that when people talk about you they say you are clever, on top of it, able to think ahead, intuitive, passionate and someone people respect and enjoy working with because you make things happen.

Virgin Voyages is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified, eligible applicants regardless of their sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity. Our greatest strength comes from our ability to come together as unique individuals -- we seek to always embrace and celebrate our differences, providing an inclusive workplace environment that allows you to be your best self.

Virgin Voyages is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Virgin Voyages via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Virgin Voyages HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Virgin Voyages. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Virgin Voyages as a result of the referral or through other means.