The Gig:
Our Events & Trade Marketing Lead will partner with the Director of Trade Marketing, Engagement, and Events and the Sales team to orchestrate impactful trade events that drive Virgin Voyages awareness, educate partners, and generate sales. The Events & Trade Marketing Lead will also be responsible for building and delivering marketing programs and strategies that drive growth within the travel agent community and our key travel agency partners. This highly motivated and creative person will work closely with the Sales team to support all First Mates (Trade) marketing and events efforts and will materialize brilliant, objective driven, cost efficient, and on brand marketing touch points. The ideal candidate is a trade & event marketing expert who is passionate about bringing a lifestyle brand to life while measuring performance within a B2B environment.
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:
Create and execute strategy for First Mate involvement and activations within large scale Brand events including pre-inaugural events and other high profile company initiatives
Partner with Sales & Marketing leadership to create strategy, budget, and determine business outcomes for trade and CMI focused events including familiarization trips, booking incentives, trade shows and Sales Crew events
Responsible for all aspects of event management, including coordinating travel for staff, site selection of event, negotiations of contracts, set up of function space, booth set up and audio-visual production requirements
Consult with project teams and other internal clients to conceptualize and design events based on their needs in all execution formats: in-person, hybrid, and virtual
Act as the main point of contact for trade partners and other outside vendors for all trade events
Manage relationships and finalize agreements with outside vendors and shipboard teams
Manage cross-department communications and outgoing communication strategy for events
Manage Sales Crew roles and responsibilities during Brand events ensuring successful execution
Partner with Data Analyst to collect post event data and present out to business leaders
Manage budget, procurement, and distribution of sales collateral and giveaway items
Develop and provide comprehensive marketing materials and up-to-date information to enable the Trade Sales and CMI Sales teams to successfully market Virgin Voyages to their partners and clients
Develop and execute comprehensive B2B and B2B2C marketing strategies, encompassing sales support materials, presentations, trade promotions, communications, e-newsletters, social media, and event activations
Manage relationship with internal Studio for large scale campaigns, inclusive of writing creative briefs, leading strategic and creative kickoffs and managing the internal approval process with the Senior Leadership Team from start to finish
Evaluate and provide feedback on creative concepts, copy, and executions based on strategic alignment, brand standards, and consumer impact
Apply brand knowledge and marketing strategy to assist in drafting trade advertising and sales copy
Responsible for timely delivery of assets to accounts and coordinating internal approval process
Serve as a communications liaison between Brand and Sales teams to ensure consumer and trade messaging is cohesive across all platforms and channels
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable liaising with senior stakeholders and influential business partners
Independently motivated with a “team player” mentality
Strong experience presenting to senior leadership and demonstrated communication skills, both written and oral
All other duties as assigned
SuperPowers Required:
Degree in Marketing, Hospitality Management or similar degree with event planning experience
5+ years in event planning and/or marketing related functions
Cruise industry experience a plus
2+ years managing direct reports
Experience in managing all aspects of an event from initial planning to execution, supporting events ranging from 10 to 2,500+ attendees
Proven track record in creating and executing strategic marketing and digital media campaigns
Proven track record of building relationships with vendors and industry professionals
Strong understanding of all forms of media
Excellent verbal communication, written communication and presentation skills
Must exhibit excellent attention to detail, strategic mindset and good organizational and follow-through skills
Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and details simultaneously
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Detail-oriented, multi-tasking, self-directed, with the ability to prioritize tasks
Experience with PM and Collaboration tools; SmartSheets, Airtable and JIRA/Confluence
Travel Mandatory including weekends - 30% Travel
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.