Vice President of Sales

OUR STORY

Victory Cruise Lines is a purpose-driven, American-owned and employee-owned cruise line founded by industry icon John Waggoner. We operate small ships on the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritimes, and the Eastern Seaboard, offering immersive, culturally rich journeys that connect guests with history, destination, and one another.

Our team members don't just work here-they help create experiences our guests remember for a lifetime. Today, we are embarking on one of the most unique executive searches in our company's history. This is not simply a sales leadership role, it is a succession opportunity. As our current Vice President of Sales begins planning for a well-earned retirement, we are seeking the next sales leader who will spend time learning the business, building relationships, and working alongside an accomplished industry veteran before ultimately assuming leadership of the sales organization. For the right individual, this represents a rare opportunity to inherit a strong foundation, contribute to the next chapter of growth, and help shape the future of Victory Cruise Lines. This position may be remote (with travel required), or ideally located near one of our office locations (Fort Lauderdale, FL or New Albany, IN/Louisville, KY metro.)

Come Celebrate the Victory with us!

OUR VALUES

• Safety First

• Teamwork

• Integrity

• Service Excellence

• Innovation

• Having Fun and Celebrating the Victories

Victory Cruise Lines is more than a workplace-we are a community of professionals who care deeply about what we do, who we serve, and how we show up for one another.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The successful candidate will spend several months working directly alongside our current Vice President of Sales, learning the business, building key relationships, understanding our culture, and gradually assuming increasing leadership responsibility before taking full ownership of the sales organization. Our current Vice President plans to retire from this senior leadership seat during the first half of 2027. This is a rare opportunity to inherit a strong foundation while helping shape the future of a growing cruise line.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The successful candidate will:

• Learn and eventually lead all aspects of the Victory Cruise Lines sales organization
• Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute commercial strategy
• Lead revenue growth initiatives across direct sales, trade sales, group sales, and charter opportunities
• Analyze booking trends, revenue performance, and sales effectiveness
• Develop and strengthen relationships with travel advisors, agency partners, affinity groups, and key accounts
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, and Finance teams
• Lead, mentor, and develop members of the sales organization
• Improve sales processes, reporting, forecasting, and accountability
• Represent Victory Cruise Lines at industry events, conferences, and partner meetings
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Successful leaders in this role:

• Drive revenue growth
• Build strong relationships
• Lead with accountability
• Develop people
• Make decisions
• Bring solutions
• Execute with urgency
• Embrace ownership
• Inspire confidence

Most importantly, they understand that leadership is not about maintaining the status quo-it is about helping the organization continue to grow.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Ideal candidates may currently be:

• Vice Presidents of Sales
• Senior Directors of Sales
• Commercial Leaders
• Travel Industry Sales Executives
• Cruise Industry Sales Leaders

We are less concerned with your current title and more interested in your ability to lead people, drive revenue growth, think strategically, and contribute at an executive level. If you've successfully led commercial teams, developed strong industry relationships, and are ready to help shape the future of a growing organization, we'd like to meet you.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, leadership capability, and demonstrated ability to perform at the executive level.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage Options
• 401(k)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Cruise Benefits
• Opportunity to help shape the future of a growing cruise line

REQUIREMENTS Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Sales, Hospitality, or other related field.

MBA or advanced business degree is a plus.

Skills & Abilities

• Proven sales leadership experience
• Strong strategic thinking capabilities
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Executive presence and leadership maturity
• Experience managing revenue-producing teams
• Strong forecasting and analytical skills
• Ability to build relationships across all levels of an organization
• Willingness to travel as needed

Experience

• 8+ years of progressive sales leadership experience; senior leadership seat preferred but not required
• Travel or cruise industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience leading teams and driving measurable revenue growth
• Experience working with agency distribution channels preferred

OTHER

Post Offer / Pre-Employment criteria must be satisfied to complete a successful hiring process; this may include, but may not be limited to: background screening, drug and/or alcohol screening, Culture Index surveys, and other assessments deemed necessary by the Company.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Must have a legal right to work in the United States.

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