President

About Mayflower Cruises & Tours:
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Lisle, Illinois, Mayflower Cruises & Tours has grown from a regional tour operator into a nationally recognized leader in guided travel. For more than four decades, Mayflower has specialized in delivering life-enriching journeys across the globe — from scenic North American adventures to river cruises and international explorations.

As part of the Scenic Group, Mayflower Cruises & Tours shares the same commitment to excellence, innovation, and guest satisfaction that defines Scenic and Emerald Cruises. Together, these brands offer travelers a world of opportunities — from luxury river and ocean cruising to expertly curated land and rail journeys. Today, Mayflower Cruises & Tours proudly connects travelers to the world’s most remarkable destinations, combining personalized service with the global strength and quality of the Scenic Group to create unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.

At Mayflower Cruises & Tours , we create unforgettable journeys — and we’re looking for a President who shares our passion for travel, excellence, and people. Lead our dedicated team from our corporate office in Lisle, Illinois.

The President will serve as the senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership and ensuring operational excellence. Accountable for shaping and executing business strategy, optimizing financial performance, and driving sustainable growth, this role will ensure brand strength, service excellence, and organizational efficiency. The President will cultivate a high-performance culture focused on innovation, profitability, and long-term competitive advantage.

• Develop and execute the company’s long-term strategy in alignment with the Board of Directors’ goals.
• Identify new business opportunities, partnerships, and markets to expand the company’s global footprint.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Oversee day-to-day business operations. Ensure efficient management of cruise operations, tour programs, customer service, and destination management.
• Drive operational efficiency and implement best practices to maximize profitability.

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in collaboration with the CFO.
• Present financial and operational performance updates to the Board.

• Lead brand strategy, marketing, and public relations to enhance visibility and market competitiveness.
• Oversee customer engagement strategies to drive bookings and long-term loyalty.

• Build, lead, and retain a high-performing team.

Product Development & Strategic Oversight – Provide executive leadership in the development and management of all land-based products, working closely with the team responsible for creating and maintaining these offerings. Collaborate across functions to identify market opportunities, design innovative tours, and ensure alignment with the company’s brand and growth strategy. Oversee the approval of new tours, establish competitive pricing, and implement yield management strategies to maximize both profitability and guest satisfaction. Continuously leverage market trends, competitor analysis, and customer feedback to refine and expand the land product portfolio.
Cruise Product Strategy & Integration – Direct the development of cruise-related programs in partnership with the Scenic Group, with a focus on crafting seamless land experiences that elevate the overall journey. Define the land components included with cruise itineraries, establish competitive pricing strategies, and manage yields to achieve financial targets. Ensure offerings are well-positioned in the marketplace by leveraging industry research, competitor analysis, and customer feedback to deliver differentiated, high-value cruise-and-land packages.
Marketing Strategy & Oversight – Lead the overall marketing vision, ensuring initiatives are strategically aligned with company objectives and deliver measurable impact. Oversee brand positioning, advertising, and digital engagement to maximize visibility and customer acquisition. Direct resource allocation toward high-return opportunities, while guiding the team in developing campaigns and partnerships that drive growth and strengthen the company’s competitive presence in the market.
Sales Leadership & Relationship Management – Drive the company’s sales strategy with a strong focus on relationship building and market expansion. Provide leadership and guidance to the Sales team, ensuring clear goals, accountability, and performance excellence. Actively cultivate and maintain key relationships with group leaders, partners, and industry stakeholders, serving as a highly visible and engaged leader. Leverage market insights and performance metrics to refine sales approaches, strengthen client partnerships, and secure sustainable long-term growth.
Operational Leadership – Lead day-to-day operations across tours, transportation, air services, and customer support. Empower teams to achieve operational excellence while maintaining high service standards. Set clear objectives, track key performance indicators, and ensure all operations are conducted efficiently and profitably. Cultivate a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
Finance Leadership – Collaborate with the Finance team to develop, manage, and monitor organizational budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational priorities. Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and analysis, and participate in month-end and quarterly reporting alongside Scenic executives. Provide insights and recommendations to support profitable growth, optimize resource allocation, and ensure fiscal discipline across all departments. Serve as a key decision-maker in financial strategy and risk management.
Information Technology Leadership – Oversee technology operations, including management of the local network and upgrades to the reservation system. Ensure that IT infrastructure and applications, including the Reservation system, are secure, reliable, and optimized to support business operations.
Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including at least 8–10 years in a senior executive role (Vice President, President, or equivalent) within the cruise, travel, hospitality, or tourism industry.
• 10+ years of experience overseeing cruise, hospitality, and land tour operations.
• 10+ years driving brand positioning and luxury service standards, with deep expertise in delivering differentiated guest experiences.
• Proven ability to manage complex P&L responsibilities, with 10+ years of experience in budgeting, financial planning, and cost management within corporate environments .
• Experience engaging with boards of directors, investors, regulators, and global partners to align strategy and performance.

• Proven success in strategic planning, market expansion, and large-scale operational execution.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, CRM/database management, and event management software.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 35%.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at the executive level.