Manager, Business Development -Houston

Business Development Manager

Responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to educate and empower travel agents, with the objective of driving sales growth and expanding market share within the assigned territory. This role oversees travel agency accounts, consistently working toward surpassing performance goals and benchmarks. As a Business Development Manager, the position is directly accountable for promotional efforts that generate revenue from agency driven sales for Carnival Cruise Line. Engagement with accounts is carried out through in person visits that are expected daily, and may also include virtual webinars, phone outreach, and written communications. Importantly, this role focuses solely on B2B sales activities and does not involve direct-to-consumer transactions.

Job 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 :

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.

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. The role requires a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and leveraging insights to optimize sales outcomes.

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.

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.

For all roles :

Qualifications :

Physical Demands :

Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and / or computer for extended periods of time. Requires regular movement throughout CCL facilities. Travel : 25-50% with non-shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions :

Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety / health hazard potential.

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. Sourcing of candidates is primarily done in Carnival's remote hubs of Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas. If the search is extended past those areas, candidates must be located in one of the following U.S. states : FL, GA, TX and NC.

Offers to selected candidates will be made on a fair and equitable basis, taking into account specific job-related skills and experience. 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 :

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.