Head of Strategic Product Innovation | Careers

(Office-based or hybrid opportunity (min 2 days per week based in our office in Wallington, Surrey).

Newmarket Holidays at a glance

Our aim is to enrich lives and well-being through travel. That is our purpose. Our 'why’. It is ambitious and bold, but through the commitment of our brilliant people, we’re doing more each day to create and deliver incredible wish-list holidays. The types of holidays that people have always dreamt of experiencing. We bring those dreams to life and are the trusted friends of our loyal customers.

The Newmarket Spirit is what binds us together. Throughout this, our 42nd year, and all other years, we strive to grow. To challenge ourselves in new ways. Embracing different points of view and realising our potential. For the right person, their story can begin right here.

Role profile

Reporting to the Product Director, the purpose of this new role is to lead a transition to a more strategic and data-led approach across the Product team in developing the pipeline of new opportunities for differentiation, managing departmental workstreams and projects, as well as improving on existing initiatives and driving strategic change. The right candidate would work closely with the other Heads of Product, as well as collaboratively across the wider business. The role will be responsible for segmentation reporting to be used to develop the product strategy (and also communicated at Board level), as well as co-ordinating the development of new product concepts from initial analysis through to launch and beyond, ensuring clear guidelines are maintained, that there is consistency across all brand channels and KPI’s are defined to measure and monitor success. The role will also have a watching brief over operations of our touring portfolio, co-ordinating through a collaborative approach, the work of our Product Executives. Additionally, this role will play the key conduit between product & other departments to ensure we are driving pace and performance.

Who we are looking for

Passionate and highly knowledgeable about travel, preferably escorted touring, with a strong network of contacts.
With experience in Product or Proposition, preferably within escorted touring.
With experience in working with 3rd party suppliers and stakeholders.
With the ability to build a business case.
With a customer focused mindset and can use customer data accurately.
With a strong commercial acumen and comfortable handling and analysing data.
Action orientated - constantly delivering against objectives and targets and strives to get things done and proactively drive change.
Self-motivated - can work on own initiative and together with a team to deliver results.
With excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a demanding workload.
Constantly looking to improve what we do with a dedication to quality and service.
Who is a Team player with exceptional communication and influencing skills at all levels.
With confident presentation skills and able to influence and manage relationships at Senior level
Able to travel if necessary for product research, site inspections etc.
Who is an excellent negotiator who understands the balance required between quality and price.
Able to work on several projects and tasks at once, sometimes under pressure and to tight deadlines, without sacrificing attention to detail.
With a flexible approach to working and adaptable to changing priorities as demands dictate.
With a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

What we can offer you

A changing and multi-cultural team-spirited environment with opportunities to learn from new experiences and challenges.
Leaders who are interested in your development and committed to helping you to be the best version of yourself.
A responsible organisation that cares about its people, the environment, and the communities we visit.
Encouragement to take initiative and try something new and different.
A flexible and hybrid-working arrangement.
An exciting set of benefits.
The opportunity to visit our destinations and experience our holidays.

Join us!

Travel is a wonderful industry to be part of. If you're passionate about holidays - perhaps you've done a similar job before or have some other experience that is relevant - we'd love to hear from you! If this sounds like the kind of opportunity, and place to work, that you’re looking for, please send your CV with a brief covering note about your salary expectations and any notice period to [email protected]

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

No agencies, please

Apply now

As an equal opportunities’ employer, Newmarket Holidays is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Newmarket Holidays.