Job description
Our client is a prestigious cultural travel company with nearly four decades of experience delivering exceptional, intellectually enriching small-group journeys. After a recent private equity investment, they are pursuing ambitious growth in the U.S. market and are looking for their inaugural U.S.-based commercial leader to drive customer acquisition and establish their footprint across North America.
This represents a unique opportunity to build an entirely new market with significant autonomy and ownership as the organization’s sole commercial presence on the ground. You will play a pivotal role in forging strategic alliances with prominent universities, cultural institutions, museums, and alumni networks while delivering measurable growth in U.S. customer bookings.
The organization curates tours centered on art, history, architecture, gastronomy, and music, featuring expert-led programming for a sophisticated, intellectually curious clientele who seek depth and cultural immersion in their travel experiences.
The Position
As Director of Partnerships & U.S. Expansion, you will lead the commercial development of the U.S. market, crafting and implementing the go-to-market approach while establishing enduring institutional relationships. This senior, externally focused position requires someone who excels in independent environments and possesses the credibility to engage decision-makers across cultural, academic, philanthropic, and artistic sectors.
Core Responsibilities:
Strategic Market Development
- Identify priority segments and institutions, defining the company’s market positioning across North America
- Build comprehensive business plans encompassing revenue objectives, partnership frameworks, and regional expansion
- Design and implement the U.S. go-to-market strategy in alignment with global commercial priorities
Institutional Relationship Building & Partnership Execution
- Represent the organization at industry conferences, cultural gatherings, and strategic networking opportunities
- Develop relationships with premier academic, cultural, and arts organizations
- Establish strategic collaborations for bespoke programming, co-branded experiences, donor travel initiatives, and private group offerings
High-Level Client & Stakeholder Representation
- Collaborate with the UK-based team to customize programming and proposals for U.S. institutional partners
- Serve as the senior face of the organization to high-net-worth individuals, cultural leaders, patrons, alumni communities, and board members
- Build a regional client portfolio through strategic outreach, referrals, and relationship cultivation
Independent Entrepreneurial Leadership
Analyze competitive landscape and market dynamics to drive product and partnership innovation
Function autonomously in a remote setting, establishing priorities and delivering measurable results
Apply creativity and initiative to explore new distribution channels, collaborative models, and product offerings
Proven ability to operate with autonomy and entrepreneurial drive, with demonstrated success building markets independently
Exceptional academic credentials with demonstrated intellectual capacity and strong record of achievement
Strong professional network and existing relationships within museums, universities, cultural organizations, alumni groups, or donor communities
Significant business development or partnership leadership background in culture, education, arts, or related premium service industries
Genuine intellectual curiosity and authentic passion for culture, art, history, and architecture
Strategic thinking capability to design go-to-market frameworks paired with practical execution skills to implement them
Track record of commercial accountability with proven success in driving bookings and customer acquisition
Cultural fluency and experience engaging sophisticated, highly educated clientele
Outstanding communication abilities including writing, presenting, and stakeholder influence
Preferred Background
- History working with premium educational or cultural travel organizations
- Experience designing partnership structures with universities and cultural institutions
- Background engaging discerning audiences within cultural sectors
- Demonstrated success working with affluent, intellectually sophisticated client segments
Base Compensation: $130,000 - $170,000 (commensurate with experience)
Additional Package Elements:
- Comprehensive benefits including healthcare and 401K
- Opportunity for performance-based incentive compensation
- Significant autonomy and ownership as the company’s sole U.S. commercial representative
- Direct influence on a strategic growth initiative backed by private equity investment
- Well-defined progression to expanded leadership responsibility as the U.S. operation scales (team building and organizational growth expected within 12-24 months)
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.
Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.
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- Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
- Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.
State-Specific Information:
- Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
- Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
- New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.
Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.
Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.
Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
