Product Innovation Manager

JOB PURPOSE

The Product Innovation Manager is responsible for hypothesizing, researching, sizing, testing and analyzing data & customer behavior to identify short and long-term opportunities for the MSC Cruises brand.

This role will use analysis to guide strategy by understanding gaps, performance and insights to create a portfolio of concepts that directly respond to consumer insights.

These concepts will lead the strategy for experience innovation and shape the offering for the future of vacation experiences while driving incremental satisfaction & profitability for the brand.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Product Innovation, this role will significantly influence decision making related to resource allocation, product strategy, ship design, and customer experience.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop guest-centric product strategies that are grounded in consumer insights.
• Develop concepts that enhance the guest experience and create meaningful differentiation.
• Support the experience innovation process (strategy, research, design, build, operate, audit) for new ships while working closely with Newbuild, Marketing, and Operations on ship / venue concepts and the accurate execution of concepts to ensure innovation and authenticity are maximized.
• Support the vision for future Newbuilds by using Consumer Insights to bring forward the voice of the customer and drive product innovation by developing concepts that directly respond to consumer desires / needs.
• Influence the Consumer Insights research agenda and stay abreast of research insights and industry trends to make an impact.

Research agenda includes :

• Consumer trends in travel, retail, food & beverage, etc.
• Competitive analyses on category and cross-category competitors.
• Tailored guest research spanning the global markets.
• Analyze diverse data sources to make data driven recommendations for strategies and concepts.
• Provide leadership over the strategic direction for guest experience in the Newbuild strategy.
• Foster a highly collaborative cross functional team, where cross-discipline dynamic communication is critical for success.

Work closely with Newbuild on design, partner with Operations to ensure feasibility / seamless execution, Marketing to anchor on the guest needs and GTM strategies that are aligned to the product strategy, and finally collaborate with Revenue & OBR to ensure revenue upside on all experience enhancing products is forecasted and achievable.

• Create presentations showcasing the business environment, current product positioning, competitive landscape, insights and data findings to share recommendations with senior management.
• Provide ad-hoc analyses to guide decision-making on design of future products.

QUALIFICATIONS (skills, competencies, experience)

• Bachelor’s degree required & MBA preferred.
• 4-6 years business, consulting, product / brand marketing or operations experience with past management experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in the cruise industry or hospitality / travel.
• Experience working with Architects / Designers / Creative & Innovation Consultants is a plus.
• The ideal candidate will possess a combination of strategy and execution skills.
• This role requires that the candidate have a proven track record of leading teams through ideation, design, and delivery of customer experience products.
• Ability to analyze data and research results to make recommendations.
• Ability to apply strong analytical, financial, conceptual, and strategic thinking.
• Experience developing strategic frameworks, planning, executing, and managing projects.
• Ability to assemble, lead and influence cross functional teams to develop strategies that include input and buy-in from all stakeholders.
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven ability to collaborate with others, plus the ability to build strong and sustainable relationships, and the capability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Candidate must possess strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively at the senior most executive levels of a company.
• Strong key computer skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to travel 20-30% of the time.

VISA REQUIREMENTS (if any)

EU Passport or Right to work in Switzerland.