Associate Program Director, (Cruise), Smithsonian Journeys

Application Deadline: 8 April 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: VP, Programming & Revenue Management, Smithsonian Journeys

Compensation: $100,000 - $110,000 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: March 25, 2026              CLOSING DATE: April 8, 2026             POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC 

Position sensitivity and risk: Low

Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).  Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

This position is part of the Smithsonian Travel group, reporting into the Vice President, Programming & Revenue Management. Working as a member of the Smithsonian Travel team, this person assists in the development and execution of a travel strategy designed to build Smithsonian Journeys business.  The candidate shares ongoing responsibility with members of the Smithsonian Travel team for preparing, monitoring, and achieving the annual budget for their assigned product portfolio, and for making recommendations to strengthen Smithsonian Travel’s overall program standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 
Cruise Product Strategy & Portfolio Management: 

• Manage a diverse portfolio of international and domestic cruises, including product design, pricing strategy, inventory management, quality control, and competitive positioning.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of select cruise products, ensuring they meet strategic goals and align with organizational priorities.
• Monitor trip performance, sales trends, and market conditions to optimize departures, allocations, and product mix for maximum revenue and guest satisfaction.
• Collaborate with and support fellow programming team members with the development and management of cruise and land programs.  

Financial Performance & Revenue Optimization: 

• Responsible for achieving or exceeding financial targets for a select portfolio of cruise products, including gross revenue, operating margin, and fill rate.
• Identify opportunities to enhance financial performance by adjusting inventory, modifying itineraries, or creating new departures when warranted.

Cruise Partner & Supplier Relationship Management: 

• Manage relationships with a portfolio of cruise lines, tour operators, airlines, and destination management companies.
• Serve as a primary point of contact between select cruise partners and Smithsonian Journeys to ensure service quality, operational alignment, and contractual compliance.
• Address performance issues and follow up with providers on improvements based on evaluations and feedback.

 Cruise Product Development & Proposal Oversight: 

• Direct all aspects of the cruise and tour proposal process—soliciting proposals, reviewing submissions, assessing qua