Head of Business Development - Premium Cultural Travel - job 1 of 2

Our client is a distinguished premium cultural travel company with nearly 40 years of heritage in creating exceptional, academically-driven small-group tours. Following a recent private equity acquisition, they are accelerating their U.S. expansion and seek their first U.S.-based commercial hire to establish their presence and drive customer acquisition across North America.

This is a rare opportunity to build a market from the ground up, working with autonomy and ownership as the sole on-the-ground commercial leader. You'll be instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships with leading cultural institutions, universities, museums, and alumni organizations while driving measurable growth in U.S. bookings.

The company specializes in tours exploring art, architecture, history, music, and gastronomy, led by expert lecturers and designed for an affluent, highly educated clientele who value intellectual rigor and enriching experiences.

The Role

As Head of Business Development, you will spearhead commercial expansion in the United States, developing and executing the go-to-market strategy while building sustainable institutional partnerships. This is a senior, outward-facing role requiring someone who thrives with autonomy and brings the sophistication to engage leaders across arts, culture, academia, and philanthropy.

Key Responsibilities:

Go-To-Market Leadership

• Develop and execute the U.S. GTM strategy aligned with global commercial goals
• Identify priority institutions and segments, shaping the company's positioning in North America
• Build comprehensive business plans for revenue targets, regional growth, and partnership models

Partnership Development & Relationship Management

• Cultivate relationships with leading cultural, academic, and artistic institutions
• Secure strategic partnerships for co-branded tours, private groups, donor travel, and bespoke projects
• Represent the company at key cultural events, industry conferences, and relevant networks

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as senior ambassador to high-net-worth clients, trustees, patrons, alumni groups, and cultural leaders
• Develop a regional book of business through direct outreach, referrals, and relationship-building
• Collaborate with the UK team to tailor programs and proposals for U.S. partners

Entrepreneurial Execution

• Operate independently in a remote environment, setting priorities and driving outcomes
• Bring creativity and initiative to shaping new products, collaborations, and channels
• Analyze market trends and competitive developments to inform innovation

• Highly self-directed, entrepreneurial profile with proven ability to operate independently and build a market from the ground up
• Strong business development or partnerships leadership experience in arts, culture, education, or adjacent premium service sectors
• Established network and relationships within cultural institutions, universities, museums, donor groups, or alumni communities
• Results-driven commercial profile with track record of accountability for bookings and customer acquisition outcomes
• Highly academically accomplished with strong record of achievement demonstrating intellectual capability
• Polished communicator with excellent writing, presentation, and influencing skills
• Intellectually curious with genuine interest in history, art, architecture, and culture
• Culturally sensitive and comfortable engaging affluent, highly educated audiences
• Strategic maturity to design GTM plans combined with hands-on drive to execute them

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with discerning audiences or cultural ecosystems
• Previous experience in premium educational travel or cultural travel sector
• Track record of engaging affluent, highly educated audiences
• Experience with partnership models in cultural institutions and universities

Base Salary: $130,000 - $170,000 (depending on experience)

Additional Benefits:

• Potential performance-based bonus structure
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K and healthcare
• High autonomy and ownership as sole U.S. commercial lead
• Opportunity to shape a strategic initiative tied to U.S. expansion under private equity ownership
• Clear path to leadership role as U.S. business scales (team/structure growth anticipated 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.

Privacy and Pay Equity:

• California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at .
• 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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

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.