Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager
Company: TUI
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Revenue Operations / GTM Strategy (with a focus on Product & Commercial Planning)
Date Posted: May 04, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive strategic planning and program design for the Nordic region's seasonal product portfolio, directly impacting commercial success.
• Analyze market trends, customer preferences, and past performance to define commercial strategies and regional product needs.
• Manage passenger volume planning, establish sellable product offerings, and set policies for product components.
• Optimize network configuration through gateway and destination setup evaluations, managing risk appetite for committed seats and beds.
• Coordinate product and season launch timing with central commercial teams, ensuring optimal market entry.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title "Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager" might not immediately scream "Revenue Operations" or "Sales Operations," the core responsibilities of defining commercial strategies, managing product portfolios, analyzing market dynamics, and optimizing capacity for commercial success are deeply intertwined with GTM strategy and revenue generation. This role requires a strong understanding of the entire Go-To-Market lifecycle, from product inception to market launch and ongoing performance management, making it a strategic operational role focused on driving revenue through intelligent planning and product design. The emphasis on P&L impact and risk management further solidifies its operational and strategic importance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute commercial strategies for diverse product groups and destinations, aligning with market trends and customer needs.
• Plan and forecast passenger volumes, assessing risk appetite and regional product requirements based on historical data and current market dynamics.
• Establish the sellable product offering across the Nordic region, implementing policies that dictate product components and ensure customer satisfaction and commercial objectives are met.
• Evaluate the performance of gateway and destination setups, defining optimal risk levels for committed inventory (seats and beds), and recommending configuration adjustments to enhance network efficiency.
• Determine product and season launch dates, actively collaborating with central commercial teams, inventory, pricing, and marketing colleagues for precise market timing.
• Monitor and manage the beds-to-seats ratio in close collaboration with flight capacity management, FPS, and APS teams to ensure equilibrium between accommodation and flight capacity across the region.
• Act as a key stakeholder for the Nordic region, providing destination, product, and market expertise while maintaining regular communication to convey commercial needs and identify opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a strategic operational role focused on optimizing the product lifecycle within the travel industry. This involves a blend of market analysis, financial forecasting (passenger volumes), product development (sellable products), and operational execution (gateway/destination setups, launch timing). The emphasis on balancing flight and accommodation capacity highlights a critical operational challenge in the travel sector, directly impacting profitability and customer experience.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, Hospitality Management, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Manager role with strategic responsibilities. A Master's degree or relevant certifications would be advantageous.
Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in commercial planning, product management, programme design, or a similar strategic role within the travel and tourism industry is essential.

Required Skills:

• Commercial Planning & Strategy: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective commercial strategies for product groups and destinations.
• Product Management/Programme Design: Proven track record in designing and managing product portfolios that meet customer needs and commercial objectives.
• Market Analysis & Insight: Ability to analyze market trends, customer preferences, and competitive landscapes to inform strategic decisions.
• Capacity Planning & Forecasting: Expertise in planning passenger volumes and managing capacity across different operational segments (flights, accommodation).
• Risk Management: Solid understanding of tour operations, capacity planning, and risk management principles, including defining risk appetite for committed inventory.
• P&L Impact Analysis: Analytical skills to interpret commercial performance metrics and understand P&L implications of strategic decisions.
• Inventory Management: Knowledge of flight and accommodation inventory management principles.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to thrive and lead in cross-functional team environments, collaborating effectively with various departments (e.g., commercial, marketing, finance, operations).
• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong presentation abilities to articulate strategies and insights to stakeholders.
• Nordic Market Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the Nordic travel market, including customer preferences and operational nuances.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English and at least one local Nordic language.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific travel industry systems for inventory, pricing, or planning.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools for reporting and analysis.
• Experience in managing complex commercial relationships or partnerships.
• Understanding of global travel industry regulations and compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level (5-10 years) and the strategic nature of the role suggest that candidates should be prepared to demonstrate a strong understanding of the entire product lifecycle and its commercial implications. The emphasis on Nordic market knowledge and language skills is a critical differentiator for this specific role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Planning Case Studies: Examples demonstrating the development of commercial strategies for product groups or destinations, including market analysis and expected outcomes.
• Product Portfolio Design: Showcase instances where you defined or optimized a product portfolio, detailing the methodology, customer research, and commercial impact.
• Capacity Planning & Optimization: Present projects where you were involved in passenger volume planning, capacity management, or optimizing the balance between different inventory types (e.g., flight seats vs. hotel beds).
• Risk Management Scenarios: Illustrate how you assessed and managed risk in commercial planning or product design, particularly concerning committed inventory.
• Cross-functional Project Leadership: Examples of leading or significantly contributing to projects that required collaboration across multiple departments, highlighting your role and the project's success.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Frameworks: Documentation or examples of frameworks used for market analysis, trend identification, and strategic decision-making.
• Product Development Lifecycles: Outline of processes followed for developing and launching new products or seasons, from ideation to market entry.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Examples of processes for monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product performance, capacity utilization, and commercial success.
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Documentation of processes for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within commercial planning and program design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority and strategic focus, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase past achievements but also demonstrate a structured and analytical approach to planning, product design, and commercial strategy. Highlighting quantifiable results and the ability to articulate complex processes clearly will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager in Stockholm, Sweden, with 5-10 years of experience in the travel industry, the estimated salary range is typically between SEK 600,000 to SEK 900,000 per year. This estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Stockholm, considering the responsibilities, experience level, and industry. Factors like specific company performance, individual negotiation, and the exact scope of responsibilities can influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Attractive Remuneration: Competitive base salary.
• Discretionary Bonus Schemes: Performance-based bonuses linked to individual and company objectives.
• Generous Travel Benefits: Significant discounts and benefits on TUI's travel products and services.
• Extensive Health & Well-being Support: Comprehensive health insurance, wellness programs, and support services.
• Flexible Working: Encouragement of a healthy work-life balance with dynamic working arrangements.
• Professional Development: Access to the TUI Learning Hub for career advancement and skill enhancement.
• Global Network Opportunities: Chances to work on international projects and collaborate with global teams.
• Community Engagement: Involvement in TUI Care Foundation and other local charity and sustainability initiatives.

Working Hours: The role implies a standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours, with flexibility encouraged due to TUI's emphasis on work-life balance. Specific schedules can be discussed to accommodate operational needs and personal preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for Stockholm and the described role. TUI's comprehensive benefits package, especially the travel benefits and learning opportunities, are significant advantages for professionals in the travel industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel and Tourism. TUI is a leading global integrated tourism group, operating in over 100 destination countries and offering a vast range of travel services from flights and hotels to cruises and tours. This deep integration provides unique opportunities for cross-functional insights and impact.
Company Size: TUI Group is a large, multinational corporation, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This scale offers stability, extensive resources, and opportunities for career progression within a vast organizational structure.
Founded: TUI's origins trace back to 1923, with significant mergers and transformations over the decades, culminating in its current form as a leading European travel company. This long history suggests a stable, established company with deep expertise in the travel sector.

Team Structure:

• The role likely sits within a regional commercial planning or product development team for the Nordic region, reporting to a Director or Head of Planning/Commercial Strategy.
• This team will collaborate very closely with central commercial functions, marketing, sales, operations, and potentially airline and hotel management teams.
• The structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and a matrixed approach to achieve regional and group-wide objectives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using market data, customer insights, and performance metrics to inform strategic planning and product design.
• Agile and Iterative Planning: Given the dynamic nature of the travel industry, an approach that allows for flexibility, adaptation, and continuous improvement in planning and product offerings is likely employed.
• Customer-Centricity: A core focus on understanding and meeting customer needs through the product portfolio and service offerings.
• Commercial Acumen: A strong emphasis on driving profitability and commercial success through strategic planning and effective execution.

Company Website: https://www.tui.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: TUI's position as a global leader in integrated tourism means that operations and strategy professionals within the company are at the forefront of industry innovation and best practices. The company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as sustainability, indicates a modern and responsible corporate culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Manager role, indicating a significant level of responsibility and autonomy. It is a strategic position that requires a blend of deep industry knowledge, analytical prowess, and leadership capabilities. Professionals at this level are expected to influence key business decisions and drive measurable outcomes.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager will likely report to a Director or Head of Planning, Commercial Strategy, or Product Development for the Nordic region. They will manage strategic initiatives and potentially lead project teams, though direct line management of a large team is not explicitly stated but possible.
Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on TUI's revenue and profitability in the Nordic region. By shaping the product portfolio, optimizing capacity, and ensuring market relevance, the manager directly influences sales volumes, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the financial performance of TUI's offerings in key markets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into Director-level roles within Planning, Commercial Strategy, or Product Management, overseeing larger teams and broader regions.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced analytics, digital product innovation, or international market expansion within the travel sector.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into related GTM functions, such as Marketing Strategy, Sales Operations, or Business Development, leveraging their deep understanding of the product and market.
• Global Exposure: Potential to work on group-level projects or transfer to other key markets within the TUI Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear pathway for career progression within a large, established organization. The combination of strategic influence, market expertise, and operational oversight makes it a valuable position for long-term career development in the travel industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: TUI promotes a dynamic and flexible working environment, emphasizing that "Work is something you do, not somewhere you go." This suggests a hybrid model where employees can balance office-based collaboration with remote work.
Office Location(s): The primary office location is Stockholm, SE, 117 85. This location offers a modern urban setting with good connectivity for employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes collaborative zones designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional discussions.
• Technology Enabled: Access to modern office technology, including robust IT infrastructure, communication tools, and potentially specialized software for planning and analytics.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with colleagues from various departments, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour week is typical, TUI's emphasis on flexible working suggests that employees have some autonomy in structuring their workdays to achieve a healthy work-life balance, provided operational needs are met. This flexibility is crucial for managing complex planning cycles and ensuring timely market entries.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a significant draw for many professionals, offering a balance between in-person collaboration and personal flexibility. The Stockholm location is a major city with a strong business infrastructure.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager, focusing on strategic thinking, experience in commercial planning and product design, and problem-solving abilities. Expect questions related to past successes and challenges in the travel industry.
• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to prepare and present a case study or analysis related to a typical planning or product design challenge. This will assess analytical skills, strategic thinking, and presentation capabilities.
• Cross-functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from departments like marketing, sales, or operations to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across teams.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Director or VP) for a final assessment of strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or case study, clearly articulate the measurable results achieved (e.g., increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, optimized capacity utilization, reduced risk).
• Showcase Strategic Process: Detail your thought process, the methodologies used for analysis, planning, and decision-making, and how you adapted to market dynamics.
• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize instances where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams, showcasing your communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Nordic Market Focus: Include examples that specifically demonstrate your understanding and experience within the Nordic travel market.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your value proposition. Tailor it to highlight aspects most relevant to TUI's business and the role's requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Market Trend Analysis: Be prepared to discuss current and future trends in the travel industry, particularly concerning the Nordic region, and how they might impact product strategy.
• Scenario Planning: Practice developing strategic responses to hypothetical market disruptions, competitive actions, or operational challenges.
• Product Innovation: Think about how to develop innovative product offerings or enhance existing ones to meet evolving customer demands and differentiate TUI in the market.
• Capacity Optimization: Prepare to discuss strategies for balancing flight and accommodation capacity, managing inventory, and optimizing resource allocation for maximum commercial return.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not just technical skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within a complex organization. A well-prepared portfolio and thoughtful responses to case study challenges will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Likely experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) for understanding customer data and sales insights, though not the primary focus of this role.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Proficiency in BI tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView for data analysis, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for financial modeling, data manipulation, and scenario planning.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Microsoft Project for managing planning cycles and cross-functional projects.
• Internal TUI Planning & Analytics Tools: The role will involve using TUI's proprietary systems for capacity planning, product management, and commercial analysis. Candidates should be adaptable to learning new internal tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Platforms: Experience with statistical analysis tools or programming languages like R or Python (for advanced analytics) might be beneficial but not always required.
• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create and interpret dashboards that visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales, capacity, and market trends.

CRM & Automation:

• Tour Operator Specific Software: Familiarity with specialized tour operating software for inventory management, booking systems, and dynamic packaging would be a strong asset.
• Forecasting & Planning Software: Experience with dedicated forecasting or planning software used in the travel or retail sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool names aren't provided, the role implies a need for strong analytical capabilities, proficiency in data manipulation and visualization, and the ability to quickly learn and adapt to proprietary internal systems used by TUI. A strong foundation in Excel and BI tools is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep understanding and commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations through well-designed products and seamless travel experiences.
• Commercial Excellence: A drive to achieve and surpass commercial targets, focusing on profitability, market share, and sustainable growth.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of working together across departments and geographies to achieve common goals.
• Innovation & Adaptability: Embracing new ideas, technologies, and market approaches to stay ahead in the dynamic travel industry.
• Sustainability: Commitment to responsible tourism practices and contributing positively to destinations and communities (aligned with TUI Care Foundation).

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Regular and transparent communication with stakeholders across commercial, marketing, operations, and finance teams.
• Data-Informed Discussions: Grounding discussions and decisions in robust data analysis and market insights.
• Solution-Oriented Approach: Focusing on finding effective solutions to complex planning and product design challenges.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Acting as a trusted partner to other departments, understanding their needs and contributing to shared success.

📝 Enhancement Note: TUI's emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with its commitment to sustainability and community initiatives, suggests a corporate culture that values responsible business practices, employee well-being, and collaborative innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Dynamic Market Volatility: Navigating the inherent volatility of the travel industry, including geopolitical events, economic fluctuations, and changing consumer behaviors.
• Balancing Capacity and Demand: Effectively managing the complex interplay between flight capacity, accommodation availability, and fluctuating customer demand to optimize utilization and profitability.
• Competitive Landscape: Differentiating TUI's product offerings in a highly competitive market while meeting diverse customer expectations across the Nordic region.
• Integrating Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Aligning the strategies and priorities of various internal departments (commercial, marketing, operations, finance) and external partners.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Leadership Training: Access to TUI's Learning Hub provides opportunities to enhance leadership skills, strategic thinking, and operational expertise.
• Travel Industry Trends: Staying abreast of emerging trends in travel technology, customer behavior, and sustainable tourism through internal resources and potentially external conferences.
• Cross-Cultural Management: Developing skills in managing and collaborating with diverse teams across different countries and cultures within the TUI Group.
• Strategic Planning Methodologies: Deepening expertise in advanced strategic planning frameworks, market analysis techniques, and financial modeling for the travel sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges due to the nature of the travel industry, but these challenges are also fertile ground for professional development and demonstrating impactful leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for defining a commercial strategy for a new travel product or destination. How do you incorporate market analysis and customer insights?"
• "How would you approach planning passenger volumes for a peak season, considering historical data, current market dynamics, and potential risks?"
• "Imagine you need to optimize the beds-to-seats ratio for a specific destination. What steps would you take, and what potential conflicts might arise with different departments?"
• "How do you ensure a product portfolio remains relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing travel market?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about TUI and its position in the Nordic travel market?"
• "How do you foster collaboration between commercial, marketing, and operations teams to achieve shared goals?"
• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions. How did you reach a consensus?"
• "How do you approach managing risk in commercial planning, and what is your philosophy on balancing risk and reward?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem/objective, your approach/strategy, the actions taken, and the quantifiable results.
• Visualize Data: Use charts and graphs to illustrate market trends, performance metrics, and the impact of your initiatives.
• Highlight Nordic Relevance: If possible, use examples that are directly relevant to the Nordic market or demonstrate transferable skills.
• Focus on Strategic Impact: Emphasize how your planning and design decisions contributed to commercial success and achieved business objectives.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodologies, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their strategic thinking process, demonstrate a strong understanding of the travel industry's commercial dynamics, and articulate how they drive results through effective planning and product design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Planning & Programme Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the TUI Group Jobs portal via the provided URL.
• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize experience in commercial planning, product management, capacity planning, risk management, and analysis within the travel industry. Quantify achievements with data and metrics.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate examples of strategic planning, product design, and commercial success. Focus on projects that demonstrate your analytical skills, market insight, and ability to drive P&L impact. Highlight any Nordic market experience.
• Research TUI: Familiarize yourself with TUI's current offerings, market position in the Nordics, and recent company news. Understand their approach to sustainability and customer experience.
• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare to discuss your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and articulate your strategic thinking for hypothetical scenarios relevant to travel planning and product development.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.