Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Personal Information
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Languages
References
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Michaela Sauer

Michaela Sauer

Beausoleil

Summary

Dynamic professional with extensive experience at Silversea Cruises, excelling in product development and budget management. Proven track record in vendor negotiation and operational oversight, driving successful expedition shore excursions. Adept at analytical thinking and relationship building, consistently enhancing guest experiences while maintaining financial integrity and achieving cost objectives.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager Destination Experiences Expedition

Silversea Cruises
Monaco
09.2023 - Current
  • This position is responsible for implementing, overseeing and enhancing the Silversea Expedition shore excursions products. Manages the product development process for Expedition shore excursions from strategic planning, negotiating costs with Tour Operators, ensuring proper experiences selection per destination as well as inventory and time schedule, while making sure to meet the performance and the cost criteria within a specified budget and timetable. The Manager, Destination Experiences conducts industry/market research and performance measurement to determine product demand, viability, and profitability of tours in collaboration with Senior Manager Destination Expierences, Itinerary Design, Director of Finance and Analytics, Expeditions Product Development and Operations teams. This position will develop and implement expedition shore excursions across many ports and regions. The manager leads and contributes to projects between the various shoreside and onboard teams to ensure product policy and processes are negotiated, documented, and executed accurately. She/he handles the operational issues in contact with onboard Expedition team members, Expedition Operations, Tour operators and any other parties that needs to be involved to ensure the proper execution of the services.

Manager Expedition Activity Development

Ponant
Marseille
03.2022 - Current
  • Company Overview: Ponant is a strong and dynamic company with a growing fleet of 13 ocean vessels cruising around the world and expanding their expedition focus to explore the most remote destinations.
  • As member of the Product Team, the Manager of Expedition Activity Development creates a variety of expedition activities and shore experiences.
  • The position works closely with local vendors and the expedition team to defines each activity and excursion, provides details to the team's copy writers, helps with the marketing position, and determines the right mix of activities, supports the shipboard team and local vendors in the efficient execution of the shore program and works closely with the operation team assisting with training of staff and problem resolution.
  • Ponant is a strong and dynamic company with a growing fleet of 13 ocean vessels cruising around the world and expanding their expedition focus to explore the most remote destinations.

Manager Guest Services & Shipboard Finances

Brodosplit Ship Management
Split
09.2020 - 06.2021
  • Member of Hotel Operation team for start-up project MS Golden Horizon, the world's largest square-rigged sailing vessel, to carry 272 passengers and in service for Tradewind Voyage UK.
  • The position is responsible for all aspects of shipboard finance related matters and guest services processes and procedures related to day-to-day operation including onboard reconciliation and control, vessel auditing, crew matters and payroll handling, management, and supervision of the shipboard admin team.
  • Full support of the onboard IT systems and project manager for MarineXchange (MXP) operational system implementation; Set up, maintaining integrity of data, and providing first line support.

Shore Excursion & Guest Experience Manager

Scenic Discovery Yachts
Monaco
09.2018 - 08.2020
  • Company Overview: Start-up project for the world's first discovery yacht to be launched in August 2019.
  • The position is overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the guest experience from embarkation to disembarkation and all operational aspects including on-board entertainment and shore program management.
  • Develop and implement entertainment plan, Music, Library, TV content and festive event.
  • Oversee staffing requirements, entertainer contracting and entertainment operation.
  • Plan and delivery of shore program; book and confirm allotments and suppliers for each destination, port operation staffing requirements and roasters, audit excursion delivery and action changes and updates with guests and suppliers as required.
  • Working closely with Senior Expedition Leader on development and delivery of expedition program on board during vessel launch and polar region.
  • Administrator for MXP (MarineXchange Program) software and all shipboard modules (Culinary, Hotel Maintenance, HR & Payroll, PMS, POS, Port-, Tour- and Visitor Management).
  • Oversees the financial reporting of PEC Operations Monaco and manages and supervise the shipboard financial reporting.
  • Supporting management in reviewing monthly budget control; Planning and development in costs/budget preparation; Providing all possible cost inputs and running scenarios.
  • Start-up project for the world's first discovery yacht to be launched in August 2019.

Expedition Shore Program Manager

Silversea Cruises SAM
Monaco
04.2017 - 08.2018
  • Working closely with Head of Expedition Planning & Strategic Development on development and implementation of the new Expedition Shore Excursion pre-booking system 'MySilversea'.
  • Working closely with tour and ground operators, and in conjunction coordinating with the Expedition Team to communicate with operators regarding itinerary changes, charter announcements, and other activity as it arose.
  • Was main point of contact for the Expedition team for all actual program information, including Shore Program Director.
  • Supporting Head of Expedition Planning & Strategic Development in the costs/budget preparation, providing all possible cost inputs and running scenarios.
  • Working in conjunction with Director Expedition Shore Programs, to ensure responsibility for shore side services being conducted in accordance with company procedures; monitoring program performance and raising go/no-go decisions, or rescheduling options when below minimum.
  • Preparation of all training and marketing material related to the Shore Excursion program. Preparing all materials needed for the excursion program to be properly included in the Travel Journal; liaising with Global Marketing Team.

Senior Manager Controlling Ocean

Viking Cruises
Basel
11.2015 - 08.2016
  • Review, update and implement on board financial reporting structure in alignment with accounting guidelines.
  • Support Chief Purser, Crew Purser and Administrative team on board with all financial matters, including account settlements, cashbook, reconciliation, payroll, reporting.
  • Support month and year end closing by timely completion of required procedures and reports in compliance with deadlines.
  • Conduct internal audits on board the vessels on a regular base.
  • Work closely with financial team to investigate and correct operational issues.
  • Develop and implement operational and financial controls to achieve business objectives.
  • Ensure business operations are in compliance with company policies and best practices.
  • Prepare internal reporting package including operating metrics, financial controls and performance indicators that will help in improving business performance.
  • Assist in preparation and evaluation of annual budgets, including developing of financial models to achieve revenues and cost objectives.
  • Assist Operations Managers in preparation for operation reviews.

Shipboard Accounting Manager

Silversea Cruises SAM
Monaco
10.2009 - 10.2015
  • Management and supervision of the vessels on-board Finance team consisting of 7 vessels and 18 employees.
  • Reconciliation and auditing of shipboard voyage accounting.
  • Analyse monthly and quarterly revenue reports for executive management.
  • Payroll reconciliation of all vessels payroll and prepare monthly payroll reports for management and executives.
  • Ensure accounting deadlines are met on target.
  • Review, update and implement business processes and procedures related to on-board finances.
  • Create and implement manuals to standardize finance processes and transactions fleet wide.
  • Day-to-day liaising with ship finance team for all on-board financial issues.
  • Port clearance and monitoring port expenses (vessel disbursement expenses).
  • Monitor and coordinate all cash deliveries for all SSC vessels.
  • Assist in generating fiscal year budgets.
  • Administration and maintenance of on-board finance systems: Fidelio, payroll software, credit card software (Servebase), POS and MXP port disbursement module.

Associate Hessentag Team with emphasis finances

Stadt Langenselbold
Langenselbold
01.2009 - 09.2009
  • Company Overview: Employed for the city council of Langenselbold as Financial Controller for the project 'Hessentag' which is the oldest and biggest land celebration in Hessen with 1000+ exhibitions and events, which attract more than one million visitors each year.
  • Employed for the city council of Langenselbold as Financial Controller for the project 'Hessentag' which is the oldest and biggest land celebration in Hessen with 1000+ exhibitions and events, which attract more than one million visitors each year.

Financial Controller

Grace Bay Club
Providenciales
12.2007 - 12.2008
  • Managed the Finance function to ensure accurate management of all financial data and that accounts were produced consistently within company policies and timetables.
  • Reported to the General Manager and worked alongside the Chief Financial Officer to deliver commercial business objectives and financial targets.
  • Responsible for the efficient running of the Accounts Department, as well as Purchasing and IT within the property.
  • This was accomplished through review, evaluation, planning and instigating of appropriate action for the hotel to achieve its sales, costs and profitability targets and managing the accounting function up to trial balance function.
  • This role was also part of the hotel's Executive team.
  • Advised the General Manager and Departmental Heads on all financial and accounting matters.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
02.2001 - 11.2007
  • Company Overview: Employed with RSSC for 7 years. During this period, held positions as Second and First Purser, Crew Purser, Chief Purser and Financial Officer on the fleet.
  • Employed with RSSC for 7 years. During this period, held positions as Second and First Purser, Crew Purser, Chief Purser and Financial Officer on the fleet.

Education

Bachelor - Tourism Study

Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University
Frankfurt, Germany
01.1996

Apprenticeship - Travel Agent

Touristikschule & Atlas Reisen
Hanau, Germany
01.1994

Diploma - German Business & Administration

Kaufmännische Schulen II d. Stadt Hanau
Hanau, Germany
01.1991

Skills

  • IT Skills: Fidelio & ASI, MarineXchange, Peachtree Accounting, Navision Accounting System, TTL-Fleet Payroll System, Microsoft Office, Galileo
  • Budget management
  • Product development
  • Financial analysis
  • Vendor negotiation
  • Team collaboration
  • Operational oversight
  • Analytical thinking
  • Relationship building
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Contract negotiation
  • Quality control
  • Decision-making
  • Organizational skills
  • Financial management
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Reliability
  • Positive attitude
  • Multitasking capacity
  • Professional and courteous
  • Product management
  • Problem-solving

Certification

Certificates, References and Evaluations provided upon request.

Languages

  • English, fluent, professional use
  • German, native, professional use
  • French, basic level

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth: 02/14/73
  • Nationality: German

Mobile

+49 176 209 86 980, +33 781 115 604

Languages

German
First Language
English
Elementary (A2)
A2
French
Beginner (A1)
A1

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Manager Destination Experiences Expedition

Silversea Cruises
09.2023 - Current

Manager Expedition Activity Development

Ponant
03.2022 - Current

Manager Guest Services & Shipboard Finances

Brodosplit Ship Management
09.2020 - 06.2021

Shore Excursion & Guest Experience Manager

Scenic Discovery Yachts
09.2018 - 08.2020

Expedition Shore Program Manager

Silversea Cruises SAM
04.2017 - 08.2018

Senior Manager Controlling Ocean

Viking Cruises
11.2015 - 08.2016

Shipboard Accounting Manager

Silversea Cruises SAM
10.2009 - 10.2015

Associate Hessentag Team with emphasis finances

Stadt Langenselbold
01.2009 - 09.2009

Financial Controller

Grace Bay Club
12.2007 - 12.2008

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
02.2001 - 11.2007

Bachelor - Tourism Study

Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University

Apprenticeship - Travel Agent

Touristikschule & Atlas Reisen

Diploma - German Business & Administration

Kaufmännische Schulen II d. Stadt Hanau

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