At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a luxury travel business, shaping strategy and enhancing customer experiences.
- Company: Fast-growing bespoke luxury travel company with a focus on exceptional journeys.
- Benefits: Remote-first work, competitive salary up to £95,000, generous leave, and home office allowance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and help shape the future of luxury travel.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a premium travel business while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in luxury travel operations and expertise in systems and processes.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
A Director of Operations job, remote-first, within the luxury travel industry, offering up to £95,000 DOE. This is a senior leadership role covering operations, systems and customer experience, working closely with the senior leadership team to scale a fast-growing leisure travel business.
Are you an experienced operational leader who has successfully scaled teams, systems, and processes within a bespoke or luxury travel business, and are you excited by the challenge of building the foundations for significant future growth? Do you combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, enjoying everything from developing operational workflows and financial controls to improving customer journeys, CRM platforms, automation, and AI-driven efficiencies? Can you inspire and develop high-performing teams while working collaboratively across Operations, Product, Finance, Sales, and Customer Experience to deliver exceptional results? Are you looking for an opportunity to shape the future of a fast-growing, premium leisure travel business, where your leadership, commercial insight, and passion for operational excellence will have a lasting impact?
Our client is a fast-growing, tailor-made luxury travel business known for delivering bespoke journeys and exceptional customer experiences. As the business scales, they are strengthening their operational foundations to support ambitious growth plans. They are now seeking a Director of Operations who will play a key role in shaping the organisation’s operational strategy — building scalable systems, strengthening the team and ensuring the customer journey remains exceptional as the business grows.
The Role: In this role, you will lead the evolution of the Operations function as the business scales, building robust, scalable systems, processes and controls that support the company’s next chapter.
- Lead the evolution of the Operations function as the business scales
- Design and implement robust, scalable operational systems, processes and controls
- Support, mentor and develop the Head of Operations and wider Operations team
- Oversee the customer journey from booking through to travel
- Revamp out-of-hours support systems, from routine queries to emergencies
- Own supplier payment processes in partnership with the Finance team
- Build operational reporting and KPIs to drive performance and continuous improvement
- Continually improve CRM, automations and customer communications systems
- Champion the use of AI and automation to improve efficiency and customer experience
- Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, helping shape long-term strategy
Experience Required:
- Significant leadership experience within bespoke or luxury travel operations
- Proven track record scaling operational teams, systems and processes in a growing business
- Highly systems-oriented, with experience designing operational workflows
- Strong CRM and operational systems expertise, ideally including Airtable and SendGrid or similar platforms
- Comfortable working with automation, AI, data and reporting to drive continuous improvement
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including supplier management and operational controls
- Experience partnering with Product and Engineering teams on internal systems
- Strong people leadership skills — coaching, mentoring and building high-performing teams
- Calm under pressure, highly organised and naturally collaborative
Benefits:
- Remote-first working
- Up to £95,000 DOE
- Generous leave allowance
- Home office allowance
Locations
Director of Operations in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Ambitions Travel Recruitment
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Contact Details:
Ambitions Travel Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Get Involved in Local Travel Events
Join local tourism fairs or travel expos in your area. These events are a treasure trove for networking, and you can often meet hiring managers from companies like Ambitions Travel Recruitment who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Director of Operations.
✨Showcase Your Travel Know-How
Create a travel blog or use social media to share your experiences and insights about different destinations. This can help you stand out to recruiters in the travel industry, demonstrating your passion for the sector and your ability to engage with an audience.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your School
Check out alumni groups linked to the travel and tourism sectors. Often, these connections can lead to inside info about opportunities at companies like Ambitions Travel Recruitment and give you a leg up for your Director of Operations application.
✨Don’t Shy Away from Cold Emails
If there's a dream company you want to join, don’t hesitate to send a friendly email to their HR or recruitment team. Express your interest in their vision and mention that you’re keen on any Director of Operations openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:In the travel and tourism industry, your love for exploration and different cultures should shine through in your application. Make sure to share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for travel—this can really set you apart when applying for the Director of Operations role at Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Customer service is king in travel and tourism. When detailing your work experience, focus on situations where you provided outstanding service or resolved customer issues, as this demonstrates your ability to ensure client satisfaction. Include specific examples in your CV to show that you're ready to face the challenges of the Director of Operations position at Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Keep Your CV Travel-Themed:When it comes to CV conventions in the travel industry, think of including any relevant certifications or training you've completed, like first aid or tour guiding courses. If you've travelled widely yourself, don't hesitate to mention that—it's all about showing your background fits the globetrotting vibe of Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're a great fit but also reflect your personality! Use this space to express what excites you about the travel sector and how you can contribute to Ambitions Travel Recruitment's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Director of Operations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Travel Recruitment
✨Show Off Your Travel Knowledge
For a role in travel and tourism, it’s vital to demonstrate your knowledge of different destinations, cultures, and travel trends. Brush up on popular destinations and recent changes in travel restrictions. We suggest bringing some interesting travel stories or experiences to share—this can help you connect personally with the interviewer!
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Expect to be hit with customer service scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a challenging traveller or resolve a booking issue. Think of a few real-life examples from your experiences, even if they’re just from customer service roles. This will show that you're ready for the field and have the right mindset to tackle on-the-ground challenges!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Passion
In a full-time travel position, there are often irregular hours and spontaneous travel opportunities. Be sure to convey your flexibility and willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of this industry. Let’s showcase that enthusiasm for travel and how it drives your decision-making!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Get familiar with travel booking systems and tools, such as Amadeus or Sabre. If you have experience using any specific software or even social media for travel promotions, bring that up! We want to show that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to their processes at Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
