Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford
Director of Operations, Europe

Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford

Shefford Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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G Adventures

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations across Europe, driving growth and innovation in adventure travel.
  • Company: Join G Adventures, the world's largest small-group adventure travel company.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, vacation time, and enhanced parental leave.
  • Other info: Open to applicants from all over Europe; embrace diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry while fostering community and culture.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in travel management with strong leadership and negotiation skills.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

About Us
G Adventures is the world’s largest small-group adventure travel company and we’ve been making epic travel memories happen on all seven continents for over 30 years. Our mission is simple: to change lives through travel. Since day one, our tours have been built to establish meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places we visit at every step of our tours. With the demand for travel coming back strong, we are set up and excited for this next chapter in our company’s story.

Our DNA revolves around building, nurturing, and developing a diverse culture of people and a true sense of belonging, where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work each and every day. You’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, and yourself, alongside a passionate, talented, and welcoming community that works hard to spread goodness around the world.

About the Role
The Director of Operations, Europe is responsible for representing the region at the highest level. This role is charged with fostering growth and innovative opportunities for the company, as well as development opportunities for employees & CEOs, while creating global company awareness for these regions and driving high performance. Reporting to our VP, Global Operations, this role will be responsible for the overall stability, customer satisfaction, profitability and engagement of the region.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership & Business Development
    • Drive annual growth, profitability, and Net Promoter Score (NPS) objectives by collaborating with senior leadership and ensuring regional alignment.
    • Identify and cultivate new trip ideas, relationships, and market opportunities to foster regional growth, differentiation, and cost-effectiveness.
    • Develop and manage profitable on-tour ancillary revenue streams that align with the service needs of G Adventures travelers.
    • Work with the centralized yield team to optimize trip profitability across product tiers and identify areas for sales, marketing, and yield intervention.
    • Stay current with local regulations to ensure the company maintains a competitive and reputable market position.
  • Team Leadership & People Management
    • Lead, manage, and develop high-performing Operations teams in a dynamic environment.
    • Partner with the Global Talent team to attract, hire and retain top talent across all business areas.
    • Foster an engaged staff, strong company culture and adherence to core values.
    • Oversee annual performance reviews for direct reports and ensure all staff reviews are completed.
    • Inspire and guide CEO management teams to be fully integrated and engaged with the company, the brand and the travelers.
    • Champion diversity and inclusion by ensuring regional team representation and opportunities for participation in regional and global events.
  • Operations & Supply Chain Management
    • Establish and execute contracting objectives with the buying team to control tour costs and achieve maximum savings and efficiencies.
    • Ensure strict adherence to supply chain guidelines.
    • Build and maintain strong supply chain relationships, professionalizing the process to guarantee high-level service for the company and our travelers.
    • Commit to and implement best practices for delivering exceptional service to all Destination Management Company (DMC) relationships.
    • Collaborate with Regional Operations Managers and Supervisors to maintain efficient and effective processes based on centralized guidelines.
    • Encourage and disseminate best practices within and across responsible teams.
    • Work with the centralized service and admin team to ensure daily Reservations, Accounts Payable (AP) and CEO Admin support for the regions.
  • Financial & Risk Management
    • Manage office overhead budgets in line with the Finance team and Vice President of Operations guidelines.
    • Prioritize the safety and security of passengers and staff in all operational decisions and procedures.
    • Lead Critical Incident Management (CIM) as required, supported by the global CIM team.

Skills & Experience

  • University Degree in a relevant field such as Operations, Business, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry.
  • At least 5 years of senior-level management experience.
  • Proven experience working and conducting business within the specified regions.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage remote teams.
  • Extensive personal travel history, particularly within the region.
  • Strong commitment to delivering exceptional service and enhancing the traveler experience.
  • Proficiency in B2B negotiation and contracting.
  • Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong, long-term business relationships.
  • Robust general business acumen, encompassing budgeting, strategic planning, written and verbal communication, financial management, basic legal understanding, project management, and organizational skills.
  • A proven ability to motivate, lead, develop, and coach teams with a collaborative, team-focused approach.
  • Demonstrated decision-making abilities coupled with a proactive and decisive leadership style.

Please note, we are open to applications from candidates across Europe so please do apply if you are interested in the role even if your location is not listed.

What do we offer you?

  • Competitive salary commensurate with the role
  • Competitive benefits package
  • Birthday day off
  • Vacation time for you to recharge
  • Enhanced Parental Leave
  • Learning and growth opportunities
  • Employee Resource Groups

G Adventures is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We consider all qualified applicants.

Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford employer: G Adventures

G Adventures is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where every employee is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous vacation time, and enhanced parental leave, all while being part of a passionate community dedicated to making a positive impact through travel. Join us in our mission to change lives through travel and enjoy the unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that values diversity and fosters meaningful relationships.
G Adventures

Contact Detail:

G Adventures Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the travel and tourism industry, especially those who work at G Adventures. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching G Adventures' values and mission. Show us how your experience aligns with our goal of changing lives through travel. We love candidates who are passionate about what we do!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply; engage! Follow G Adventures on social media, comment on posts, and share your travel experiences. This shows us you're genuinely interested and can help you stand out from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 4

Use our website to apply directly! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re proactive and keen to be part of our adventure-loving community.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford

Strategic Leadership
Business Development
Team Leadership
People Management
Financial Management
Risk Management
B2B Negotiation
Contracting
Project Management
Organisational Skills
Customer Satisfaction
Cultural Awareness
Collaboration
Decision-Making
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your personality and passion for travel. Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us why you’re excited about this role and how you can contribute to our mission.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Director of Operations role. Highlight your relevant experience in the travel industry and how it aligns with our goals. Show us that you understand what we do and how you can help us grow!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a potential leader, we want to see examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven results. Share specific stories that demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop others, as well as your strategic thinking in operations.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our adventure-loving team!

How to prepare for a job interview at G Adventures

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into G Adventures' mission and values. Understand their focus on community relationships and how they foster growth in the travel industry. This will help you align your answers with their core principles and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Director of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop high-performing teams. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams, driven growth, or improved customer satisfaction. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you inspire others.

✨Be Ready for Strategic Discussions

Expect questions about strategic leadership and business development. Think about how you've identified new market opportunities or cultivated relationships in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss your approach to driving profitability and enhancing the traveller experience, as these are key aspects of the role.

✨Emphasise Cultural Fit

G Adventures values diversity and inclusion, so be sure to express your commitment to these principles. Share experiences where you've championed inclusivity in your teams or organisations. This will resonate well with their culture and show that you can contribute positively to their environment.

Director of Operations, Europe in Shefford
G Adventures
Location: Shefford
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