Travel Operations Manager (Italy / Europe)
COMPANY OVERVIEW
We are an established tour operator based on Bainbridge Island, WA looking for an exceptional Travel Operations Manager for Italy and other European operations. We design and operate a variety of unique, global travel experiences for enthusiasts, groups, and organizations with a strong focus on wine specialty travel. Join us and play a pivotal role in helping us develop and operate the world’s best specialty wine travel experiences.
POSITION DETAILS
Position: Full-time
Location: Remote (Italy / Europe)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Itinerary Development
Develop creative and detailed itineraries based on the specialty and region of interest.
Conduct cost analysis for each component, manage overall budget, and evaluate value for money.
Determine logistics plan to ensure seamless transitions between activities, locations, and accommodations.
Incorporate appropriate vendors and mix of services.
Convert experiences, ideas, and concepts into itineraries, detailing day-to-day activities, highlights, links, background information, and other relevant facts.
Closer to departure, develop full technical itineraries with minute-by-minute details, contacts, instructions, payments, and other essential information to operate each trip.
Trip Management and Contracting
Review and draft contracts with vendors, track vendor insurance, and ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
Schedule, track, and manage any potential extra in-field services such as early arrivals, extra nights, and special on-trip requests.
Supervise vendor payments, ensuring timely and accurate transactions.
Provide day-to-day oversight of trips, acting as a fixer and troubleshooter to resolve any issues proactively.
Vendor Discovery, Management, and Relationships
Research, network, and attend local conferences to identify potential new vendors, including hotels, transportation companies, guides, restaurants, wineries, and other activities.
Manage vendor relationships including planning, proposals, costing, scheduling, and any on-trip activities.
Proactively communicate expectations and standards to ensure an exceptional level of service.
Evaluate and rank vendors based on quality of service, reliability, cost, and alignment with company values.
Document interactions, proposals, agreements, and trip feedback for all vendors.
Post-trip, provide constructive feedback to vendors to ensure continuous improvement.
Internal Expert Destination Advisor
Act as an in-house destination expert and support resource for Guest Services and other team members in each region.
QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of substantial travel operations or hospitality experience in the region.
Fluent in Italian and English, with additional European languages a plus.
Sophisticated itinerary development experience, an understanding of North American guest expectations, and the ability to qualify local vendors.
Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation and vendor management.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, cost analysis, and spreadsheet management.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
Proven ability to work remotely and collaborate effectively across time zones.
Proficiency in using web-based project management, itinerary planning, and other tools.
Bachelor's degree required; emphasis on analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, practical experience, and outstanding referrals.
PREFERRED SKILLS & TRAITS
Strong knowledge of wines and wine industry, particularly in Italy and Europe.
Embodies hospitality with optimistic kindness, empathy, and integrity.
Driven to promptly identify, prioritize, and resolve core issues with a no-excuses attitude.
Committed to high-quality work, personal accountability, and long-term success.
Meticulous and relentless in the pursuit of excellence, with strong listening and questioning skills.
A mentor and leader who actively recruits and builds relationships, serving as a positive role model both internally and externally.
Intellectually curious with a deep commitment to craftsmanship, always open to learning and improvement.
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We handcraft & operate specialty group travel programs to the world's best destinations. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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