Job Detail

Director of Operations / Production, Europe – EF Ultimate Break

EF Ultimate Break is currently looking for an ambitious, talented and experienced Director of Operations, Europe with a passion for delivering excellent experiences for our customers, a strong drive for sourcing and contracting, and great attention to detail. The ideal candidate will have a minimum eight years’ experience in the travel (or an equivalent) industry, including experience in an operationally focused role, and at least three years of team management experience. The position will be based in our new headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, with frequent travel around Europe and to North America.

EF Education First is the world leader in international education. With more than 52,000 staff and teachers and with a presence in 115 countries around the world, our mission is simple: opening the world through education. Since we were founded in 1965, EF has helped more than 15 million people see the world, learn a language or earn an academic degree. EF Ultimate Break is a tour operator allowing 18-29 year-old travelers to experience the world through 65+ immersive and fun group travel itineraries.

Responsibilities:

Our Director of Operations responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing the operational strategy for our product


• Managing and leading a team of five Operations Managers, each responsible for Operations in a geographical region in Europe


• Working closely with our Product Development team in helping define, develop and evolve our product and portfolio of tours


• Owning the European budget for the product and setting aggressive team and individual goals related to cost and quality


• Establishing and maintaining a clear roadmap for the team that takes into account the team’s internal tasks as well as its responsibilities to the wider product


• Representing Operations in EF Ultimate Breaks’ senior leadership team, as well as the Operations leadership team


• Taking a lead role in helping solve major operational challenges and emergencies as needed, both during and out of office hours


• Developing each staff member to their full potential through regular feedback, reviews and professional development


• Recruiting highly talented team members when positions become available

Experience and Skills:

The ideal candidate possesses the following experience and skills:

• Eight or more years’ experience in the travel (or equivalent) industry, including at least partially in operationally-focused functions


• Minimum three years’ team management experience


• Strong business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit and “can do” spirit


• Proven leadership skills and ability to drive a team


• Ability to balance big-picture thinking with detailed day-to-day management


• Experience in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships


• Fluent in English, written and spoken, additional European languages is an advantage


• Ability to work in high pressured environment and meet deadlines

We look forward to your application!