Travel Operations Manager (Strategic & Systems-Oriented)
Location: South Africa
Working Hours: Flexible, ideally 9 AM–5 PM Central or Eastern Time
Salary: $1,000–$1,500/month USD (based on experience)
About the company
The company that curates unique, international group trips for adventurous travelers.
About the role
We’re looking for a strategically minded Operations Manager to join our remote team. This isn’t just a logistics role—it’s a systems-building, process-improving, operations-optimizing opportunity for someone who can think beyond task execution.
The ideal candidate is operations-strong with a modern mindset—capable of creating and optimizing SOPs, spotting inefficiencies, and proactively improving systems. You’ll work closely with the founder to develop scalable infrastructure, manage trip logistics, and keep the business running smoothly behind the scenes.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Strategy & System Development
- Design, document, and refine SOPs and operational workflows
- Build new systems from scratch with input from the founder
- Identify inefficiencies and propose practical, tech-forward solutions
- Support tool selection and implementation, including setup and onboarding
Trip & Vendor Management
- Oversee logistics and coordination for 25–35 annual group trips
- Manage relationships with 25–30 international vendors and service providers
- Handle vendor communication, negotiation, and service monitoring
Customer Support & Communication
- Respond to customer inquiries pre- and during trips
- Maintain professional, timely, and friendly communication standards
- Coordinate resolutions for customer issues in real time during active trips
Tool Management & Tech Operations
- Use or learn tools like SquadTrip, Notion, Airtable, Lark, and Article
- Maintain up-to-date trip and customer data
- Suggest tech improvements and automations to increase efficiency
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in operations
- Background in travel or group trip planning (hospitality will be accepted)
- Proven ability to build systems, create SOPs, and think proactively
- Tech-savvy, with a willingness to learn new platforms quickly
- Strong problem-solving mindset and independent work ethic
- Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and communication skills
- Comfortable operating without set templates or micromanagement
- Fluent in English; additional languages are a bonus
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with tools like Notion, SquadTrip, or general CRM platforms
- Experience working in founder-led or startup environments
- Understanding of customer support in high-touch service industries
Why join us
Candidates will go through the following steps:
- Remote role with flexible work hours
- 10 days paid time off + U.S. public holidays
- Work directly with the founder to influence company growth
- Collaborate with a small, passionate, travel-loving team
- Be part of a company that creates global impact through connection and adventure
