Manager, Trip Operations - Private Jet

For nearly two decades, Adventures by Disney has been a leading travel brand, offering over 40 guided-group adventures across land, river, and expedition cruises. Disney-trained Adventure Guides ensure hassle-free vacations with masterful storytelling, in-depth knowledge, and attention to detail, fostering lasting connections with each destination. The heart of every Adventures by Disney vacation lies in the authenticity, immersion in cultures, insider access, and curated activities.

Building on a legacy of over 135 years, National Geographic Explorers have ventured across continents, remote cultures, ocean depths, and towering mountains. National Geographic Expeditions extends this legacy, allowing travelers to embrace their inner explorer and witness the wonders of the world up close and in depth. With Signature Land, Expedition Cruise, River Cruise, or Private Jet options, National Geographic Expeditions provides unparalleled access to the world with knowledgeable Experts. Additionally, every trip booked supports the global nonprofit National Geographic Society, contributing to the work of National Geographic Explorers worldwide in protecting and illuminating our world through exploration, research, and education.

The Manager, Trip Operations – Private Jet manages and holds accountable a team for Adventures & Expeditions (A&E) which handles all trip logistics and the associated finances for a subset of National Geographic Expeditions Private Jet departures. This role is responsible for the profitability and operational excellence of the assigned portfolio as well as the associated finances which includes owning the budgets, reconciliations, and program negotiations. Accountable for 24/7 Emergency Help Line – managing, staffing and procedures. Accountable for creation and initializing of operational agreements as well as negotiations for costs and terms/conditions with global suppliers and partnering with Trip Development for strategical redesign of programs.

The Manager, Trip Operations - Private Jet will report to the Senior Manager, Trip Operations – Private Jet and sits in Celebration, FL.

What You Will Do/Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the profitability and operational excellence of an NGE O&O Private Jet portfolio. Leads, manages holds accountable a team of leaders and their direct reports. Conducts regular meetings with staff and ensures that they are on task, producing high-quality, accurate work, meeting deadlines, and working toward goals.
• Accountable for own and team’s creation and initialization of operational agreements as well as negotiations for costs and terms/conditions with global suppliers.
• Accountable for own and team’s correct and complete trip finances, including budgets, AP function, reconciliations, and close outs for all assigned departures.
• Oversees trip logistics on all portfolio departures and holds suppliers accountable for performance. Troubleshoots anticipated and real-time logistical issues.
• Works with other team leaders both cross-functionally and within own department to determine, create and implement processes and standard operating procedures to provide efficient and cohesive strategic approach.
• Helps hold on-trip staff accountable for on-trip performance and provide coaching/feedback as needed. Mentors team on same.
• Assists in monitoring risk around the globe and partnering with Global Security team to make decisions about traveler safety. Collaborate with Leadership, Public Affairs, Legal, Contact Center, and Revenue Management to create and manage communication plans. Accountable for 24/7 Emergency Help Line coverage: managing, staffing and procedures; assisting staff with troubleshooting real-time issues.
  
  
  

You will Have/Required Qualifications:

• 5+ year’s relevant travel operations experience
• 4+ years’ experience working in the Travel industry (domestic and intl). Extensive global destination experience
• 3+ years’ experience leading employees (salaried preferred); Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and develop a team. Experience delivering feedback accordingly.
• Experience using sound judgement and decision-making skills during high-stress, operational situations while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Experience working across functional lines and as a member of a diverse, matrixed team. Ability to work well cross-functionally.
• Extremely detail-oriented; possesses strong, demonstrated, project-management skills
• Collaboration and partnering skills but with the autonomy to get things done without oversight when needed.
• Strategic and analytical mindset
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years working with Private Jet programs or directly with National Geographic Expeditions.
• Experience with looking at data and metrics and presenting findings and trends to senior leadership.
• Familiar with overall financials including owning the large and small scale budgets, reconciliations, and travel program negotiations.
• Experience working with global suppliers and comfortable with interacting with vendors/partners that are in multiple time zones and countries.
• Familiarity with Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions products destinations and overall business model
  
  
  

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
  
  
  

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.