Job Description
Job Description
Please provide a cover letter or email with a thoughtful explanation of why you are interested in this job and how your experience applies.
Salary starts at $43,500
Job Summary : WINGS serves a fast-paced niche market industry. Our tours focus on bird watching and natural history, and our team annually arranges and manages more than 150 domestic and international trips across the globe. We’ve been at the forefront of the industry since 1973.
A successful Tour Manager will need to be efficient with work, a natural organizer and a great communicator, as well as sociable and outgoing with a positive outlook and a good sense of humor.
The position of Tour Manager is multifaceted. It involves first-rate customer service when presenting and discussing tour opportunities to potential and current participants. It also encompasses the creation, costing, and logistics planning of multiple tours within a complex and dynamic annual schedule. Much of the work is computer-based (using the Internet, email, Word, Excel, etc.) and involves fast, accurate keyboard skills and thorough documentation. The Tour Manager can operate both on- and off-site from our office in Tucson.
The Tour Manager is an exempt position, and is expected to work the hours needed each week to fulfill job duties. This position averages 40 hours per week full time.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Tour Manager should be able to perform the following duties with ease :
- Coordinating all aspects of tours in accordance with specified itineraries and deadlines including :
Sourcing and securing local lodging and transport at competitive rates
Booking local guides, arranging meals if tour requires thisWorking with ground agents, both domestic and international, to secure acceptable agreements for WINGS group tour logisticsSending hotels and / or ground agents rooming lists, payments and occasional meal requirementsCosting and organizing tour itinerariesConfirming all reservations : flights, hotels, meals, attractions, and transportationManaging tour expenses and vendor payments responsiblyLiaising between Tour Leaders, Managing Director, other WINGS staff, hotel and coach suppliers,tour operators, and local ground agents
Completing and submitting all required paperwork in a timely manner (this includes government permits).Tracking all tour-related purchases and financesBooking and processing clients; communicating information as needed via phone and emailDocumenting all arrangements and tracking all correspondence; bookings, cancellations, paymentsCreating tour documents for Tour Leaders, ground agents, and clientsMaintaining discretion when handling sensitive client and operational details (CC numbers, contact info, passport details, medical concerns, evaluation commentary, etc.)Updating relevant web pagesCompleting post-tour accounting, records and reports following conclusion of toursOccasional travel for festival / trade show participation or tour scouting / reviewOther duties to help support the operations of the WINGS office, as assigned by the Managing Director or Operations Manager that may range from administrative duties to support office activities / needs, to working with technical support.Required Qualifications
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects withminimal supervision
Self-starter, with ability to seek answers to issues that may come upProficiency with Microsoft Office : Excel, Word, Outlook for word processing, spreadsheets, documentation, and correspondenceExceptional communication abilities; keen written and oral skills with high attention to detailWell-developed social skills with the ability to work positively with people at all levels in different social and cultural settings, and maintain those working relationshipsIntuitive, quick thinker : can make sense of tour logistics, anticipate customer needs, answer website queries, handle new bookings, and reply to participants’ inquiries with ease and acceptanceUpbeat attitude, for personalized customer service when answering calls and emailsConfident presentation demeanor; active listening skillsEffective Internet navigation in Chrome, Firefox, Internet ExplorerSolid discipline with ability to work efficiently, prioritize duties, responsibilities, and assigned tasksAble to contribute towards the sales goals of the business by accurately completing tour management from start to finishComfortable in a small business atmosphere, we all help!Preferred Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience showing independent working ability, excellent organization skills, and managing multiple projects dailyPrior involvement in travel or tourism industryFamiliarity with domestic and international destinationsWorld language skills a plus but not requiredInterest in birding and nature; must like dogs (WINGS has an office dog)Salary and Benefits
Starting $43,500Health insurance, with optional dental coveragePaid holidays, Paid Time OffMatching retirement plan (begins after one year of employment)Travel discount on WINGS tours
Salary : $43,500
