General Manager (Travel Services)

As the General Manager, you will be at the forefront of building and maintaining strong relationships with ship managers and clients. Your responsibilities include serving as the primary point of contact for inquiries and concerns, keeping clients informed about travel-related updates and industry trends.

A key aspect of your role is team leadership, where you will formulate and supervise a team of travel coordinators. Ongoing training will be crucial to ensure exemplary service, and you will assign tasks, set objectives, and oversee performance to achieve departmental goals.

Financial management is integral to your position, involving the monitoring and control of travel expenditures for optimal cost-effectiveness without compromising service quality. Your negotiation skills will come into play as you secure contracts with airlines, hotels, and service providers, implementing cost-saving strategies while maintaining safety and comfort standards.

Quality control is a priority, and you will establish and uphold standards for all travel services, aiming for maximum customer satisfaction. Quick and professional resolution of travel-related issues and complaints is part of your commitment to excellence.

Data analysis is a crucial aspect of your role, involving the production of regular reports on travel-related activities, expenses, and key performance indicators. This analysis will help identify trends, improvement opportunities, and cost-saving initiatives to enhance travel services continuously.

In overseeing the planning and coordination of travel arrangements, you will collaborate with the operations team to schedule flights, transfers, accommodations, and other services for crew members, executives, and personnel involved in ship management. Your efficiency will ensure smooth visa processing and documentation for international travel, even in the face of last-minute changes or emergencies.

The qualifications for this role include a bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, or a related field, extensive experience in the travel, airline, and/or services industry, with a focus on corporate and/or maritime and offshore travel services. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, negotiation and vendor management proficiency, excellent organizational and time management abilities, knowledge of international travel regulations and documentation requirements, crisis management and problem-solving skills, adaptability to frequent shifts in priorities, proficiency in GDS, travel management software, and tools, and demonstrated leadership and team management skills.