Travel Program Manager

Full-time

About the Travel Program Manager, Missions position:

The Travel Program Manager is responsible for planning and implementing local, domestic, and eventually international Jewish-focused trips designed for older adults . This position is part of the Creative Aging Team and will work with professionals and volunteers, as well as travel agents, and tour companies to plan trips aligned with the Mandel JCC’s overall goals and objectives.

Essential Job Functions:

Strategic Leadership:

• Implement the overall strategy and direction for travel experiences that build community.
• Stay up to date on recent trends, best practices and innovative ideas about older adult group travel.

Trip Management:

• Create unique itineraries to Jewish sites of significance, importance, and interest.
• Ensure seamless execution of trips by coordinating with travel vendors, such as airlines, tour operators, speakers, and destination management companies.
• Provide guidance and support in preparation of trip proposals from initial concept to final approval.
• Develop and manage trip budgets, accountable for adherence to the approved budget.
• Work with marketing professionals to develop materials promoting trips
• Manage calls from potential participants, answering general and specific informational questions regarding trips.
• Work in consultation with staff and tour operators, ensure itinerary and participant experience for each trip creates community, enhances Jewish connection, and is a premium experience.
• Create, implement, and monitor a follow-up plan with participants to gather feedback.
• Review and maintain the accuracy of all lists: participant, rooming, bus, land only, special requests, seating requests, dietary requests, celebrations, etc.
• Travel with groups to provide on-site logistical support as necessary and appropriate.
• This position requires scheduling flexibility, with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, as well as consideration of time differences for overseas calls.

• Manage relationships with all travel vendors and service providers.

Communication and Materials Preparation:

• Prepare and manage necessary materials for trips, including pre, post, and during trip documentation.
• Prep and assist in scheduling, preparing, and organizing trip informational sessions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years of experience with travel/stewardship or related field like a travel agent or equivalent combination of relevant education, experience, and skills required.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills. High-level attention to detail.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professional integrity.
• Strong knowledge of basic office computing, including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Zoom, and basic database skills required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in developing and managing large budgets.

Experience with Jewish organizations/institutions, either as an employee, volunteer, or participant preferred.

• Experience and demonstrated ability to coordinate and prioritize workflow processes including managing multiple tasks, setting schedules, meeting deadlines, organizing, and planning.
• Ability to build trusted relationships; work effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively with lay leadership and colleagues across departments and at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with demonstrated organizational skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced work environment and adapting to rapidly changing priorities and needs.