Manager, Trip Operations - Private Jet, Adventures & Expeditions

About Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions

Adventures by Disney has been a premier travel brand for nearly 20 years, offering over 40 guided group expeditions covering land, river, and sea cruises. Disney Adventure Guides provide story-rich, seamless vacations that emphasize cultural immersion, insider access, and carefully curated experiences. National Geographic Explorers continue a 135+ year legacy exploring the world’s most remote and remarkable places. National Geographic Expeditions offers travelers unique access through Signature Land, Expedition Cruise, and Private Jet options, with every trip supporting the nonprofit National Geographic Society’s global research and exploration efforts.

Role Overview

The Manager, Trip Operations - Private Jet, leads a dedicated team overseeing the planning, execution, and financial health of the private jet travel programs for Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions. This position ensures exceptional guest satisfaction, operational excellence, team leadership, and strong business outcomes by coordinating closely with internal teams and external vendors worldwide. The role is based onsite in Celebration, Florida and reports to the Senior Manager, Private Jet.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of 1–6 direct reports responsible for private jet escorted group trip planning, execution, and profitability, driving operational standards.
• Direct on-trip personnel and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver seamless program execution and meet business goals.
• Coach and mentor team members and operational staff, establish clear expectations, provide feedback, and promote a culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage all operational elements for itineraries, ensuring flawless execution, outstanding guest experiences, and brand compliance.
• Act as the leading operational decision-maker during active trips, handling challenges such as itinerary disruptions, weather issues, mechanical problems, and security concerns.
• Lead change management processes for itinerary and operational adjustments, ensuring policy adherence and timely communication to guests and partners.
• Build and sustain relationships with global suppliers, including travel partners, hotels, and transportation providers; negotiate contracts and maintain quality and service standards.
• Drive financial management including budgeting, cost control, invoice oversight, and program profitability.
• Collaborate with Legal, Risk Management, Security, and other departments to maintain compliance with contractual, safety, insurance, and risk mitigation requirements.
• Ensure operational documentation, financial records, policies, training materials, and communications are accurate and up-to-date.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders such as Trip Development, Contact Center, Marketing, and Finance to support program development and execution.
• Verify accuracy and brand consistency for guest-facing content, marketing materials, websites, and operational collateral.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, ethics, brand guidelines, safety, and emergency procedures among staff and vendors.
• Provide 24/7 on-call operational support during active trips, proactively managing issues to maintain guest experience continuity.
• Travel nationally and internationally as needed for site visits, supplier meetings, and trip oversight.
• Lead projects and initiatives to improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Foster a diverse, inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years managing complex operations, logistics, supplier partnerships, budgeting, and cross-functional projects, ideally in travel, hospitality, experiential tourism, or luxury services.
• At least 3 years leadership experience managing teams or operational staff, preferably salaried management.
• Strong background in project or travel operations management, with preference for experience in international group travel, luxury travel, or private jet programs.
• Proven ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and deliver results in fast-paced settings.
• Skilled at building relationships and influencing stakeholders in matrixed, diverse corporate environments.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, positive, and committed to exceptional product, service, and guest outcomes.
• Extensive international and domestic travel and destination knowledge.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reconciliation, and cost control; advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Strong supplier management and negotiation capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to liaise effectively with global partners; foreign language skills are advantageous.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to anticipate and resolve challenges creatively.
• Solid knowledge of travel and hospitality industry operations and service standards.
• Outstanding organizational skills with close attention to detail and ability to handle competing priorities independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; experience with QuickBase, CRM, or comparable systems is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Possession of a valid passport.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Adventures by Disney and National Geographic Expeditions brand standards, products, and operating models.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Tourism, Aviation, Operations, Project Management, or related field.
• Certifications in Project Management, Operations Management, Hospitality, Risk Management or related disciplines are a plus.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Tourism, Operations, Project Management, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Additional Details

This position offers a competitive salary range of $91,000 to $121,900 annually, with additional bonus and long-term incentive opportunities depending on role level. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, savings programs, educational opportunities, and unique Disney perks. The role requires on-site presence in Celebration, FL.