Field Manager

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JOB TITLE: Field Manager (FM)

REPORTS TO: Max Orleans, Regional Director (RD) of Africa & Pacific

LOCATION: Berkeley Headquarters (4 days in-office, Wednesdays work from home). Location within another assigned region or remote locations may be considered for highly qualified candidates and/or business need as determined by the ET member in partnership with other key stakeholders.

TRAINING: Berkeley, CA

LENGTH OF SEASON: Full-time, Year-round

OPEN TO: All nationalities* (see below in eligibility, compensation, and benefits section)

REGIONS COVERED**: Africa & Pacific. Specific regions: Africa - Morocco, Egypt, African Safaris, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, potentially trip in the ‘Stans.

**Please note that regions may be added or changed based on business need and/or volume. Initial market ownership will also factor in prior candidate regional experience, role & expertise, which may result in changes to the regions shown above.

PURPOSE OF JOB:

The FM is a Trip Development (TD) role in Africa and the Pacific. In addition to classic Regional Field Lead responsibilities, FMs are also responsible for mentoring, hiring, and training new national guides, drivers, and support staff with a focus on ground operator business partnership. FMs primary focus is trip quality and oversight of their regions, supporting RDs on costs, contracts, crisis management, scheduling, private trips and new trip development. FMs work most closely with RDs, TEs, and FLOs to successfully manage trips and regional logistics for a designated segment of trips. FMs are a vital link between the office and field. They work across departments, working within Trip Development and with especially close ties to Operations and Leadership Development.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise TEs in critical quality decisions, timely execution of system updates, and delivery of all TD guest and leader facing materials
• Mentor TEs, national and local guides and ground operator partners, including providing feedback and mentoring performance
• Serve as vital communication link between field and office. Keep up with company and departmental communication to relay to Field Staff and Field Experts as needed
• Recruit, review applications, and make hiring recommendations for Field Experts
• Provide real time crisis management for on-trip issues including supporting the weekend on-call team
• Identify ways to add new trips and improve quality on existing trips
• Assist in design, development and desk research for new trips
• Understand and contribute to Backroads’ cost management in support of our pricing process
• Build and improve relationships with hotels and ground operators in partnership with RD
• Provide guidance to the Scheduling Team on Field Expert Schedules

Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and Ground Operators

• Hire, train, & terminate (where necessary) national guides and local support staff
• Build and improve relationships with ground operators and airlines in partnership with the RD
• Partner with local ground operators and local teams to create seamless support
• Review all ground operating contracts (with RD) to make sure they accurately express our trip needs and costs are accurate in Ascent
• Partner with Data Quality on cost accuracy for complicated ground operators
• Work with local ground operators on all national guide and driver schedules to ensure an efficient use of vehicles and high-quality guides on all trips

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in Trip Development or prior TE, RE, or RL experience required (LAAPA, especially Africa and/or the Pacific TE experience strongly preferred)
• Extensive Trip leading experience in Africa and/or the Pacific strongly preferred
• Understanding of TE Programs
• Experience in Leadership Development as a mentor strongly preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, including proven feedback skills via FTR feedback on trips and with co-leaders
• Analytical skills preferred but not required
• Ability to multi-task and handle a multitude of details while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong relationship management and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Cost management abilities
• Systems and database skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word
• Experience working with DMCs and Ground Operators a plus
• Understanding the connection from office to field to guest and ensuring quality at every step
• Flexible availability, including evenings and possible weekends, to collaborate with Asia-based teams and partners

ELIGIBILITY, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Salaried, full-time, year-round role, in office
• Compensation to be determined based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Eligible to lead 1-3 trips annually within your region, as agreed upon by your RD(s)
• Eligible to join our group medical, dental, and vision plans depending on the location (benefits might vary)
• Eligible for Trip Credit
• Multiple field visits each year based on business need, as agreed upon with your RD.
• Backroads will cover vehicle, accommodation and some food costs for business purposes when conducting field visits or traveling for work. You are responsible for providing your own housing, vehicle, & food when working from your base.
• *This position is open to all nationalities and is dependent on Backroads’ ability to secure a visa unless a candidate already has appropriate work authorization.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

• Please apply via Workday, including a cover letter explaining why you are interested and your qualifications as well as your resume
• Reach out to Max Orleans, Lauren Cook, or Justin Brown if you have questions.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

SALARY RANGE:

• The pay range is intended for in-person work in our Berkeley, CA headquarters. Pay ranges for remote-eligible roles will be subject to adjustment based on the location of the employee.