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Director, Operations & Project Management
21st Century Fox
Chicago, IL, United States
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OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANYNational Geographic
The National Geographic Channels form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society’s mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Director of Private Jet Trip Operations and Project Management has 2 main functions:
• Private Jet Project Management: Supporting the Director of Product Management (Private Jets) in the development of a new owned an operated NGE Private Jets business. Responsible for project planning, coordination, management and reporting in partnership with other business stakeholders (e.g. Trip Development, Marketing, Sales and Finance). Creates and maintains a master project plan. Analyzes processes, procedures and deliverables to ensure product quality, schedule, scope and budget are managed appropriately. Partners with internal and external project resources to ensure project tasks and milestones are completed on time, within budget and meet customer expectations.
• Private Jet Tour Operations: Leading, managing and holding accountable the Operations team which handles all trip logistics and the associated finances for the Owned and Operated Private Jet product. The Director is responsible for the profitability and operational excellence of the product as well as the associated finances which includes owning the budgets, reconciliations, and program re-costing.
Responsibilities:
• Leads the Private Jet Launch project.
Project Planning: Determines, defines, documents and manages project scope, milestones, timelines and project deliverables including project plans, scope statements and risks/issues lists. Resources tasks and budgets to ensure the project goals are communicated to all resources/team members/stakeholders and performed within time and budget constraints.
Reviews: Conducts timely and productive review meetings with launch team and business stakeholders; distributes agendas, communicates purpose, directs conversation to achieve goals within the time allotted, and provides subsequent meeting notes.
Analysis and Reporting: Analyzes and reports on project status; monitors and communicates project performance to maintain the quality of services, deliverables, and content.
Changes, Risks and Issues: Identifies, manages and appropriately escalates project changes, risks and issues. Develops contingency plans. Identifies and implements the approved actions and workarounds required to mitigate project risks in order to minimize impact on the project.
• Leads, manages and holds accountable the Private Jet Tour Operations department.
Budgets: Responsible for the profitability and operational excellence of the Private Jet tour portfolio. FY20: Revenue = $25M and EBITDA = $4.5M. FY21: Revenue = $54M and EBITDA $11.8M. Responsible for annual costing of all repeat programs in portfolio. Owns, reviews, and holds team accountable for correct and complete trip budgets used to price trips for maximize profit margins.
Supplier Agreements: Responsible for the execution of operational agreements with all global suppliers for recurring Private Jet Expeditions, as well as Statements of Work.
Supplier Coordination: Coordinates with local in-country operators regarding all bookings, logistics coordination, extra arrangements, special considerations, trip details, etc. Independently manages bookings for trip departures by monitoring room counts, release dates, attrition clauses and deposit and payment dates for each trip. Communicates clearly and accurately all trip logistics and needs via email, video conferencing and phone. Conducts briefing calls with operators and holds them accountable for implementation of on-the-ground logistics. Requests, negotiates and finalizes next-season operational agreements with each operator.
Customer Experience and Trip Documentation: Ensures that each departure meets or exceeds brand standards. Ensures all travelers receive the same pre-trip experience with all the relevant and needed information to best prepare them for their trips. Owner of Pre-Trip traveler documents, gifts and amenities. Maintains and enforces standards for traveler documents, mailing deadlines, education materials, and NGE branded gift items and amenities. Reduces traveler complaints, refunds, and on-trip issues.
Trip Staffing: Responsible for curating a staff of Expedition Leaders who can deliver seamless experiences for travelers. Interviews, contracts, and staffs Expedition Leaders for all Private Jet programs. Responsible for the creation, maintenance, and implementation of Expedition Leader standards for Private Jets. Helps hold Expedition Leaders accountable for their on-trip performance and provides coaching and feedback as needed.
Risk Management: Responsible for monitoring risk around the globe and partnering with Risk Management team to make decisions about Private Jet traveler safety and communication plans. Responsible for staffing of and training for after-hours emergency phone for Owned and Operated trips. Troubleshoot issues in real-time with staff; available 24-7 to deal with any emergency or crisis situation.
Team Management:
• Ensures that the Private Jet operations team is a well-run team that ensures brand standards are met or exceeded and profit is maximized.
• Maintains strict adherence to internal and program deadlines.
• Conducts weekly meetings with staff and ensures that they are on task, producing accurate work, meeting deadlines, and working toward goals. Counsels on difficult work situations.
• Determines departmental strategies and goals and oversees implementation, performance and completion.
• Develops and trains staff on procedures.
• Writes and delivers performance reviews for direct reports and recommend professional growth opportunities.
• Makes departmental hiring and termination decisions.
• Supports and enforces company systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Manages staff time-off requests to minimize impact on team operations.
Requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of 10 years related experience. Extensive international destination experience required. Experience managing direct reports with demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a team.
• Impeccable professional communication skills; foreign language skills a plus. Must be able to communicate complicated information in a clear and simple manner to people around the world for whom English is not their native language.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate problems, find creative solutions for challenging situation. Strong math skills; ability to create and maintain budgets.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office; strong Excel skills. A background using QuickBase or other databases or CRM software is a plus.
• Attention to detail is critical. Systematic organizational skills imperative.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.