Field Manager

Backroads • Berkeley, CA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Field Manager (FM) is a Trip Development role supporting Africa and the Pacific. In addition to classic Regional Field Lead responsibilities, the FM oversees trip quality and regional operations and mentors, hires, and trains national guides, drivers, and support staff, with an emphasis on ground-operator partnerships. The FM supports Regional Directors with costs, contracts, crisis management, scheduling, private trips, and new-trip development, and works closely with Regional Directors, Trip Experts, and Field Logistics Operations. The role is a vital link between the office and the field and collaborates across departments, particularly Trip Development, Operations, and Leadership Development.

The position is salaried, full-time, and year-round. The usual location is Backroads’ Berkeley headquarters, with four days in the office and Wednesdays working from home. Another assigned region or remote location may be considered for highly qualified candidates or business needs. Training is in Berkeley, California. The role covers Africa and the Pacific, with specific markets including Morocco, Egypt, African Safaris, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and potentially a trip in the ‘Stans. Markets may change according to business needs, volume, and candidate experience. The position is open to all nationalities, subject to the ability to secure a visa unless the candidate already has appropriate work authorization.

Requirements

• Experience in Trip Development or prior Trip Expert, Regional Expert, or Regional Lead experience.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated feedback skills through FTR feedback on trips and work with co-leaders.
• Ability to multitask and manage many 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.
• Understanding of Trip Expert programs.
• Understanding of how the office, field, and guest experience connect, and how to ensure quality at each step.
• Flexible availability, including evenings and possible weekends, to collaborate with Asia-based teams and partners.
• Appropriate work authorization or the ability to secure a visa.

Nice To Haves

• Trip Expert experience in LAAPA, especially Africa and/or the Pacific.
• Extensive trip-leading experience in Africa and/or the Pacific.
• Experience as a mentor in Leadership Development.
• Analytical skills.
• Experience working with Destination Management Companies and ground operators.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Trip Experts in critical quality decisions, timely system updates, and delivery of Trip Development materials for guests and leaders.
• Mentor Trip Experts, national and local guides, and ground-operator partners; provide performance feedback and mentoring.
• Serve as a communication link between the field and office, relaying relevant company and departmental communications to field staff and field experts.
• Recruit, review applications, and make hiring recommendations for Field Experts.
• Provide real-time crisis management for on-trip issues, including support for the weekend on-call team.
• Identify opportunities to add trips and improve the quality of existing trips.
• Assist with design, development, and desk research for new trips.
• Support Backroads’ cost management and pricing process.
• Build and improve relationships with hotels, ground operators, and airlines in partnership with the Regional Director.
• Provide guidance to the Scheduling Team on Field Expert schedules.
• Hire, train, and, where necessary, terminate national guides and local support staff.
• Partner with local ground operators and teams to create seamless trip support.
• Review ground-operating contracts with the Regional Director to ensure they reflect trip needs and that costs are accurate in Ascent.
• Partner with Data Quality to ensure cost accuracy for complicated ground operators.
• Work with local ground operators on national guide and driver schedules to use vehicles efficiently and ensure high-quality guides on trips.
• Conduct multiple field visits each year as business needs require and as agreed with the Regional Director.

Benefits

• Eligible to join group medical, dental, and vision plans, depending on location; benefits may vary.
• Eligible for Trip Credit.
• Backroads covers vehicle, accommodation, and some food costs for business-related field visits or work travel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed