Market Experts - Fall 2026

Backroads•Salt Lake, UT

13h

About The Position

The Market Expert (ME) is a Trip Development role that guides and supports a market’s Trip Experts (TEs). The ME is an existing Trip Expert with broad knowledge of the market and the Backroads systems used by TEs. During the market’s season, the ME spends most of the season in-market, provides hands-on training and support to TEs, and helps with systems updates, research, supplier meetings, presearch, first departures, peak weeks, and PSUs. The ME provides real-time systems guidance and helps ensure TE deliverables are complete and meet gold standards. The role may include leading trips during the market’s operating season, depending on market needs; trip leads are focused on less busy times and September peak. Non-leading workload during the season is variable, based on minimum requirements per nationality, and may be up to 40 hours per week. Outside the market’s season, the ME is available through the winter on a more flexible hourly basis, in or out of market, for TE-related work such as answering sales questions, updating Ascent and other market materials, audits, and other projects. Workload during these periods is variable and based on minimum requirements per nationality, and MEs may be fully available to lead trips. The role may also assist with Trip Development projects outside the market when time allows.

Requirements

At least 2 years of Trip Expert experience in the applicable market.
Strong interpersonal skills, including proven feedback skills through FTR feedback on trips and co-leaders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Extensive trip-leading experience in the applicable market and understanding of Backroads’ service ethic.
Expertise in Ascent, Ride with GPS, and other systems used by TEs.
Strong understanding of the TE Program and Backroads’ gold standards for TE deliverables.
Ability to manage projects and follow through on project-related deliverables.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Word.
Willingness and ability to spend most of the season in-market.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Leadership Development as a mentor.
New Trip Researcher experience.
Understanding of the local language.

Responsibilities

Support all Trip Experts in the market and serve as a point of contact for systems questions.
Complete time-sensitive Trip Expert responsibilities when TEs are unavailable.
Conduct research and supplier meetings in coordination with RLs and TEs.
Serve as an additional knowledge expert for the market and its itineraries.
Provide field-based support for trip issues and crisis management, working closely with the RL and RD.
Provide market knowledge to the Trip Development team and office staff about sales information, marketing content, activity levels, scheduling parameters, and trip overlap within the market.
Provide onboarding support and hands-on training for all TEs in the market.
Hold post-training check-ins with new TEs, including a one-to-one meeting with the RL after online training, discussing questions, practicing in Ascent and Ride with GPS, and referring unresolved questions to the RL.
Provide in-field support and training during TE deliverables, including presearch, QA, and PSUs.
Regularly review and update Ascent and other market materials to ensure TE deliverables are complete and accurate before passing them to the RL for review.
Assist with off-season audits and trip questions.
Assist with Trip Development projects unrelated to the market as time allows.
When needed, co-host segment sales seminars with RLs and RDs to provide Trip Consultants with accurate information about trips.
Review new trips, revised trips, and capacity adjustments for overlap in meet/depart schedules, activities, meals, and other services.
Review private trip requests and provide recommendations to the RL for approval.
May lead trips during the market’s operating season and may be fully available to lead trips outside the season.