Production Specialist – Central & Eastern Europe & London - EF Ultimate Break

at  EF Ultimate Break

Production Specialist – Central & Eastern Europe & London - EF Ultimate Break, Operations Department, Zurich, Switzerland
Product
At EF World Journeys, we believe that the best way to learn about the world is to experience it, and we strive to help as many people as possible share that experience. EF Go Ahead Tours and EF Ultimate Break are divisions of EF World Journeys and we make world travel easy. We want to empower travelers of all ages to get out there and experience something new on our guided tours. If you share this passion for opening the world, come work with us!
As the Production Specialist with EF Ultimate Break, you are responsible for planning the finer tour details to provide a smooth and enjoyable tour experience. To do this, you will acquire all components as specified below and manage their timing, flow, budget, and quality. You will also be responsible for communication with these suppliers and working with our Tour Directors to execute your vision.

Core responsibilities

• Expertise: Build and maintain local knowledge, competition awareness, and travel industry insights
• Supplier relationship management: Maintain a positive and constructive relationship with existing and potential suppliers to provide an exceptional and authentic customer experience
• Source, contract, & book: Identify, acquire, and allocate all services and suppliers for relevant components (see component responsibilities)
• Product Development: Actively partner with our Product Development Team by identifying market opportunities, contributing to overarching product strategy, and maintaining & improving current portfolio
• Tour Director relationship management: Tour preparation and support, Tour Director community engagement and consultation, and ongoing incorporation of Tour Director feedback
• Overall Customer Experience: Production planning, ensure seamless tour flow and consistency, execute custom itineraries, and liaise interdepartmentally to manage expectations and fulfill customer requests
• Quality analysis: Rigorous and constant analysis of, and response to, quality results
• Administrative: Ensure all contracts, bookings, invoices, and supplier communications are well-managed and that all safety and budget guidelines are adhered to
• Processes and documentation: create and keep updated all relevant documentation

Component responsibilities

• Meals
• Guides
• Entrance fees
• Excursions & experiential activities
• Special events

Key attributes

• Relationship management: You’re supportive, empathic, connected, and well-networked
• Reactive: You can balance workload, manage urgency, and you can easily pivot between tasks. With strong communication and problem-solving skills, you face new challenges productively and collaboratively
• Execution: You’re organized, you plan, and you manage your time to stay on-track
• Customer Experience: Your creativity promotes the development of itineraries and your eye for details helps you manage tour flow and consistency
• Negotiation skills: You’re able to leverage your network and use the tools at your disposal to provide the best services for your product at low rates
• Willingness to travel: You’re prepared to spend time on the road learning your market and cultivating relationships

Qualifications

• Fluent in English is a must.
• Having proficiency in multiple European Languages is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Experience in travel, tourism, educational travel or online travel agency industry is preferred
• Strong interest and network in the European tourism industry
• Passion for travel
• Strategic mindset whilst actively engaged to run day-to-day sourcing priorities
• Solution oriented, open-minded and driven
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong communication, social skills and cultural awareness
• To be considered for this role, applicants must either be Swiss citizens, EU-nationals or have the legal right to live and work in Switzerland.

Location
Zürich, Switzerland
Start date
October 1st, 2024
Application
Please submit your CV & Cover Letter in English online. We will screen applications on a rolling basis.
Why You Will Love Working with Us
At EF, people make things happen. We empower you to take full ownership of your work, regardless of your experience level. Many of our team members describe EF as the world’s largest startup, thanks to our boundless entrepreneurial spirit that’s embedded in our organization’s DNA.

What We Offer:

• Discounted Passes: Enjoy reduced rates at local attractions and tourist hotspots, including Mt. Rigi and Kunsthaus Zurich.
• Travel Perks: We fully reimburse the SBB ‘halb-tax’ travel card, giving you affordable access to public transportation across Switzerland.
• Wellness: Take advantage of free membership at our newly built gym or join one of our various sports teams.
• Social Events: Participate in seasonal and monthly office events that bring our team together.
• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from special deals at local restaurants, shops, hotel stays, and on EF products.
• Childcare Support: Receive a 15% discount on our in-house childcare services.

EF World Journeys is a subsidiary of EF Education First
About EF Education First
At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.
When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, ability, parental status, experience and everything else that makes you unique.
Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://ef.co

Core responsibilities

• Expertise: Build and maintain local knowledge, competition awareness, and travel industry insights
• Supplier relationship management: Maintain a positive and constructive relationship with existing and potential suppliers to provide an exceptional and authentic customer experience
• Source, contract, & book: Identify, acquire, and allocate all services and suppliers for relevant components (see component responsibilities)
• Product Development: Actively partner with our Product Development Team by identifying market opportunities, contributing to overarching product strategy, and maintaining & improving current portfolio
• Tour Director relationship management: Tour preparation and support, Tour Director community engagement and consultation, and ongoing incorporation of Tour Director feedback
• Overall Customer Experience: Production planning, ensure seamless tour flow and consistency, execute custom itineraries, and liaise interdepartmentally to manage expectations and fulfill customer requests
• Quality analysis: Rigorous and constant analysis of, and response to, quality results
• Administrative: Ensure all contracts, bookings, invoices, and supplier communications are well-managed and that all safety and budget guidelines are adhered to
• Processes and documentation: create and keep updated all relevant documentatio

Component responsibilities

• Meals
• Guides
• Entrance fees
• Excursions & experiential activities
• Special event