International Sports Travel & Operations Director
The Role
This is a strategic and operational position combining international travel management, supplier negotiations, customer experience, digital marketing and sports event delivery.
The successful candidate will be responsible for creating, managing and growing international sports travel programmes while ensuring exceptional customer experiences from initial enquiry through to trip completion.
Key Responsibilities
Sports Travel Product Development
- Design and launch international sports travel experiences and training camps.
- Develop relationships with hotels, sports facilities, airlines and local partners worldwide.
- Create travel itineraries, event schedules and participant programmes.
- Conduct destination research and feasibility assessments.
International Operations & Logistics
- Coordinate complex international travel arrangements for groups and individuals.
- Manage supplier contracts and service-level agreements.
- Oversee risk assessments, participant communications and operational delivery.
- Support customers before, during and after travel.
Commercial & Business Development
- Identify new sports tourism opportunities and markets.
- Develop partnerships with sporting organisations, clubs and governing bodies.
- Prepare commercial proposals and pricing models.
- Support sales and customer acquisition activities.
Digital Marketing & Customer Experience
- Manage online campaigns and social media content.
- Produce destination guides and travel content.
- Maintain CRM and customer engagement platforms.
- Analyse customer feedback and drive continuous improvement.
Essential Requirements
- Minimum 3 years' experience in international travel, tourism, destination management or sports event operations.
- Experience coordinating international travel programmes involving multiple suppliers and stakeholders.
- Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
- Experience using digital booking systems, CRM platforms and Microsoft Office.
- Excellent written and verbal English.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Highly Desirable
- Fluency in one or more of the following languages: Spanish, French, Ukrainian, Russian and English.
- Experience working with international sports organisations or travel operators.
- Knowledge of European tourism markets.
- Experience organising group travel, training camps or sporting events.
- Experience working with refugees, international communities or multicultural customer groups.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to build and lead a new business division from the ground up.
- International travel opportunities.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Professional development and industry training.
- Performance-related bonus structure.
- Career progression into a senior leadership role.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a self motivated and highly organised professional with a background in international travel operations who can combine commercial thinking, customer service excellence and operational delivery.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about sport, travel and creating exceptional experiences for customers worldwide.
Pay: €34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free or subsidised travel
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Waterford, County Waterford
