Sustainable Travel & Tourism

Position: Trip Planning Manager
Organization: Trufflepig Travel
Location: Based in our Toronto office, or working remotely

What is Trufflepig?

Trufflepig is a trip-planning company founded in 2004 in Toronto. We specialize in designing and executing complex, imaginative, and highly customized travel experiences worldwide for clients who seek high-quality, culturally immersive travel. Known for our depth of planning expertise, attention to detail, and highly personal customer service, we operate globally with a second office in France and various remote offices, employing 40+ full-time staff working collaboratively across these locations.

Our team includes destination specialists who make up our Planning team, an Operations team, a Client Engagement & Loyalty team, a Finance team, a Management team overseeing and managing the day-to-day, and the Leadership team overseeing the entire business.

What does the Planning Manager role entail?

There will be two people in the Planning Manager role, which is a new role in our organisation, working in tandem alongside each other to manage the Planning team which is made up of 18 Trip Planners who are destination specialists. The Trip Planners are responsible on each trip for: trip design; client relationships; trip profitability; adherence to Trufflepig’s processes; collaboration with the Operations, Engagement and Finance teams. The Planning Managers are responsible for providing support to the Trip Planners as they carry out their duties, and are accountable for the Trip Planning team's adherence to established best practices and overall performance.

The Trip Planners are also responsible for undertaking research trips to maintain the high levels of destination expertise for which Trufflepig is known. The Planning Managers are accountable for the management of the research programme: scheduling, planning, and deliverables.

The Planning Managers are included in the Management group whose remit is to oversee current business activities according to budget, plan and targets; to contribute to strategic forward planning; to develop and improve Trufflepig’s processes; and to support each other in managing business activities and handling exceptions across departments. The Planning Manager specifically represents the needs and perspective of the Planning Team within the Management group. The Planning Managers are also involved in the distribution of new trip requests to the planning team, in collaboration with the Trip Planners and Coordinators, Operations Manager and Engagement Manager.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills, enabling you to manage, support and coach the Planning Team, and to engage with clients in the event of customer service problems. A team-building and team-leading approach to the role is essential for its success. It is not a trip design role, but the ability to understand the difficulties and challenges of the Trip Planning team is essential.

Core Responsibilities:

• Manage the Planning team, providing support and accountability
• Handle customer service problems on trips
• Represent the Planning Team at the Management level and contribute to Trufflepig Trip Planning and Research strategy
• Manage the Research programme
• Training of new and existing Planning team members
• Sign off on vacation and sick leave for Planning team members
• Job posting, interviewing and onboarding of new Planning team members

The Ideal Candidate for this Role:

• Has experience in a managerial or supervisory role
• Has experience in the travel industry, or in a high-level customer-service industry
• Has a demonstrated ability to motivate, coach, and develop team members with a focus on high performance and morale
• Has a strong understanding of process management with experience in monitoring and optimizing workflows to enhance efficiency and consistency
• Has keen attention to detail, with a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in both team and client interactions.
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex ideas clearly and establish trust with Trufflepig team members and clients alike.
• Is skilled at conducting performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback, assisting in on-going training, and supporting professional development,.
• Embraces Trufflepig’s unique company culture and values, including an appreciation for collaborative work and creativity in problem-solving.

Details

There is no minimum education level required; this position is open to candidates of all ages. Previous work experience in travel may be considered a bonus but is not strictly required.

• Based in our Toronto office, or working remotely.
• Reporting to the company Managing Directors
• Salary range $80-90K CAD per annum dependent on professional experience
• 4 weeks paid vacation
• Start date February 2025

How should you apply?

• Please do NOT email us your resumé. We will not accept applications received by email.
• Please use the following link to submit your application: https://forms.gle/aPX1hnkdL3r8XBat7
• This form enables us to perform ‘blind’ reviews of applications in round 1.
• Successful applicants will be asked to submit a resumé and invited for interview.

Please mention you saw this posting at GoodWork.ca.

Trufflepig Employment Statement

• Trufflepig operates an anonymous first round for job applications. Please see below for details on how to apply.
• Trufflepig is a certified B-Corporation.
• Trufflepig is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Please refer to our Mission (https://trufflepig.com/hoofprint/#missionofthepig) and to our Values & Code of Ethics (https://trufflepig.com/mission-values-ethics/)