Interim Manager, Expedition Team Scheduling

Travelopia; Toronto; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Quark Expeditions in Toronto is seeking a Manager of Expedition Team Scheduling to lead end-to-end Antarctic season planning and in-season adjustments for a diverse contractor workforce.

Reporting to the Director, Expedition Staffing, you will manage pre-season planning, active scheduling, and collaboration with Arctic scheduling, while ensuring safety, guest experience, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in workforce scheduling, crew planning, recruitment, or talent management.
• Experience with seasonal, remote, or contractor-based workforces.
• Familiarity with expedition cruise operations and relevant industry certification requirements.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Empathy for the realities of working in the field as an expedition team member.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional, timely communication with expedition team members on scheduling and changes.
• Monitor staffing requirements and adjust schedules to address vacancies, operational changes, and emerging needs.
• Analyse operational demands to support guest experience, safety, team effectiveness, and commercial objectives.
• Build relationships with Expedition Team members and key stakeholders through EL Summits and field presence where possible.
• Lead the Antarctic season scheduling process through all phases — pre-schedule planning, active scheduling, and in-season modifications.
• Maintain understanding of industry regulations, certification requirements, and operational standards to ensure compliance across staffing.
• Review sailing schedules and plan deployment blocks based on contract length, product needs, training opportunities, and gateways.
• Leverage feedback to inform staffing and scheduling decisions.
• Partner with recruitment and development teams to identify needs and lead selection activities.

Skills

Workforce scheduling

Crew planning

Recruitment

Talent management

Contractor workforce

Expedition cruise operations

Industry certification requirements

Microsoft 365

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Excel

SharePoint

Microsoft Copilot

Job description

Quark Expeditions is the leading polar expedition travel company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. We operate cruises to Antarctica and Arctic regions (Greenland, North Canada, Svalbard) on board of 3 modern polar expedition ships – Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer, and World Explorer. Since 1991, Quark has been establishing a tradition of firsts in polar travel: as the first to transit the Northeast Passage with adventure travellers; the first to take travellers to the far side of Antarctica; and the first to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent with guests. Quark Expeditions is part of Travelopia, the world's leading experiential travel business, owned by KKR.

We are looking to hire a Manager of Expedition Team Scheduling to join our team! Reporting to our Director, Expedition Staffing, you'll lead end-to-end Antarctic season scheduling — from pre-season planning through in-season adjustments — while supporting a diverse contractor workforce that includes guides, presenters, educators, expedition leaders, and field specialists. This is a unique opportunity to bring your passion for people and polar adventure together, shaping world-class expedition teams that deliver extraordinary guest experiences.

Please note: this is a fixed-term contract position for 18 months, covering for a parental leave.

What we'll offer:

• Competitive base salary (CAD $72,000 to $80,000)
• Generous paid time offand birthday day off
• Group-wide travel discounts

What you'll do:

• Maintain professional, timely, and effective communication with expedition team members on scheduling, assignments, and operational changes
• Monitor current and future staffing requirements, proactively adjusting schedules to address vacancies, operational changes, and emerging needs
• Analyse operational demands and make sound scheduling decisions that support guest experience, safety, team effectiveness, and commercial objectives
• Build and nurture strong working relationships with Expedition Team members and key stakeholders, including through EL Summits and field and gateway presence where possible
• Lead the Antarctic season scheduling process through all phases — pre-schedule planning, active scheduling, and in-season modifications — and support Arctic scheduling needs alongside the Co-Manager
• Maintain a thorough understanding of industry regulations, certification requirements, and operational standards to ensure compliance across all staffing assignments
• Review sailing schedules and plan deployment blocks based on contract length, product needs, training opportunities, and gateways
• Leverage performance feedback, end-of-season evaluations, Expedition Leader input, and operational insights to inform staffing and scheduling decisions
• Partner with the Manager, Expedition Team Scheduling, to identify recruitment needs, support workforce planning, and lead selection activities for expedition team positions
• Collaborate with the Manager, Expedition Team Development, to support onboarding, training, and the ongoing success of both new and experienced team members

What you'll bring:

• Proven experience in workforce scheduling, crew planning, recruitment, or talent management
• Proven experience working with seasonal, remote, or contractor-based workforces
• Familiarity with expedition cruise operations and relevant industry certification requirements
• A genuine understanding of and empathy for the realities of working in the field as an expedition team member
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, and Microsoft Copilot
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across a diverse, global contractor workforce
• Strong organisational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment

We believe people perform best when they can be their true selves and diverse teams drive better results. We're committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone can succeed.

Travelopia ensures an inclusive workplace for all. If you need accessibility support during the recruitment process, please inform us here: [e-mail]

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