Operations Trainee

EF Education First Ltd.; Zürich; On-site; CHF 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

EF Education First Ltd. in Zurich, Switzerland, is seeking an energetic Operations Trainee to join our team for 6-9 months, based at our headquarters.

You will gain hands-on experience within global Operations, supporting tour planning, delivery, procurement and customer support across multiple teams. You will collaborate with Operations and EF teams to ensure accurate information, proactive problem solving and a high-quality customer experience.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English, written and verbal; additional languages are an advantage.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Service-minded, with a genuine desire to create a great experience for our customers.
• Proactive, flexible and solution-oriented.
• Curious and eager to learn, with the confidence to ask questions and contribute ideas.
• Quick learner and practical problem-solver.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to remain calm and professional when circumstances change or challenges arise.
• Collaborative team player who enjoys working with people from different teams, cultures and backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Operational support – support the day-to-day activities required to plan, prepare and successfully deliver our tours.
• Tour coordination – assist with bookings, reservations, allocations, tour changes and other operational processes depending on the needs of your team.
• On-tour support – help resolve operational questions and challenges that arise while our customers are travelling, escalating issues when appropriate.
• Stakeholder collaboration – work closely with colleagues across Operations and other EF teams to ensure information is shared accurately and our customers receive a consistent experience.
• Supplier coordination – communicate and collaborate with external suppliers and partners to support tour logistics, quality, cost-effectiveness and service delivery.
• Problem-solving and ownership – take responsibility for your work, respond proactively when something needs attention, and help find practical solutions to operational challenges.
• Data, systems and administration – work with data, systems and operational records to maintain accurate information and support effective decision-making and processes.
• Continuous improvement – stay curious and contribute ideas and fresh perspectives to help improve our processes, tools and customer experience.

Skills

Fluent English

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Service-minded

Proactive

Curious learner

Quick learner

Multitasking

Calm under pressure

Team player

Ownership

Interest in travel

Job description

Job type: Full-time, Temporary

Duration: 6-9 months

Location: Zurich, Switzerland – 100% office-based

Start dates: Between November 15, 2026 and February 1, 2027, depending on team placement

Job overview

We are looking for an energetic, detail-oriented and proactive individual to join our Operations team in Switzerland.

As an Operations Trainee, you will gain hands-on experience within our global Operations organization and contribute to the successful planning and delivery of our tours.

We are recruiting for several trainee opportunities across our Operations teams, with roles spanning different areas of tour planning, delivery, procurement and customer support. Depending on your team placement, you will work closely with colleagues across Operations, internal stakeholders and external suppliers, while being based at our headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

You’ll be encouraged to take ownership from the start, stay curious, collaborate with others, and pay attention to the details that help us create a beautiful experience for our customers.

Key responsibilities

• Operational support – support the day-to-day activities required to plan, prepare and successfully deliver our tours.
• Tour coordination – assist with bookings, reservations, allocations, tour changes and other operational processes depending on the needs of your team.
• On-tour support – help resolve operational questions and challenges that arise while our customers are travelling, escalating issues when appropriate.
• Stakeholder collaboration – work closely with colleagues across Operations and other EF teams to ensure information is shared accurately and our customers receive a consistent experience.
• Supplier coordination – communicate and collaborate with external suppliers and partners to support tour logistics, quality, cost-effectiveness and service delivery.
• Problem-solving and ownership – take responsibility for your work, respond proactively when something needs attention, and help find practical solutions to operational challenges.
• Data, systems and administration – work with data, systems and operational records to maintain accurate information and support effective decision-making and processes.
• Continuous improvement – stay curious and contribute ideas and fresh perspectives to help improve our processes, tools and customer experience.

Main objectives for this role

• Provide reliable and effective support to your team and contribute to the successful delivery of our tours.
• Develop a strong understanding of EF Educational Tours and how our Operations teams work together.
• Put the customer first by delivering accurate, thoughtful and service-minded support.
• Communicate clearly, professionally and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Take ownership of your responsibilities and demonstrate initiative when solving problems.
• Bring curiosity, energy and a collaborative approach to your work.

Skills & Experience

• Fluent in English, both written and verbal; additional languages are an advantage.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills .
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Service-minded, with a genuine desire to create a great experience for our customers.
• Proactive, flexible and solution-oriented .
• Curious and eager to learn, with the confidence to ask questions and contribute ideas.
• Quick learner and practical problem-solver.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to remain calm and professional when circumstances change or challenges arise.
• Collaborative team player who enjoys working with people from different teams, cultures and backgrounds.
• Accountable and willing to take ownership of your work.
• An interest in travel, international business and/or operations.

Other requirements

To be considered for this role, applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Switzerland.

Recruitment Process

We are recruiting for multiple trainee opportunities across our Operations teams through one coordinated recruitment process.

Our selection process will include an initial phone screening, followed by an in-person interview for shortlisted candidates.

Throughout the process, we’ll aim to match candidates with opportunities that best align with their skills, interests and the needs of our teams.

Successful candidates will join us on different start dates between November 15, 2026 and February 1, 2027, depending on their team placement.

Why you will love working with us

At EF, our culture is built around three Core Beliefs: we put customers first, we take ownership, and we make it fun.

That means caring about the experience we create for our customers, taking responsibility and looking for ways to make things better, and bringing curiosity, collaboration and passion to the way we work.

As an Operations Trainee, you’ll be trusted to contribute from the start while learning from colleagues across our international organization. You’ll gain practical experience in how a global travel business operates, build your professional network, and have plenty of opportunities to learn, ask questions and develop along the way.

— Published by EF Education First.