Commercial Partnerships and Operations Manager - UK-China Travel Programmes

Mandarin Recruitment Ltd; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment service for Mandarin-speaking professionals in the UK seeks a Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager to lead UK-China travel programmes. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in travel or hospitality, fluency in Mandarin and English, and skills in managing cross-border teams. Responsibilities include developing itineraries, overseeing logistics, and driving business development initiatives. The role involves significant travel and offers the chance to make a sustainable educational impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in travel and/or hospitality.
• Experience in leading cross-border teams.
• Legal ability to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of UK-China travel programmes ensuring operational efficiency.
• Develop culturally rich itineraries for exchanges.
• Manage logistics for travel, visas, accommodation.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely execution.
• Negotiate contracts to ensure quality and profitability.

Skills

Fluent in Mandarin and English

Strong knowledge of the China market

People management experience

Business development experience

Organizational and time-management skills

Skilled in contract negotiation

Intercultural awareness

Confident with Microsoft 365 tools

Tools

Microsoft 365

HubSpot

Zoom

Monday.com

Xero

WeChat

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager role in a UK-based education management company. The organisation brings together a global community of schools committed to delivering transformative international education. Through a blend of online collaboration and immersive experiences, such as study tours, teacher delegations, student exchanges, and leadership summits. They are seeking a bilingual Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager to lead UK-China travel programmes, combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. The role involves managing cross-border teams, overseeing international operations, and driving sustainable educational impact through student exchanges and leadership visits.

Job Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in high-pressure operational and administrative roles in travel and / or hospitality industries.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and spoken).
• Strong knowledge of the China market, including education, travel, and regulatory environments.
• Significant experience in travel, education, or international programme operations.
• Proven track record in people management, with experience leading cross-border or remote teams.
• Strong business development and stakeholder engagement experience.
• Skilled in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Confident using tools like Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Zoom, Monday.com, Xero, and WeChat.
• Intercultural awareness and the ability to navigate cultural sensitivities with professionalism.
• Legally able to work full-time in the UK (minimum 2 years remaining on visa if applicable).
• Willingness to travel between the UK and China.
• Able to pass an enhanced DBS check.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of UK-China travel programmes, ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Develop and manage culturally rich itineraries for student exchanges, teacher delegations, and leadership visits.
• Oversee all logistics including travel, visas, accommodation, transport, and hosting arrangements.
• Prioritise safety, educational value, and cultural relevance across all programmes.
• Collaborate with DMCs and suppliers to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective execution.
• Provide strategic direction for travel operations across UK and China.
• Establish and uphold standards, timelines, and budget controls for programme delivery.
• Manage the full sales-to-delivery lifecycle with clear accountability and scalable processes.
• Identify and onboard new partner schools, institutions, DMCs, and suppliers in both regions.
• Represent GSA to potential clients and partners, promoting travel services and organisational values.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial terms to ensure quality and profitability.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of leads through outreach, events, and digital engagement.
• Align business development with marketing and operational planning.
• Manage the Chinese operations team and support UK-based staff.
• Provide structured performance management, mentoring, and feedback.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration for seamless programme execution.
• Cultivate relationships with schools, government bodies, education authorities, and travel partners.
• Serve as GSA’s main liaison with Chinese education organisations via platforms like WeChat.
• Support long-term partnerships between UK and Chinese educational institutions.
• Ensure cultural sensitivity and regulatory compliance in both countries.
• Maintain accurate documentation including itineraries, contracts, reports, and risk assessments.
• Utilise digital tools (e.g., HubSpot, Monday.com, Microsoft 365) for workflow and reporting.
• Coordinate virtual meetings, group communications, and programme updates.
• Lead post-trip reviews and drive continuous improvement based on feedback and KPIs.

About Us

Mandarin Recruitment is a service that helps UK and China businesses & organisations find and source high-quality Mandarin-speaking professionals. We have unparalleled and exclusive channels to the Chinese speaking market, allowing us to be the leading organisation for specialist Mandarin recruitment.