Managing Director - Specialist Travel / Tour Operator

Tiro Partners Limited; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel company seeks a Managing Director to steer their niche tour operations. The role demands a dynamic leader passionate about premium travel experiences, with responsibilities spanning from team leadership to strategic market expansion. This is an opportunity to shape a recognized brand and enhance client satisfaction in the travel sector.

Benefits

Supportive environment for growth

Autonomy and strategic influence

Qualifications

• Proven senior leader with experience in service-led environments.
• Ability to manage high expectations for high-net-worth customers.
• Experience in strategic growth planning.

Responsibilities

• Drive business growth through new travel themes.
• Inspire and optimize a small dedicated team.
• Oversee operations, marketing, customer service, and finance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial Mindset

Financial Literacy

Trust Building

Job description

Managing Director - Specialist Travel / Tour Operator

Managing Director - Specialist Travel / Tour Operator

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Tiro Partners Limited provided pay range

This range is provided by Tiro Partners Limited. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Managing Director – Specialist Tour Operator

Are you a commercially driven, culturally curious leader with a passion for travel and customer experience?

We’re searching for an ambitious Managing Director to lead a well-established, niche tour operator offering premium, themed small-group tours to discerning global clientele. With strong foundations, a loyal customer base, and exciting growth opportunities on the horizon, this is an opportunity to shape the future of a business known for delivering high-quality, immersive travel experiences.

The Opportunity

As Managing Director, you will:

• Drive business growth through the development of new themes (e.g. art, music, geology) alongside established historical and cultural itineraries
• Explore bespoke travel opportunities and strengthen relationships with UK/US institutional partners
• Expand international markets and enhance client acquisition strategies
• Lead, inspire, and optimise a small but dedicated team
• Oversee operations, product, marketing, customer service, and finance functions
• Champion service quality, ensuring consistently high feedback from clients
• Introduce operational efficiencies and explore tech/AI tools to support scale

You’ll Be a Great Fit If You:

• Are a proven senior leader (Director, Managing Director, General Manager, Sales Manager (or similar) with SME or service-led experience
• Thrive in a hands-on environment and naturally build trust with your team
• Can manage high expectations and service delivery for high-net-worth customers (avg. trip value £3.5k+)
• Bring a commercial mindset and are confident building strategic growth plans from the ground up
• Have strong financial literacy (P&L, forecasting, budgeting)
• Are energised by building lasting customer relationships and expanding brand reach

Experience in the travel or education/cultural sector is desirable but not essential if you share the company's values and vision.

Why Join?

• Shape the future of a unique travel business with a premium customer base
• Opportunity to lead with autonomy, creativity, and strategic influence
• Supportive environment with scope for long-term personal and professional growth
• Hybrid working with regular access to a Basingstoke HQ

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management

• Industries

  Travel Arrangements

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Tiro Partners Limited by 2x

Get notified about new Managing Director jobs in Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom.

Woking, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Lightwater, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Reading, England, United Kingdom 3 hours ago

Knowl Hill, England, United Kingdom 13 hours ago

Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Bracknell, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Reading, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Bracknell, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Bracknell, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Bagshot, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Farnborough, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Farnborough, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Overton, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Sindlesham, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Overton, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Reading, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Farnborough, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom 21 hours ago

Farnborough, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

Woking, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Pirbright, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Product Manager MDS UKI - Advanced Access Devices & PIVC

Winnersh, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Guildford, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Regional Vice President, Strategic Accounts, EMEA

Reading, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Farnborough, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

Chief Executive Officer CEO, SURREY COALITION OF DISABLED PEOPLE

Guildford, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

Woking, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Camberley, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Winchester, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Reading, England, United Kingdom 15 hours ago

Deputy General Manager -Leisure Attraction

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.