Mandarin speaking Job-Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager – UK-China Travel Programmes[...]

First People Recruitment; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency specializing in travel programs is seeking a Mandarin speaking Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager. This role involves overseeing UK-China travel programmes, ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Candidates should be fluent in Mandarin and English, with management experience in international education. The position offers a salary of up to £55k and hybrid working options after probation.

Qualifications

• Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and verbal).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in operational roles in travel or hospitality.
• Strong knowledge of the China market and regulatory environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee UK-China travel programmes ensuring operational excellence.
• Design high-quality, culturally immersive itineraries.
• Coordinate all logistics including travel, visas, and accommodations.

Skills

Fluent in Mandarin and English

Management experience in international education

Business development experience

Intercultural awareness

Strong stakeholder engagement

Tools

Microsoft 365

HubSpot

Zoom

Monday.com

Xero

WeChat

Job description

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Your New Job Title: Mandarin speaking Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager – UK-China Travel Programmes (sponsorship available)

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The Skills You'll Need:Mandarin and English fluent, management experience in international education or cultural exchange programmes

Your New Salary:Up to £55k (Negotiable depending on the experience)

Permanent

Office based initially, with Flexible hybrid working opportunities once passed probation.

Start:ASAP

Reports to:Chief Operations Officer

Working hours: 8:30am-5:00pm (with 1 hour lunch break)

Location:Liverpool

To be successful in this role our client has said it is essential that candidates:

• are fluent in both Mandarin and English
• have management experience in international education or cultural exchange programmes
• are happy to travel between the UK and China frequently
• have solid business development experiences within travel and / or hospitality industries

If that means this job isn’t a match for you please view our other vacancies for one that may be a better fit.

What You'll be Doing:

• Oversee the delivery of all UK-China travel programmes, ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Design and manage high-quality, culturally immersive itineraries for student exchanges, teacher delegations, and leadership visits.
• Coordinate all logistics including travel, visas, accommodation, in-country transport, and hosting arrangements.
• Liaise with DMCs and suppliers to ensure accurate, timely, and budget-conscious delivery.
• Provide strategic leadership to the travel operations function across the UK and China.
• Monitor the full sales-to-delivery lifecycle, ensuring smooth transitions, clear accountability, and scalable processes.
• Identify and onboard new partner schools, DMCs, education institutions, and suppliers across the UK and China.
• Negotiate commercial terms, contracts, and supplier agreements to secure quality and profitability.
• Build and manage trusted relationships with schools, government bodies, education authorities, and travel partners.
• Ensure cultural sensitivity and compliance with regulatory frameworks in both countries.
• Organise online events, group communications, virtual meetings, and delivery updates.
• Lead post-trip reviews and ensure continual service improvements based on feedback and KPIs.

The Skills You'll Need to Succeed:

• Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and verbal).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in high-pressure operational and administrative roles in travel and / or hospitality industries.
• 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.
• Confident using tools like Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Zoom, Monday,com, Xero, and WeChat.
• Intercultural awareness and the ability to navigate cultural sensitivities with professionalism.
• Willingness to travel between the UK and China.
• Able to pass an enhanced DBS check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in international education or cultural exchange programmes.
• Knowledge of Chinese and UK safeguarding, travel risk, and compliance standards.
• Experience working with Chinese educational institutions or government bodies.

Please follow us on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/people-first-team-china

We would be grateful if you could send your CV as a Word document. If your application is successful, you will be contacted within 7 days. We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive we cannot provide feedback on individual CVs. Please note that we can only consider candidates who are eligible to work in the UK and are able to provide relevant supporting documentation.

People First is committed to increasing diversity, and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability.

People First (Recruitment) Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent and fixed term contract recruitment and as an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. Please note that by applying for this job you accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy which can be found on our website.

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