Travel Operations Manager

Adept Global; Mumbai; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Adept Global is seeking a Senior Manager – Travel Operations & Business to establish and scale our travel ops from Nariman Point, Mumbai. You will build processes, recruit and lead a team, and drive supplier partnerships to grow corporate, retail, and leisure travel.

The role requires 15–20 years in travel, strong GDS experience (Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre), and a proven ability to own a business with solid commercial sense.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of experience in travel and tourism
• Experience setting up or independently managing a travel agency or travel business
• Strong knowledge of domestic and international travel operations
• Proficiency with major GDS platforms (Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre)
• Deep understanding of airline ticketing, visas, hotels, and travel packages
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and relationship management skills

Responsibilities

• Establish operational processes, workflows, and SOPs.
• Set up the travel agency from inception to full-scale operations.
• Identify growth opportunities across retail, corporate, and leisure travel segments.
• Develop business plans and revenue strategies.
• Ensure compliance with travel industry regulations.
• Oversee day-to-day travel operations and bookings.
• Manage corporate accounts and supplier relationships.
• Lead and mentor the travel operations team.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and resolve escalations.
• Monitor budgets, pricing, margins, and profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Relationship management

Communication

Problem-solving

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related field

IATA certification or equivalent

Tools

Amadeus

Galileo

Sabre

Job description

Designation: Senior Manager – Travel Operations & Business

Location: Nariman Point

Experience: 15–20 Years

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Us

Our client is a newly launched travel services company backed by the legacy and trust of an international Perfume brand. We aim to provide comprehensive travel solutions for individuals, families, corporate clients, and groups, with a strong focus on exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and long-term relationships. As we build the business from the ground up, we are looking for an experienced travel professional who can establish, lead, and scale the entire operation.

Role Overview

The Senior Manager – Travel Operations & Business will be responsible for setting up, managing, and growing all aspects of our client This is an entrepreneurial leadership role requiring someone who has successfully managed travel operations, built teams, developed supplier relationships, and driven business growth. The ideal candidate should be capable of independently running the business with complete ownership and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Business Setup & Strategy

• Establish operational processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Set up the travel agency from inception to full-scale operations.
• Identify growth opportunities across retail, corporate, and leisure travel segments.
• Develop business plans and revenue strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable travel industry regulations.

Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day travel operations.
• Manage domestic and international flight bookings.
• Handle hotel reservations, holiday packages, visas, travel insurance, forex coordination, cruises, and other travel-related services.
• Ensure smooth execution of customer itineraries and resolve operational issues promptly.
• Maintain high service quality and customer satisfaction.

Business Development

• Acquire and manage corporate accounts.
• Build relationships with airlines, hotels, DMCs, consolidators, visa partners, tourism boards, and other travel suppliers.
• Identify new revenue streams and strategic partnerships.
• Drive sales growth while maintaining profitability.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, mentor, and manage the travel operations team.
• Build a customer-centric, performance-driven culture.
• Establish KPIs and performance monitoring systems.

Customer Experience

• Deliver exceptional customer service across all touchpoints.
• Handle VIP clients and complex travel requirements.
• Manage escalations and ensure timely resolution of customer concerns.

Financial Management

• Manage budgets, pricing, margins, and profitability.
• Monitor operational costs and vendor negotiations.
• Ensure accurate invoicing, reconciliation, and reporting.

Technology & Systems

• Implement and optimize travel booking systems and CRM tools.
• Drive operational efficiency through automation and technology adoption.
• Ensure accurate reporting and MIS for management.

Desired Candidate Profile

• 15–20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry.
• Proven experience in setting up or independently managing a travel agency or travel business.
• Strong knowledge of domestic and international travel operations.
• Experience with GDS platforms such as Amadeus, Galileo, or Sabre.
• Deep understanding of airline ticketing, visas, hotels, holiday packages, travel insurance, and corporate travel.
• Strong supplier and vendor network within the travel ecosystem.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Commercially driven with strong business acumen.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-growing entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field.
• IATA certification or equivalent travel industry certifications will be an added advantage.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a leader who thinks like a business owner rather than just an operations manager—someone who can build systems, create processes, develop business, lead teams, and establish our client as a trusted travel brand. If you enjoy building businesses from the ground up and are passionate about delivering outstanding travel experiences, we'd love to hear from you.