Field Manager - Expedition and Tour Operations

Outpost X; El Nido; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 820,000; Full time

Job summary

Castaway Tours & Expeditions in Palawan seeks a Field Manager - Expeditions & Tour Operations to lead field teams and oversee expedition execution. You will be the eyes, ears, and arm in the field, ensuring safety, high energy guest experiences, and adherence to Castaway standards.

You will spend significant time in the field, on boats, and at base camps, coordinating with basecamp caretakers and the Field Supervisor to uphold operational excellence across itineraries.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational or field-based teams.
• Experience supervising tour guides, boat crews, or activity teams is preferred.
• Strong leadership presence and ability to enforce standards.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong understanding of guest service and hospitality.
• Ability to remain calm and take command during emergencies or operational problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Tour Guides and Boat Crew.
• Set clear expectations for performance, discipline, safety, and guest service.
• Conduct regular team briefings and performance discussions.
• Hold team members accountable to company standards and SOPs.
• Work closely with the Field Supervisor on day-to-day field execution.
• Regularly join and boat-hop between expeditions to observe operations.

Skills

Field leadership

Team management

Safety compliance

Guest service

Emergency response

Job description

About Castaway

At Castaway Tours & Expeditions, we run multi-day island expeditions across the waters of Palawan. Our guests come for more than an island-hopping trip—they come for adventure, connection, great hospitality, and an unforgettable experience.

We're looking for a Field Manager - Expeditions & Tour Operations who will be the Operations Manager's eyes, ears, and arm in the field and at sea.

This is not a desk job.

You will be expected to get on the boats, move between expeditions, visit basecamps, observe the operation firsthand, and make sure our teams are delivering the Castaway standard every day.

The Role

The Field Manager leads and manages our Tour Guides and oversees the execution of our expedition operations in the field.

You will bring structure, discipline, accountability, safety, and consistency to the team while making sure our guests continue to receive the high-energy and personal experience Castaway is known for.

You must be comfortable leading from the front. If something is happening at sea or at a basecamp, you should be willing to go there and see it yourself.

Key Responsibilities

Field Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Tour Guides and Boat Crew.

• Set clear expectations for performance, discipline, professionalism, safety, and guest service.

• Conduct regular team briefings and performance discussions.

• Hold team members accountable to company standards and SOPs.

• Work closely with the Field Supervisor on day-to-day field execution.

Boat-Hopping & Field Audits

• Regularly join and boat-hop between expeditions to observe actual operations.

• Conduct unannounced field checks when necessary.

• Audit Tour Guide and Boat Crew performance.

• Check adherence to itineraries, safety procedures, guest-service standards, and company SOPs.

• Identify operational problems before they become larger issues.

• Report findings and corrective actions to the Operations Manager.

Expedition Operations

• Ensure expeditions are executed safely, efficiently, and according to Castaway standards.

• Coordinate with Tour Operations regarding schedules, departures, manpower, weather conditions, and operational changes.

• Assist in resolving field issues, emergencies, staffing problems, and unexpected operational situations.

• Ensure teams are properly prepared before every departure.

Safety & SOP Compliance

• Enforce company safety standards and operating procedures.

• Ensure Tour Guides and Boat Crew understand emergency procedures and their responsibilities.

• Identify unsafe practices and correct them immediately.

• Participate in the continuous improvement of field SOPs and operating standards.

Guest Experience

• Monitor the quality of the guest experience throughout expeditions.

• Review and follow up on guest feedback relating to Tour Guides, Boat Crew, activities, and expedition execution.

• Coach teams when guest-service standards are not being met.

• Help ensure every expedition delivers the signature Castaway experience.

Basecamps & Caretakers

• Regularly inspect Castaway basecamps from an operational perspective.

• Supervise and coordinate with basecamp caretakers.

• Ensure basecamps are prepared to receive expedition groups.

• Escalate maintenance, safety, staffing, or operational concerns to the appropriate department.

What We’re Looking For

We are open to candidates coming from expedition operations, tour operations, adventure tourism, diving, marine operations, recreation, resort activities, or similar field-based environments.

You should have:

• Strong experience leading operational or field-based teams.

• Experience supervising Tour Guides, boat crews, activity teams, dive teams, or similar personnel is highly preferred.

• Strong leadership presence and the ability to enforce standards.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Strong understanding of guest service and hospitality.

• Ability to remain calm and take command during emergencies or operational problems.

• Willingness to spend significant time in the field, on boats, and at basecamps.

• Ability to work in a physically demanding, fast-moving island environment.

• Willingness to relocate to Palawan if currently based elsewhere.

The Person We Want

We're looking for someone who can be firm without being unreasonable, disciplined without destroying morale, and guest-focused without losing operational control.

You should be the kind of leader who doesn't manage operations only through reports.

You go out there. You see what's happening. You fix it. You develop the team. And you make sure the standard is maintained.