WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.
Job Description:
The Operations Manager is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and delivery of WorldStrides' Faculty-Led and Study Abroad programs in Athens. This role oversees program logistics, student services, supplier relationships, operational administration, health and safety, and team leadership to ensure exceptional student and faculty experiences. The Operations Manager supervises operational staff, manages day-to-day program execution, supports financial and administrative processes, and resolves complex operational challenges. During an Acting Resident Director assignment, the role assumes additional responsibility for office leadership, strategic planning, budget oversight, crisis management, quality assurance, and business continuity, serving as the primary operational leader for the Athens office.
Responsibilities:
1. Faculty-Led (Custom) Programs
Responsible for the operational planning, coordination and successful delivery of Faculty-Led Programs.
- Planning and coordinating educational itineraries.
- Coordinating program logistics from confirmation through completion.
- Coordinating accommodation, transportation, ferries, flights and restaurants.
- Confirming operational services with suppliers.
- Preparing operational documentation, rooming lists, vouchers and briefing materials.
- Liaising with professors before, during and after programmes.
- Coordinating participant communications.
- Managing programme changes and operational troubleshooting.
- Supporting field delivery where required.
- Conducting post-programme operational reviews.
- Identifying operational improvements and efficiencies.
2. Individual (Study Abroad) Programs
Responsible for supporting the successful delivery of Individual Programs throughout the student lifecycle.
- Student arrivals and departures.
- Airport transfers.
- Orientation programmes.
- Student housing coordination.
- Housing inspections.
- Student welfare and wellbeing.
- Student activities and excursions.
- Semester operational support.
- Coordination with Resident Assistants and local partners.
- Supporting students throughout their programme experience.
- Resolving operational issues as they arise.
3. Accounts Payable & Operational Administration
Responsible for supporting the financial administration of the Athens office.
- Collecting supplier invoices.
- Reviewing invoices for operational accuracy.
- Preparing invoices for payment approval.
- Preparing expense reports.
- Managing petty cash reconciliations.
- Preparing documentation for payment runs.
- Maintaining supplier records.
- Maintaining accurate operational records.
- Supporting administrative compliance requirements.
- Filing and maintaining operational documentation.
4. Tour Leadership & Programme Delivery
Responsible for supporting programme delivery in the field.
- Acting as Tour Director where operationally required.
- Escorting student groups.
- Delivering programme briefings.
- Briefing and supporting Tour Directors, Tour Leaders and Tour Guides.
- Coordinating programme logistics while travelling.
- Monitoring operational quality during programmes.
- Resolving operational issues in the field.
- Supporting professors and students throughout programme delivery.
- Representing WorldStrides professionally at all times.
5. Health, Safety & Student Welfare
Responsible for supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of students, faculty and staff.
- Supporting student wellbeing.
- Responding to health and safety incidents.
- Coordinating medical appointments and hospital visits.
- Supporting safeguarding procedures.
- Preparing incident reports.
- Liaising with professors during incidents.
- Escalating significant incidents appropriately.
- Supporting emergency response.
- Maintaining confidential records.
- Supporting duty-of-care obligations.
6. Supplier & Partnership Management
Responsible for maintaining strong operational relationships with suppliers and local partners.
- Confirming operational services.
- Monitoring supplier performance.
- Maintaining supplier relationships.
- Resolving supplier issues.
- Supporting operational negotiations.
- Identifying new suppliers and experiences.
- Building positive relationships with local partners.
7. Staff Leadership & Training
Responsible for supporting the development and coordination of the Athens operational team.
- Supporting recruitment activities.
- Participating in interviews.
- Onboarding new employees.
- Delivering structured training.
- Coaching operational staff.
- Training or briefing Tour Directors, Tour Leaders and Tour Guides.
- Preparing operational manuals and procedures.
- Supporting performance reviews.
- Coordinating work allocation and scheduling.
- Promoting collaboration and continuous improvement. Additional Responsibilities During Acting Resident Director Assignment
(Applicable only during the temporary Acting Resident Director assignment.) During the Acting Resident Director assignment, the employee will assume delegated authority and additional responsibilities beyond those of the Operations Manager.
1. Financial Management
- Overall responsibility and ownership for operational budgets.
- Budget forecasting.
- Financial planning.
- Cost control.
- Profitability monitoring.
- Payment approvals.
- Payruns.
- Financial reporting.
- Financial decision-making within delegated authority.
2. Strategic Leadership
- Leading the operational strategy of the Athens office.
- Business planning.
- Workforce planning.
- Resource planning.
- Operational decision-making.
- Supporting business growth initiatives.
- Supporting regional strategic priorities.
- Ensuring business continuity.
3. Academic Engagement Strategy
- Oversight of academic engagements across all programmes.
- Development of educational experiences.
- Building and maintaining relationships with universities, museums, NGOs, businesses, public authorities and community partners.
- Supporting curriculum integration.
- Developing new educational opportunities.
- Ensuring the educational quality of programmes.
4. Crisis Management & Office Leadership
- Overall operational leadership of the Athens office.
- Supervision of office staff and contractors.
- Crisis management.
- Emergency response.
- Major incident coordination.
- Representation of WorldStrides with universities, suppliers, government authorities and external stakeholders.
- Ensuring compliance with Company policies and applicable legislation.
- Reporting directly to Europe leadership.
- Ensuring operational continuity throughout the Resident Director's maternity leave.
5. Quality Assurance
- Overall responsibility for operational quality across the Athens office.
- Monitoring student, faculty and partner satisfaction.
- Reviewing supplier performance and service standards.
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Developing and maintaining operational procedures, manuals and standard operating procedures.
- Conducting operational reviews and implementing corrective actions.
- Ensuring consistency of service delivery across both Individual and Faculty-Led Programs. Other Duties
The Operations Manager shall perform any other duties reasonably associated with the position or delegated by the Resident Director or Europe Operations Director in accordance with operational requirements and business needs. Remarks on Governance
The Acting Resident Director may approve (e.g., supplier approvals, emergency operational decisions, staff scheduling, routine correspondence) and what remains reserved for the Europe Operations Director (e.g., hiring, dismissals, salary decisions, major contractual commitments, or expenditures above specified approval limits).
WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.
