Job Description

Job Title:

Operations Director

Location:

Fulham, London

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Industry:

Travel & Tourism

Company Overview

Brightsun Travel is a leading provider of travel services in the UK, offering a wide range of products including flights, hotels, tours, travel insurance, and car hire. With over 60 partnerships with major global airlines and a strong presence in UK, India, Ireland, and UAE, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service to our B2B and B2C clients.

The mission is to deliver seamless, innovative, and customer-centric travel experiences. With a global network of partners and a commitment to operational excellence, we are poised for continued growth and transformation.

Summary

We are seeking a dynamic Director of Operations to join our team. This pivotal role will oversee our operational functions, ensuring efficiency and excellence in service delivery across all branches. The Director of Operations will play a key role in driving the company's growth and maintaining our reputation as one of the top travel operators in the UK.

Responsibilities

The Operations Director will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the end-to-end operations of the business, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and exceptional service delivery. This role is pivotal in driving strategic initiatives, managing large-scale operational teams, and ensuring compliance and performance across all travel-related services, especially air travel.

Lead and manage daily operations to ensure seamless service delivery across all departments. Develop and implement operational strategies that align with company goals and enhance efficiency. Supervise staff performance, providing guidance and support to foster a high-performing team culture. Collaborate with other departments to optimize processes and improve customer satisfaction. Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities for growth. Prepare regular reports on operational performance, presenting findings to senior management.

Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership

Proven experience in an operations management role within the travel or tourism industry. Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage teams effectively. Excellent organizational skills with a focus on detail and efficiency. Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions based on operational metrics. Exceptional communication skills for effective collaboration across departments. Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives. Lead transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Collaborate with the executive team to shape long-term business plans. Oversee day-to-day operations across booking, ticketing, customer service, supplier management, and logistics. Ensure optimal performance of air travel operations, including partnerships with airlines, GDS platforms, and consolidators. Implement and monitor KPIs to track operational performance and customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Technology & Process Optimization

Drive digital transformation and automation across operational workflows. Work closely with IT and product teams to enhance platform capabilities and customer interfaces.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with industry regulations, including IATA, ATOL, and GDPR. Manage operational risks and develop contingency plans for disruptions (e.g., airline strikes, system outages).

Financial Oversight

Manage operational budgets and contribute to cost control and margin improvement. Support commercial teams with insights on operational feasibility and cost implications.

Key Requirements:

Proven experience (20+ years) in senior operations roles within the travel or airline industry. Strong understanding of air travel operations, including airline partnerships, GDS systems (e.g., Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre), and regulatory frameworks, and in addition knowledge of API's to support NDC connections. Demonstrated success in leading large teams and managing complex, high-volume operations. Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities. Experience with digital transformation and operational technology platforms is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, or related field (MBA preferred). Familiarity with international travel regulations and multi-market operations. Experience in scaling operations in a high-growth environment.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a dynamic leadership team in a fast-growing travel company. Influence the future of travel operations and customer experience. Competitive compensation, flexible working, and travel perks.
Additional benefits:

Travel perks

Private healthcare

Pension contributions

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 70,000.00-90,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Bonus scheme
Benefits:

Company car Company pension
Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:

London SW6 1HR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

UK Travel Industry : 10 years (required)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Location:

London SW6 1HR (preferred)
Willingness to travel:

25% (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: CEO Brightsun