Commercial Partnerships

About Global School Alliance (GSA)

The Global School Alliance seeks to create global citizens by building the world's most engaged network of pioneering educators. We deliver this through immersive international travel experiences and technology-enhanced collaboration.

GSA connects schools, educators, and partners through our platform to enable meaningful relationships, award-winning school partnerships, and globally focused learning. Through study tours, teacher delegations, student exchanges, and leadership summits, we're transforming how young people experience the world.

Role Summary

We are seeking a bilingual Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager to lead the growth, delivery, and management of our UK-China travel programmes. Based in Liverpool's historic Georgian Quarter, this strategic and hands-on role combines responsibility for programme operations, commercial partnerships, and people management.

You will oversee our international travel department, manage cross-border teams, and lead the end-to-end delivery of our student exchange trips and leadership delegations. This role is key to building sustainable, high-quality travel offerings and scaling our educational impact between the UK and China.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management & Delivery

• 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.
• Ensure safety, educational value, and cultural relevance are prioritised across all itineraries.
• Liaise with DMCs and suppliers to ensure accurate, timely, and budget-conscious delivery.

Travel Department Oversight

• Provide strategic leadership to the travel operations function across the UK and China.
• Set and maintain delivery standards, timelines, and cost controls across all programmes.
• Monitor the full sales-to-delivery lifecycle, ensuring smooth transitions, clear accountability, and scalable processes.

Commercial Partnerships & Business Development

• Identify and onboard new partner schools, DMCs, education institutions, and suppliers across the UK and China.
• Represent GSA to prospective clients and partners, showcasing our travel offerings and organisational mission.
• Negotiate commercial terms, contracts, and supplier agreements to secure quality and profitability.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of active leads through outreach, events, and digital channels.
• Align business development activities with marketing and operational capacity planning.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Line-manage the Chinese operations team and support UK-based operations staff.
• Provide performance management, mentoring, and structured feedback.
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration between teams for effective programme delivery.

Stakeholder Coordination & Relationship Management

• Build and manage trusted relationships with schools, government bodies, education authorities, and travel partners.
• Act as GSA's primary liaison with major Chinese education organisations (e.g., New Oriental) via platforms like WeChat.
• Support long-term partnership building between UK and Chinese schools and educators.
• Ensure cultural sensitivity and compliance with regulatory frameworks in both countries.

Operational Support & Systems

• Maintain accurate records including itineraries, contracts, feedback reports, and risk assessments.
• Use digital tools such as HubSpot, , Microsoft 365, GSA's platform, and others to manage workflows and reporting.
• Organise online events, group communications, virtual meetings, and delivery updates.
• Lead post-trip reviews and ensure continual service improvements based on feedback and KPIs.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in high-pressure operational and administrative roles in travel and / or hospitality industries.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and spoken).
• 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.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Confident using tools like Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Zoom, , Xero, and WeChat.
• Intercultural awareness and the ability to navigate cultural sensitivities with professionalism.
• Legally able to work full-time in the UK (minimum 2 years remaining on visa if applicable).
• 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.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with annual reviews and performance incentives.
• Hybrid working flexibility after onboarding.
• International travel with student delegations and leadership groups.
• Team retreats, wellbeing benefits, and structured career development.
• A values-driven environment committed to global impact and educational equity.
• Regular 1-to-1s and professional coaching support.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Employee mentoring programme
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme

Work Location: In person