Transportation Contract Manager

Job DescriptionCompany IntroductionWorldStrides 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 DescriptionAre you ready to take the wheel in a fast-paced, high-impact role? WorldStrides is looking for an experienced multilingual Transport Contract Manager to join our UK team and drive contracting and operational excellence across our WorldStrides land programs in Italy and France.In this role, you’ll be at the heart of our operations—building and maintaining relationships with transport suppliers, negotiating competitive rates and commercial terms, and implementing a supplier strategy that delivers value, safety, and service quality. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring our busing programs run smoothly and efficiently.Collaboration will be key to your success. You’ll work closely with our operations team, offering guidance, insight, and hands-on support to ensure seamless delivery across all transport operations.If you’re motivated by building impactful partnerships, driving performance, and occasionally traveling through Europe while contributing to unforgettable travel experiences, we’d love to hear from youResponsibilitiesDrive and develop sourcing plans based upon business and department needs. This will include leading commercial negotiations across a broad spread of categories and involve the management of high value contracts.Develop and maintain supplier relationships and performance whilst constantly looking to enhance the commercial value to the company.Allocating, booking and ensuring tour run efficiently from an operations perspective.Find new suppliers and new product development.Support groups and Tour Directors whilst on tour and help with customer care or emergency issues as and when necessary.Provide contract information and prices for all other components in area. Enter contract prices for given components into the system.Process and pay supplier invoices.Continue to work with suppliers to improve the efficiency of our operations and also the use of internal systems as a means of doing this.Report to Director regularly on contracted costs versus budget. The contractor has full budget responsibility and is also the guardian for all operational expenses within region.Visit suppliers according to guidelines and travel budgets. Carry out safety and security checks during these visits.Participate in preparation and presentation of the European land budgets, including executive level briefings.Managing booking requirements: keeping track of assigned group space and special requirements including tracking and notifying any changes.Prepare and participate in tour development/changes meetings.Collect and log competitor and market information for area.Manage the yield for all groups in area: this includes keeping track of all group space requirements, placing all groups in hotels, allocating in system, tracking and notifying any changes.Allocating services with suppliers assuring best balance of price and quality, in a timely manner.QualificationsSolid international buying, procurement/purchasing knowledge and experience.Fluent in Italian and/or French requiredGood geographical knowledge of Europe and a passion for showcasing what the region has to offer international travelersWork experience in a field related to tourism and/or experience abroad preferred.Strong communication and presentation skills including the ability to work with all levels of employees.The ability to work under tight deadlines and with budget constraints.Proficient computer skills and the ability to learn new software products a must.Ability to travel to assigned regions when required.Strong negotiation and budget management skills.Ability to multi-task projects and responsibilities and strong prioritization skills.A bachelor’s degree.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.