Join Our Team at EF Education First
A career with EF combines the support and opportunity of a large international organization with the spirit and energy of a small business. We are looking for thinkers and doers—creative, collaborative, and motivated individuals who are passionate about education and travel.
Position Overview
EF Education First, the world leader in international education, is seeking a passionate, organized, and hardworking Director to join our Educational Tours Travel Team. In this role, you will collaborate with an energetic multinational team and report directly to the Director of Travel in our flights division.
The ideal candidate will lead an emerging team focused on strategizing and securing optimal flight inventory for our customers while supporting the needs of our Educational Tours sales teams based in North America. This role involves approximately 25% international travel.
The start date for this full-time position is July 2025.
Responsibilities
- Train staff and managers on the technical aspects of industry Global Distribution Systems, requiring expert-level skills in both Sabre and Amadeus, along with at least one year of experience with Travel Fusion and in NDC.
- Work closely and collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
- Manage a multi-million dollar budget encompassing both direct and indirect costs.
- Set the procurement strategy for a team responsible for sourcing flights for the Educational Tours product group, focusing on quality, customer experience, and financial stewardship.
- Provide support, training, and development for the Managers and Flight Coordinators reporting to you.
- Analyze complex data and market forecasting to inform decision-making for your team and the organization.
- Collaborate with senior sales leadership to establish service level agreements, determine business rules, and create processes that ensure an ideal customer experience for our North American customers while maintaining strong budget adherence.
- Work closely with other Directors across Travel to achieve collective strategic priorities.
- Drive innovation through technology, seeking new ways to scale our business and improve operational efficiencies.
Who You Are
- You have 5+ years of proven success in leading or positively influencing teams at a managerial level or above.
- You are a GDS expert who enjoys diving into details and discovering innovative solutions for group bookings.
- You possess experience working with North American travel consumers, with prior experience in the educational travel industry or the K-12 school market considered a plus.
- You thrive in collaborative environments and are excited to achieve high results with your team.
- You are well-versed in working with senior stakeholders, making decisions, and communicating effectively with relevant parties.
- You are not afraid to raise concerns, challenge colleagues, and propose solutions in constructive and tactful ways.
- You have a strong understanding of the group travel model and the necessary airline procurement and servicing processes, with at least 3+ years of experience in booking groups.
- You have a proven track record of managing or acting as a decision-maker on technical projects that have streamlined processes.
- You are a strategic leader who brings drive, passion, and inspiration to your role.
- You are competitive and goal-driven, adopting a “nothing is impossible” attitude to help your team achieve its objectives.
- You are flexible and recognize that the travel industry is unpredictable, prepared to navigate its highs and lows.
- You are a team player who approaches work with a "work hard, have fun" attitude.
About EF
At EF, we believe the world is better when people strive to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions experience new places, cultures, and insights about the world and themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—transform dreams into international opportunities.
By joining EF, you become a part of a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, united by the mission of opening the world through education. No matter who you are or what you’re passionate about, we welcome you to bring your unique perspective to work each day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusion and belonging across all facets of diversity.
Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices worldwide, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. To learn more, please visit our website.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.