Sales & Travel Operations Manager

About the role

The Sales & Travel Operations Manager will own the complete client journey, from the first inquiry through itinerary design, booking, on‑site support, and post‑trip follow‑up. Reporting to the Founder, the role combines leadership of a growing Travel Planning team with hands‑on sales of luxury travel experiences in Costa Rica and Panama.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Travel Planning team, assigning inquiries based on workload, expertise, and commercial potential.
• Review and validate itineraries, proposals, and quotations to ensure they match client expectations, style, and budget.
• Manage personal sales portfolio of luxury‑travel bookings, handling communication, design, pricing, negotiations, and closing.
• Oversee the hand‑over of confirmed bookings to Operations, ensuring all reservations, supplier arrangements, and client documentation are accurate.
• Monitor client travel in‑destination, providing proactive concierge support and resolving issues or emergencies.
• Build and maintain relationships with hotels, transport providers, guides, and activity partners, negotiating rates, terms, and added value.
• Track sales performance, conversion rates, profitability, and pipeline health using CRM discipline.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading a travel‑planning or sales team in a luxury‑travel environment.
• Strong client‑facing skills with the ability to communicate professionally with international travelers and advisors.
• Demonstrated ability to design personalized itineraries for Costa Rica and Panama.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and conducting commercial negotiations.
• Ability to balance personal sales responsibilities with team leadership duties.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to grow into the Founder’s second‑in‑command for Sales and Travel Operations.
• Leadership of a dynamic, expanding team in a niche luxury‑travel market.
• Exposure to high‑value client accounts and strategic supplier partnerships.