WorldStrides 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 Description
The Director of Program Management is responsible for leading the Program Management function for K12 Domestic group travel programs, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of pricing, itinerary development, and operational readiness for educational travel experiences. The role provides strategic leadership, process governance, and cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Account Management, Operations, Finance, and Product teams.
The Director oversees a team of Program Managers and support staff responsible for transforming customer requirements into executable travel programs while balancing customer experience, operational feasibility, supplier relationships, risk considerations, and financial objectives. This leader drives process improvement, automation initiatives, service-level performance, and organizational readiness to support business growth and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Program Managers and support staff.
- Establish and maintain service-level expectations, performance standards, and development plans.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and customer service.
- Drive workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational capability development.
- Monitor team workload distribution and resource allocation.
Program Management Leadership
- Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure successful transition of programs from sales through trip execution.
- Oversee the creation, maintenance, and execution of customized K12 Domestic travel programs.
- Ensure the timely completion of group consolidations, itineraries, pricing deliverables, and operational program requirements.
- Partner with Product and Cost Governance teams for launch and updates of program catalog.
- Monitor program quality, accuracy, and adherence to company standards.
- Collaborate with Product and Operations teams to ensure program offerings meet customer and operational requirements.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Serve as a key liaison between Program Management, Product, Sales, Account Management, Operations, Finance, and other business partners.
- Facilitate communication and alignment across departments regarding policies, processes, customer needs, and operational requirements.
- Support organizational initiatives and strategic projects impacting the customer lifecycle.
- Participate in leadership discussions regarding product development, customer experience, and operational effectiveness.
Financial & Business Performance
- Monitor program profitability, pricing accuracy, and margin performance.
- Partner with Finance and Product teams to support cost management and pricing strategies.
- Analyze trends, operational metrics, and business performance indicators.
- Develop recommendations to improve financial outcomes while maintaining customer value and service quality.
- Support annual planning, forecasting, and budget-related activities.
Data Analytics & Reporting
- Develop dashboards, reports, and performance metrics to evaluate team and business performance.
- Present operational insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Utilize data to identify trends, risks, and business opportunities.
- Lead reporting efforts associated with service levels, productivity, quality, and customer outcomes.
Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Create and maintain departmental operating calendars, project plans, and business process documentation.
- Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce operational risk.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across pricing, itinerary development, supplier management, and operational processes.
- Utilize data and performance metrics to drive decision-making and operational improvements.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- 7+ years experience in program management, operations, project management, travel operations, or related field.
- 3+ years people leadership experience.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and operational improvement projects.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred
- Experience in educational travel, tourism, hospitality, or service-based operations.
- Experience with process automation and workflow optimization.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Power Automate, Microsoft 365, or similar business tools.
- Experience utilizing data analytics to drive business decisions.
Travel: May be required based on needs of business to offices and/or conferences in US and Mexico. Must have valid passport.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Operational Excellence
- Program Management
- Process Improvement
- Change Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Financial Acumen
- Team Development
- Customer Focus
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Communication and Influence
- Problem Solving
Success Measures
The Director of Program Management will be evaluated on:
- Timeliness and accuracy of price processing, consolidation and itinerary deliverables
- Team productivity and service level attainment
- Customer and stakeholder satisfaction
- Process improvement and automation outcomes
- Employee engagement and retention
- Operational efficiency metrics
- Program profitability and margin performance
- Successful execution of strategic initiatives
Work Perks:
- Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match.
- Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement
- Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually
- Opportunities for paid and discounted travel
- Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities
- Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations
- Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave
- Team Member Discount Program
- Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
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.
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