Chief Operations Officer

7 days ago

Durban, South Africa Cullinan Holdings Full time

Thompsons Africa is a premier luxury DMC offering curated FIT and group travel across Southern Africa.

With over 30 years of experience, we provide seamless, tech-enabled service through expert teams, guaranteed departures, and 24/7 support—delivering exceptional, personalized experiences for international travel partners and their guests.

We have an opportunity for a seasoned professional with strong acumen in Tourism operations to join our leadership team.

We are seeking a dynamic and highly organised Chief Operations Officer with a passion for people and experiences, and a commitment to leading and driving operational excellence.

The position will be based at our Head Office in Westville, Durban, and will report directly to the CEO.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO**:
**Operational Leadership**
- Oversee and manage daily operations across all departments (e.g., reservations, proposals, contracting, sales, etc.) with efficiency and dedication.
- Ensure the seamless delivery of extraordinary travel experiences and services to our customers.
- Monitor KPIs and implement systems that enhance service quality, cost-efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

**Team Management**
- Inspire and empower department heads and their teams to achieve greatness.
- Foster a culture of performance, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
- Implement training and development initiatives that unlock potential and build team capacity.

**Strategic Execution**
- Report directly to the CEO and as part of the leadership team collaborate to bring the company’s vision to life.
- Transform long-term goals into actionable plans and scalable systems.
- Spot and implement opportunities for operational improvements and automation.

**Logistics and Crisis Management**
- Oversee complex itineraries and last-minute travel logistics with precision and professionalism.
- Respond to unforeseen operational challenges with composure and efficiency.

**Travel & Sight Oversight**
- Conduct site inspections and supplier visits to ensure quality travel experiences.
- Represent the company at key meetings, trade shows, and events, where required.
- Be available and prepared to travel on short notice based on operational needs.

**Requirements**:

- Proven experience in an operational leadership role within the Tourism industry.
- Demonstrated strength in travel logistics, planning, and process improvement.
- A track record of successfully managing and leading teams, mentoring staff, and boosting productivity.
- Strong attention to detail and resilience under pressure.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel domestically and internationally on short notice.
- Committed and responsible.
- Proficiency in reservations systems and reporting tools.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Travel & Tourism, or related field (preferred).

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