Regional Field Lead, US Southwest, Colorado & Michigan

Important Information

Reports to:

Kate Clark (primary) and Linda Cassell (secondary)

Location:

Preferred location is Berkeley headquarters, followed by Salt Lake City Hub or the Canyons (St. George, Utah). Location within another assigned region or remote locations may be considered for highly qualified candidates and business need as determined by the ET member in partnership with other key stakeholders. Length of season:
Full time / year round Markets covered: US Southwest (Canyons, Moab, Arizona, and New Mexico), Colorado & Michigan. Please note that markets may be added or changed based on business need, volume, and/or candidate experience.

The Regional Field Lead is a Trip Development (TD) role responsible for meeting critical company deliverables as they relate to TD, including but not limited to coordination and mentorship of TE’s, overseeing trip logistics, maintaining vendor relations, sub-contractor relationships, ensuring Ascent updates are timely and accurate, and reviewing associated trip materials. RL's primary focus is trip quality and operational oversight of their regions, supporting Regional Directors on trip quality and accuracy, hotel service agreements, crisis management, scheduling, custom/private trips and new trip development.

RLs work closely with Regional Directors and Trip Experts to successfully manage trip and regional logistics for a designated segment of trips. RLs are a vital link between the office and field and across departments, working within Trip Development and partnering closely with the Leader Development and Operations teams. A high degree of organization, attention to detail, self-motivation, creativity, coordination and leadership is required to carry out the responsibilities of this position along with a focus on timely execution of defined processes.

• Supervise Trip Experts in critical quality decisions, timely execution of Ascent updates, and delivery of all TD guest and leader-facing materials.
• Mentor Trip Experts including providing feedback, mentoring performance, completing Mid-Season Check Ins and End of Season Reviews.
• Host village meetings to help connect field staff to company, provide informational tips, and foster good morale.
• Expected to lead 1-3 trips during seasonality, as agreed upon by your RD(s).
• Serve as vital communication link between field and office.
• Keep up with company and departmental communication – transmit/translate/reiterate for Field Staff as needed.
• Recruit, review applications, and make hiring recommendations for Field Experts, with a focus on TE applicants.
• Onboard and train new TEs in region.
• Provide real time crisis management for on-trip issues including supporting the weekend on-call team.
• Provide high-level support for Field Staff in the region, with LD Managers and LDLs.
• Proactively look for ways to improve trip quality.
• Review and respond to guest, leader and staff feedback.
• Provide feedback and ideas to RD(s).
• Plan, create and update all aspects of trip quality and design, including research and presearch, for designated trips by mentoring and working closely with Trip Experts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to ensure smooth operations.
• Foster positive community relations including in National Parks where applicable.
• Help provide hotel and activity solutions for desired trip capacity, working closely with RD and hotels team.
• Respond in a timely manner to private trip requests if needed.
• Work closely with Private Trips Team, researchers, and all partners to ensure the best possible experience for guests.
• Provide guidance to the Scheduling Team on Trip Expert Schedules.

• Experience in Trip Development or prior Trip Expert or Market Expert experience required.
• Extensive Trip Leading experience preferred and understanding of Backroads’ service ethic.
• Strong understanding of TE Program.
• Experience in Leadership Development as a mentor is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including proven feedback skills via FTR feedback on trips and with co-leaders.
• Analytical skills preferred but not required.
• Ability to…