Herc-Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

The Cal Alumni Association is seeking a Senior Director to lead our Cal Discoveries Travel Program. Our Program offers both foreign and domestic educational group tours to alumni, faculty and friends of the University of California, Berkeley.  The Senior Director establishes and implements the program’s strategies, goals & budget in support of CAA’s mission and strategic directions, and is responsible for destination research, contract negotiations, itinerary development and selection, tour staffing, and program marketing and growth. CAA contracts with third-party tour operators to provide trips, and we run trips that are 100% designed and managed in-house. 

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS: Must be able to travel at least twice a year domestically and internationally for up to two weeks at a time for the purposes of tour managing, destination and tour research, planning, marketing, quality control, and networking.  Short-notice travel required in emergency situations. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends. 

COVID-19 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: 

Staff are required to take a COVID test on campus through University Health Services, and provide proof of COVID vaccine and booster, or request a disability, medical, or sincerely held religious belief exception. All employees must follow current facecovering guidelines.

WORK SCHEDULE and LOCATION: 

The position is located in Berkeley, CA at the Alumni House on the University of California, Berkeley campus. The position will work a hybrid schedule inline with job duties and business needs, with some time working in the office and some time working remotely. 

The Cal Alumni Association seeks candidates whose previous experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion and to increasing the participation of individuals from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

SUPERVISION: Supervises four full time employees. Reports to the Senior Program Operating Officer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accountable for all fiscal aspects of the program, including budget development, forecasting and monthly tracking against goals.  Provide budget narrative to the Senior Program Operating Officer for Board Finance Meetings. 
• Implement and annually revise Cal Discoveries Travel business plan.  Present the business plan to Senior Management, CAA Board, and periodically at All-Staff meetings for the purpose of internal education and collaboration.
• Collaborate with other revenue generating departments to seek ways to grow revenue, share best practices and improve customer experience.  Find new ways to promote the travel program to new audiences.
• Build strong campus and community relations that support our mission and travel program. Represent CAA or the travel program on campus, at meetings, conferences, etc. (e.g., Educational Travel Conference, Pac-12 Travel Directors, tour operator site inspections, partner meetings, and recruiting faculty lecturers). Attend CAA Board of Directors meetings as required.
• Oversee all aspects of customer satisfaction, and oversee mediation of disputes between tour operators and participants. 
• Negotiate, review and select contract proposals for tours, travel insurance and all vendors for in-house operated trips.. 
• Oversee marketing activities. Coordinate with CAA’s Marketing Department. Oversee production of Cal Discoveries promotional brochures and all individual trip brochures. Oversee the associated direct mail program.
• Oversee all technology systems and processes regarding data collection, recordkeeping, participant privacy, CADS updates;  Produce program reports and analysis; Recommend and implement process improvements.
• Oversee various events: annual Travelers Reception, academic enrichment presentations, and alumni gatherings abroad.
• Lead and supervise travel staff team.
• Create, maintain and adhere to Cal Discoveries program policies, and adhere to industry guidelines for domestic and international tours.  
• Keep abreast of world geography and current events that may affect travel to various destinations.
• Responsible for all aspects of risk management related to the Cal Discoveries travel program.
• Other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree. 
• Minimum 7 - 10 years in the travel industry (education group travel experience strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated skills in negotiations, decision-making, written and oral communications, customer service, public speaking, public relations, marketing and promotion.  
• Experience managing a business unit with P&L responsibility. 
• Understand principles of risk management and traveler privacy standards. 
• Demonstrated skills and ability to operate independently, organize, lead and supervise.  
• Strong computer skills in spreadsheet, database management, presentation, and word processing applications.  
• Experience with program development and implementation, volunteer management, event planning, and working in a not-for-profit environment. 
• Ability to work diplomatically with diverse groups of people. 
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends. 
• Have a valid passport without travel restrictions. 
• Ability to lift a suitcase (up to 50 lbs.)
• Must submit to and pass background check and FBI/DOJ fingerprint screening.
• Must have valid CA driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Familiarity with and connected within the Cal alumni community.
  
  

SALARY AND CLASSIFICATION:  

This position is classified as an at-will, full-time, non-exempt position. Pay range will be between $83,000 - 88,000 annualized, and is eligible to participate in company sponsored benefits.

TO APPLY:  

Please submit your cover letter and resume to recruiting@alumni.berkeley.edu with Senior Director, Travel in the subject line. Please send your materials as an attachment in either MS Word or PDF format. This position will remain open until filled, however, we encourage you to submit your materials for consideration by Friday, 4/15/2022.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

About CAA: Our mission is to advance and promote the interests of the University of California, Berkeley by connecting alumni with each other and our alma mater. Together with our campus partners, we will inform, engage, and inspire all alumni to support the University. 

Founded by University of California, Berkeley alumni in 1872, CAA is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors. Our organization operates independently from the university with a mission of engaging alumni in support of the university. Included in our portfolio of revenue-generating business and alumni engagement programs, CAA manages the Lair of the Bear family camp in Pinecrest, CA, the award-winning California magazine, Cal Discoveries Travel program, and three scholarship programs. Annually, CAA awards more than $2 million in scholarships to approximately 850 students. CAA is one of the most respected alumni associations in the nation and represents the global network of more than a half million graduates of UC Berkeley.  

Please visit our website for more information about CAA: alumni.berkeley.edu

Go Bears!