Tour Optimization Trainee

Job Type: Full-time, Temporary

Duration: 10 Months

Salary: Pro-rated portion of an annual salary of 40,000 CHF

Job Overview:
EF Educational Tours is currently looking for an energetic and enthusiastic professional for the position of Tour Optimization Trainee, to join our Operations Department at our Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

As a Tour Optimization Trainee, you will play an important role in helping our customers travel throughout Europe by working with our team to allocate and manage cost-effective and high-quality accommodation and transport services. You will support the Tour Optimization team in managing bookings, building strong relationships with suppliers, and ensuring that EF delivers exceptional experiences to our travelers.

This position reports to a Tour Optimization Manager and will involve close collaboration with suppliers and internal EF teams to ensure operational excellence and efficiency across our tour portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

- Support inventory and demand management, including data gathering and allocation.

- Assist with managing bookings, allocations, reservations, and other operational processes, supporting new initiatives and projects as needed

- Support the coordination and optimization of group logistics with external vendors.

- Work closely with suppliers and internal teams to strengthen collaboration through a supplier relationship management approach

- Participate in improving existing tools and supporting the development of new technology solutions.

- Ensure all contracts, allocations, invoices, company records and supplier updates are processed, maintained, and administered effectively

Main Objectives for This Role:

- Provide reliable, efficient support to the Tour Optimization team in booking, allocating and managing inventory

- Maintain accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple tasks and priorities

- Communicate clearly, professionally, and collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams

- Keep detailed, up-to-date records of reservations, allocations, and supplier interactions

- Collaborate with team members to ensure consistency and alignment across different processes and projects

- Take initiative in problem-solving and process improvement, always focusing on cost-effectiveness, quality, and operational efficiency

- Collaborates effectively across diverse stakeholders and markets with a proactive, KPI-driven approach

Skills & Experience:

- Fluency in English, both verbal and written; additional languages are a plus

- Customer service and process oriented with a problem solving mindset

- Compassionate, empathetic, and motivated by helping others

- Strong attention to detail and communication skills

- Enjoys working as part of a collaborative team

- Resilient, positive, and able to handle high-stress situations with professionalism

- Curious mindset, brings fresh perspective and solutions.

Why you will love working with us

· People at EF make things happen. We encourage you to take full ownership of your work, regardless of your level or experience. EF team members often say we operate like the world's largest startup because this boundless entrepreneurial spirit is built into our organization's DNA.

· At EF, work is just one part of life. We offer a variety of perks and benefits to help you thrive inside and outside the office:

- Discounted passes to local destinations and tourist hot spots such as Mt. Titlis or Kunsthaus Zurich 

- Free membership for our in-house gym or get involved with our variety of sports teams

- Seasonal and monthly office events including holiday parties, ski trips and office mingles

- Discounts on a wide range of local restaurants, shops, hotel stays and EF products

- 15% off in-house childcare service 

- Discounts on EF & Hult products for staff and family members