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Commercial Partnerships and Operations Manager – UK-China Travel Programmes
| Posting date: | 21 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £45,000 to £55,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 November 2025 |
| Location: | Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Mandarin Recruitment Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 38984 |
Summary
Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager role in a UK-based education management company. The organisation brings together a global community of schools committed to delivering transformative international education. Through a blend of online collaboration and immersive experiences, such as study tours, teacher delegations, student exchanges, and leadership summits. They are seeking a bilingual Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager to lead UK-China travel programmes, combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. The role involves managing cross-border teams, overseeing international operations, and driving sustainable educational impact through student exchanges and leadership visits.
Job Requirements:
Minimum 5 years' experience in high-pressure operational and administrative roles in travel and / or hospitality industries.
Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and spoken).
Strong knowledge of the China market, including education, travel, and regulatory environments.
Significant experience in travel, education, or international programme operations.
Proven track record in people management, with experience leading cross-border or remote teams.
Strong business development and stakeholder engagement experience.
Skilled in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
Confident using tools like Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Zoom, Monday.com, Xero, and WeChat.
Intercultural awareness and the ability to navigate cultural sensitivities with professionalism.
Legally able to work full-time in the UK (minimum 2 years remaining on visa if applicable).
Willingness to travel between the UK and China.
Able to pass an enhanced DBS check.
Job Responsibilities:
Lead the delivery of UK-China travel programmes, ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, and client satisfaction
Develop and manage culturally rich itineraries for student exchanges, teacher delegations, and leadership visits
Oversee all logistics including travel, visas, accommodation, transport, and hosting arrangements
Prioritise safety, educational value, and cultural relevance across all programmes
Collaborate with DMCs and suppliers to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective execution
Provide strategic direction for travel operations across UK and China
Establish and uphold standards, timelines, and budget controls for programme delivery
Manage the full sales-to-delivery lifecycle with clear accountability and scalable processes
Identify and onboard new partner schools, institutions, DMCs, and suppliers in both regions
Represent GSA to potential clients and partners, promoting travel services and organisational values
Negotiate contracts and commercial terms to ensure quality and profitability
Build and maintain a pipeline of leads through outreach, events, and digital engagement
Align business development with marketing and operational planning
Manage the Chinese operations team and support UK-based staff
Provide structured performance management, mentoring, and feedback
Foster cross-functional collaboration for seamless programme execution
Cultivate relationships with schools, government bodies, education authorities, and travel partners
Serve as GSA’s main liaison with Chinese education organisations via platforms like WeChat
Support long-term partnerships between UK and Chinese educational institutions
Ensure cultural sensitivity and regulatory compliance in both countries
Maintain accurate documentation including itineraries, contracts, reports, and risk assessments
Utilise digital tools (e.g., HubSpot, Monday.com, Microsoft 365) for workflow and reporting
Coordinate virtual meetings, group communications, and programme updates
Lead post-trip reviews and drive continuous improvement based on feedback and KPIs
About Us
Mandarin Recruitment is a service that helps UK and China businesses & organisations find and source high-quality Mandarin-speaking professionals. We have unparalleled and exclusive channels to the Chinese speaking market, allowing us to be the leading organisation for specialist Mandarin recruitment.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager role in a UK-based education management company. The organisation brings together a global community of schools committed to delivering transformative international education. Through a blend of online collaboration and immersive experiences, such as study tours, teacher delegations, student exchanges, and leadership summits. They are seeking a bilingual Commercial Partnerships & Operations Manager to lead UK-China travel programmes, combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. The role involves managing cross-border teams, overseeing international operations, and driving sustainable educational impact through student exchanges and leadership visits.
Job Requirements:
Minimum 5 years' experience in high-pressure operational and administrative roles in travel and / or hospitality industries.
Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and spoken).
Strong knowledge of the China market, including education, travel, and regulatory environments.
Significant experience in travel, education, or international programme operations.
Proven track record in people management, with experience leading cross-border or remote teams.
Strong business development and stakeholder engagement experience.
Skilled in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management.
Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
Confident using tools like Microsoft 365, HubSpot, Zoom, Monday.com, Xero, and WeChat.
Intercultural awareness and the ability to navigate cultural sensitivities with professionalism.
Legally able to work full-time in the UK (minimum 2 years remaining on visa if applicable).
Willingness to travel between the UK and China.
Able to pass an enhanced DBS check.
Job Responsibilities:
Lead the delivery of UK-China travel programmes, ensuring operational efficiency, compliance, and client satisfaction
Develop and manage culturally rich itineraries for student exchanges, teacher delegations, and leadership visits
Oversee all logistics including travel, visas, accommodation, transport, and hosting arrangements
Prioritise safety, educational value, and cultural relevance across all programmes
Collaborate with DMCs and suppliers to ensure timely, accurate, and cost-effective execution
Provide strategic direction for travel operations across UK and China
Establish and uphold standards, timelines, and budget controls for programme delivery
Manage the full sales-to-delivery lifecycle with clear accountability and scalable processes
Identify and onboard new partner schools, institutions, DMCs, and suppliers in both regions
Represent GSA to potential clients and partners, promoting travel services and organisational values
Negotiate contracts and commercial terms to ensure quality and profitability
Build and maintain a pipeline of leads through outreach, events, and digital engagement
Align business development with marketing and operational planning
Manage the Chinese operations team and support UK-based staff
Provide structured performance management, mentoring, and feedback
Foster cross-functional collaboration for seamless programme execution
Cultivate relationships with schools, government bodies, education authorities, and travel partners
Serve as GSA’s main liaison with Chinese education organisations via platforms like WeChat
Support long-term partnerships between UK and Chinese educational institutions
Ensure cultural sensitivity and regulatory compliance in both countries
Maintain accurate documentation including itineraries, contracts, reports, and risk assessments
Utilise digital tools (e.g., HubSpot, Monday.com, Microsoft 365) for workflow and reporting
Coordinate virtual meetings, group communications, and programme updates
Lead post-trip reviews and drive continuous improvement based on feedback and KPIs
About Us
Mandarin Recruitment is a service that helps UK and China businesses & organisations find and source high-quality Mandarin-speaking professionals. We have unparalleled and exclusive channels to the Chinese speaking market, allowing us to be the leading organisation for specialist Mandarin recruitment.