Operations Director (COO)

About the Client

Our client, a partner of JobMatch, is a fast-growing travel company delivering distinctive and high-quality travel experiences across Vietnam. The organization is building a comprehensive tourism ecosystem connecting Vietnam with Russia and CIS markets, with the ambition to become a benchmark for international collaboration and innovation in the travel industry.

The company aims to transform tourism beyond traditional leisure into a holistic platform integrating education, wellness, business, and cultural exchange. Backed by a long-standing international tour operator with over three decades of experience, the business is focused on delivering fully integrated destination services with excellence and consistency.

Role Overview

The CEO will be responsible for defining the strategic direction and leading the overall operations of the business in Vietnam. This role acts as a critical bridge between international stakeholders and the local market, ensuring alignment, execution excellence, and sustainable growth.

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to scale the business, integrate strategic resources, and build a high-impact tourism ecosystem serving thousands of international travelers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Develop and execute the company’s strategic plan to achieve business objectives.

• Lead the development of a comprehensive tourism ecosystem with a diversified product portfolio.

• Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, including wellness tourism, educational tours, and corporate travel.

Partnership & Commercial Development

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with airlines, hotels, and travel service providers.

• Negotiate and finalize contracts with travel partners and suppliers.

• Secure bulk allotment agreements with hotel partners.

Operations Management

• Oversee end-to-end operations, including ground services, transportation, tours, and 24/7 customer support.

• Ensure seamless coordination between international sales/marketing teams and local operations in Vietnam.

• Maintain high-quality service standards across all customer touchpoints.

• Optimize operational costs while maintaining premium service delivery.

• Financial & Compliance Management

• Oversee cash flow management, payment processes, and financial reporting.

• Ensure compliance with relevant tax regulations in both Vietnam and international markets.

People & Culture

• Build and lead high-performing teams across operations, sales, customer service, and support functions.

• Foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity.

• Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with international leadership teams to ensure strategic alignment and execution.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with international leadership teams to ensure strategic alignment and execution.

Requirements

Must-have

• Fluency in English.

• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in travel, hospitality, or tourism.

• Proven track record in scaling and growing a business.

• Strong understanding of Russian traveler behavior and preferences.

• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred

• Native or fluent Russian speaker.

• Hands-on experience in the travel/tourism industry.

• Understanding of Vietnamese language and culture.

• Established network within Vietnam’s tourism sector.

• Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships.

Key Attributes

• Strategic Vision: Ability to see the big picture and inspire teams toward ambitious goals.

• Builder Mindset: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and building structures from the ground up.

• Cross-cultural Leadership: Strong understanding of both international and local cultural dynamics.

• Results-driven: Strong focus on achieving KPIs and delivering measurable outcomes.

• Resilience: Ability to manage challenges and complex situations effectively.

• Relationship Builder: Strong ability to build trust and develop long-term partnerships.