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About the Role

As Production Specialist, you are the operational backbone of a specialized portfolio that includes STEM tours, Career Readiness Tours and Customized itineraries. You own the full Production aspect of the tour life cycle from allocation to on-tour Tour Director support as well as managing supplier relationships for partners that serve your portfolio. You will also get a taste of building tours by being the main APAC builder of Customized Tours. This role requires close, ongoing collaboration with counterpart teams in overseas offices such as Boston and Denver. You will be a skilled stakeholder coordinator, translating operational realities into clear communication for partners across time zones and functions, ensuring every stakeholder has what they need to deliver an exceptional student experience.

Responsibilities

Manage your tour portfolio end-to-end, from allocation through Tour Director support
Execute Customized and Specialized itineraries, coordinating components to deliver on the tour vision
Proactively review tour details to ensure smooth flow, consistency, and alignment with product standards
Act as the primary APAC builder for Customized Tours, owning the end-to-end construction of itineraries through to operational readiness
Own relationships with suppliers unique to the portfolio, including sourcing, contracting, and ongoing performance management
Negotiate competitive rates without compromising quality or authenticity
Ensure all contracts, bookings, invoices, and supplier communications are well-managed and compliant
Partner with Sales counterparts to support expert product knowledge and pre-departure customer preparation
Collaborate cross-departmentally with the Product Team, Tour Optimization, Procurement, and Regional Office
Conduct pre-tour calls with Tour Directors, ensuring they are fully equipped with all operational information
Serve as the primary on-tour point of contact for operational issues; delegate tasks and problem-solve in real time to minimize disruption
Track unexpected tour expenses and work with internal stakeholders to ensure timely Tour Director reimbursement
Actively incorporate Tour Director feedback into planning and continuous improvement
Monitor and respond to customer evaluations; identify trends and drive corrective action
Work with the Safety Incident and Response team to assess risks and mitigate issues on tour
Manage all Salesforce tasks and deadlines related to your portfolio KPIs
Build and maintain deep local knowledge of the Japan tourism landscape, including STEM venues, cultural institutions, and specialized suppliers
Partner with the Product team to identify market opportunities and contribute to itinerary innovation
Keep all operational documentation accurate and up to date
Collaborate with regional and global teams to develop and refine Customized Tour builds, bringing local Japan expertise to the design process

Requirements

Candidates Must have the legal right to live and work in Japan

Skills

Proven track record of providing excellent customer service
Fluency in English and Japanese required
High level of accuracy while working under pressure, managing competing priorities, and consistently meeting deadlines
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong analytical skills
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Suite

Location

Japan

Work Type

Full-Time
Permanent

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in business, economics, or tourism
Experience in the travel, tourism, educational travel, or online travel agency industry, along with a strong interest and network in these fields, is preferred

About the Company

Founded in 1965, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that shares a common mission of opening the world through education, offering language, academic, cultural exchange and education travel programs.
For 60 years we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and culturally rich travel experiences with the power to change how people think, feel and act.
The programs we deliver open the world to students and travellers in ways that challenge biases, overcome barriers, and pave the way for a more understanding world.
You’ll find us working across more than 50 countries, with offices in some of the world’s greatest cities—each one filled with smart, driven people who push each other to be better every day.
At EF, we’re in the business of understanding.