Managing Director

Job Description

1. Yusen Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd., a travel agency under the Nippon Yusen Group, based in Singapore and providing diverse travel services, is currently seeking a Managing Director to oversee the Singapore entity. The Managing Director will be responsible for directing and managing the core functions of the company, including sales, procurement, and logistics, and overseeing all business operations in line with the Nippon Yusen Group's strategy. This role requires a strategist and leader who can guide the company toward the most profitable direction while working alongside the board of directors from the Japan headquarters to implement long-term goals.

2. Prepare annual budget, submit quarterly business plans, and provide monthly performance reports to global headquarter in Japan. Additionally, perform monthly outstanding receivables management and expense reconciliation with the headquarters to ensure precise financial control. This role also includes employee performance evaluations and salary assessments.

3. Sales of business travel packages and group travel packages to existing corporate clients in ASEAN region and Japan. Your responsibilities will not only include sales to existing customers but also significantly involve new business development with prospective customers in the aforementioned regions. Furthermore, to attract new clients, the role requires active participation in meetings, seminars, and networking events, followed by thorough follow-up to create sales opportunities.

4. Utilize the Sabre system, a global distribution system for managing travel-related bookings, to oversee flight reservations and flight change procedures. Establish and guide a responsive system to handle various inquiries from Japanese corporate clients based in Singapore regarding visas, transportation arrangements, hotel bookings, Japanese delivery services, and leisure travel. Additionally, manage and supervise complex travel arrangements, including circle trips and around-the-world itineraries, ensuring efficient and accurate booking and coordination.

5. Oversee and manage the entire tour arrangement process for group travelers visiting Singapore from Japan, as well as for group travelers departing from Singapore to Japan. This includes proposing, quoting, and arranging hotels, transportation, guides, and sightseeing facilities, along with providing on-site support to ensure the smooth execution of the tour on the day of the event.

6. Provide 24-hour emergency English and Japanese support for business travel clients, handling urgent travel needs such as last-minute departures, changes, and cancellations, regardless of weekdays, weekends, or holidays.

Job Requirements

1. More than 20 years of experience in the Travel and Tourism Industry or related industries, with at least 5 years in a management role overseeing the entire organization. Suitable candidates should have relevant experience within the last three years.

2. At least 5 years of experience in a senior management role overseeing financial and overall corporate management of an overseas subsidiary based on IFRS or Japanese accounting standards, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to Japan headquarters for Singapore operations. Specific responsibilities should include employee performance evaluations, salary assessments, budget planning, business plan development, and monitoring progress. Suitable candidates are expected to have experience in reporting directly to the management of a global headquarters.

3. Over 20 years of sales experience in the travel or transportation industry, with at least 10 years of experience as a Manager and above, including both existing corporate client management and new corporate client acquisition. Suitable candidates should have a proven track record not only in servicing existing clients but also in expanding business through new client acquisition, with a focus on clients in the ASEAN region and Japan.

4. Over 10 years of experience managing and supervising a team using Sabre, a global distribution system for travel booking and arrangements, including flight reservations, circle trips, and multi-fare calculations for travel between third countries. Suitable candidates is expected to have extensive experience in overseeing complex travel arrangements such as circle trips and around-the-world itineraries, as well as a strong knowledge of visa requirements for various countries, airline operations, and airport protocols.

5. Over 10 years of experience in managing and overseeing the entire process of tour arrangements for corporate clients, business travelers, and group tours from Japan, including sales proposals, quotations, bookings, on-site management, and troubleshooting. Experience in planning, promoting, and executing charter services for cruise ships of 20,000 tons or more will be an added advantage.

6. Business-level proficiency in English and Japanese (equivalent to JLPT N1) is required to manage sales operation and make negotiations to senior management of key clients, report to management and stakeholders of Japan HQ, and provide emergency support in Japanese for tasks such as flight changes and fare calculations for Japanese tour group clients.

7. Practical experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, will be an added advantage.