About Arabian Wanderers
Arabian Wanderers is a Dubai-based adventure travel company offering unique outdoor experiences across the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Socotra, and other destinations.
We organize small-group adventures, private trips, corporate team-building experiences, and school outdoor programmes, with a strong focus on safety, guest experience, and operational excellence.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced, highly organized, and proactive Operations Manager based in Lebanon to lead the planning, coordination, and continuous improvement of our operations.
About the Role
This is a full-time, remote leadership position based in Lebanon, reporting directly to the Founder & Managing Director.
The Operations Manager will be responsible for ensuring that our trips and events are properly planned, staffed, coordinated, and delivered to consistently high standards.
You will lead operational planning and systems, coordinate closely with our UAE-based Operations Supervisor and international partners, and take ownership of operational performance, processes, costs, and team accountability.
We are looking for someone who doesn't simply react to problems but anticipates challenges, creates efficient processes, and ensures everything runs smoothly without constant supervision.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Planning & Execution
- Oversee operational planning and coordination for all group trips, private experiences, school programmes, and corporate events.
- Ensure every trip is fully prepared, including staffing, transport, accommodation, meals, equipment, suppliers, permits, and other logistical requirements.
- Coordinate with the UAE Operations Supervisor to ensure smooth on-ground execution.
- Oversee operational arrangements with local partners and suppliers across Oman, Jordan, Socotra, and other destinations.
- Identify potential operational issues in advance and implement solutions before they affect the guest experience.
SOPs, Systems & Process Improvement
- Develop, document, implement, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all operational activities.
- Establish trip-readiness checklists, operational workflows, reporting systems, and accountability frameworks.
- Build and maintain operational dashboards and trackers to monitor trip readiness, staffing, suppliers, expenses, incidents, and performance.
- Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency improvements, and cost optimization.
- Reduce operational errors, last-minute issues, and dependence on the Founder for day-to-day decisions.
Team Management & Coordination
- Manage and coordinate the work of the UAE Operations Supervisor, operational support staff, and relevant freelance teams.
- Oversee Adventure Leader and Outdoor Instructor recruitment, training coordination, scheduling, and performance monitoring.
- Ensure clear responsibilities, deadlines, and accountability across the operations team.
- Work closely with Sales and Customer Experience to ensure smooth handovers from confirmed bookings to trip execution.
- Conduct regular operations meetings and performance reviews.
Supplier Management & Cost Control
- Source, evaluate, negotiate with, and manage suppliers across our destinations.
- Maintain reliable supplier relationships and identify backup options for critical services.
- Monitor operational expenses, supplier pricing, and trip-level profitability.
- Ensure expenses follow company approval procedures and budgets.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins without compromising safety or guest experience.
Safety, Quality & Guest Experience
- Ensure risk assessments, safety procedures, waivers, and emergency protocols are properly documented, communicated, and implemented.
- Coordinate with field teams to maintain consistent safety and service standards.
- Monitor guest feedback, operational incidents, and service quality.
- Investigate recurring issues, identify root causes, and implement preventive measures.
- Ensure consistent operational standards across destinations and types of experiences.
Reporting & Performance
- Prepare weekly operational reports covering upcoming trips, readiness, staffing, risks, and outstanding actions.
- Track key operational KPIs and recommend improvements.
- Provide monthly updates on operational costs, efficiency, supplier performance, and customer feedback.
- Take ownership of operational priorities and ensure projects are completed on time.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in operations, including experience managing teams and improving processes.
- Proven experience in an Operations Manager or similar leadership role.
- Strong planning, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Demonstrated experience developing SOPs, workflows, dashboards, and operational reporting.
- Experience managing suppliers, budgets, and operational costs.
- Ability to lead remote and on-ground teams effectively.
- Excellent communication skills and fluency in English.
- Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, spreadsheets, and operational management tools.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and take full ownership of responsibilities.
- Based in Lebanon, with availability to coordinate during UAE business hours.
- Flexibility to support weekend operations when required and travel internationally when necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in travel, tourism, hospitality, outdoor adventures, events, or logistics.
- Experience coordinating operations across multiple countries.
- Familiarity with booking systems, including Bókun.
- Experience managing school programmes, corporate events, or group travel.
- Arabic language proficiency.
What We're Looking For
Beyond experience, we are looking for someone who is:
- Proactive rather than reactive.
- Highly detail-oriented and organized.
- Comfortable taking responsibility and making decisions.
- A strong leader who can hold team members accountable.
- Analytical, commercially minded, and focused on efficiency.
- Capable of building scalable systems and processes.
- Passionate about travel, outdoor experiences, and delivering excellent customer experiences.
What We Offer
- Full-time remote position based in Lebanon.
- Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing adventure travel company.
- Direct collaboration with the Founder and management team.
- Exposure to unique destinations and international operations.
- Opportunity to build and lead operational systems as the company expands.
- A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with significant responsibility and room for growth.
