Trip Development Assistant

About the role:

The Trip Development Assistant plays a key role within several Trip Development teams, supporting the successful research, development, and launch of new trips. This role partners closely with TD Directors and Program Managers while collaborating across Hotel Operations, Yield Operations, Sales, and Marketing to help ensure projects stay on track and milestones are met.

This role serves as a central operational resource for the department, supporting go-to-market processes, coordinating research and administrative tasks, maintaining calendars and documentation, and supporting cross-functional initiatives tied to new trip launches. The ideal candidate is a proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. They bring strong time management, clear communication skills, and a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset that will help create structure, drive efficiency, and support high-quality execution across the Trip Development team.

What you'll be doing:

• Support the New Trips team on go-to-market tasks by ensuring all trip content inputs are accurate and complete to meet key deadlines
• Administrative support for new trip research and scheduling
• Project work, audits and periodic reporting, as needed
• Schedule and support Trip Development department meetings, including setup, logistical support and note-taking for department meetings and events
• Manage TD team Outlook calendars to ensure all events and due dates are reflected and communicated
• Support New Hotel Assistance team with annual processes such as vendor gift planning, vendors visits and webinars
• Support New Hotel Assistance team in maintaining memberships, subscriptions and process documentation around industry events
• Support TD Directors and Managers with general administrative assistance and special projects as needed

What you'll need to be successful:

• Very strong attention to detail and follow-through You bring a track record of completing tasks in a timely manner accurately, thoughtfully and thoroughly.
• Tenacity and critical thinking. Demonstrated ability to engage, dig deep and wide to solve issues and seek to provide proactive support.
• Strong Communicator. Clear, concise, and professional communication to stakeholders.
• Efficient and organized time manager. You can juggle tasks and handle the pressure of meeting multiple and sometimes competing deadlines.
• Quick learner. You pride yourself as someone who can quickly develop a thorough understanding of Backroads, that requires you to be conversant in our systems, guidelines, and terminology.
• Proven ability to work independently, with a team, and comfort with ambiguity. You will be collaborating across internal teams and sometimes work on projects without significant support or structure.
• Problem-Solver. As an action-oriented self-starter, you’re eager to apply your critical thinking in diagnosing inefficiencies and recommending solutions to complex challenges.
• Credible. Ability to quickly develop a thorough understanding of Backroads business to establish trust and credibility as a reliable resource.
• Personable and professional. Ability to establish and nurture highly effective relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders at all levels within the organization that support and advance project goals and objectives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with Jira preferred, not required.

About the department:

The Trip Development department plays a critical role within Backroads, supporting trip design & trip development. The team ensures the highest level of quality is always being upheld to deliver exceptional guest experiences. The department is comprised of teams based in Berkeley, CA, Utrecht, NL, and a global field-based team. The New Trip Pipeline (NTP) team is part of our greater Trip Development department, and is responsible for managing the development and go-to-market workflows for new and redesigned trips at Backroads, and plays a key role in content and support for these efforts to provide the best guest experience possible.  

About Backroads:

At Backroads we’re passionate about connecting our guests with so many of the most beautiful places in the world. We use our four-plus decades of expertise to create exceptional biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips in over 50 countries for people wanting a deeper and richer travel experience. We travel on land as well as by small luxury ships on active river and ocean cruises. Our trips are for all ages – including dedicated itineraries just for families. We are known for our unwavering attention to quality. We have a dynamic work environment and a strong company culture.

Why Backroads:

At Backroads, we value every single member of our staff, and we’re proud to offer a dynamic work environment that enables growth. Your colleagues will be some of the most dedicated, competent, active, and fun people you will ever meet. A job at Backroads is unlike any other job you will ever have – you will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be gratified. No matter what you do here, you will be part of something that makes us all proud – delivering authentic, enriching, and often profoundly life-changing experiences. On top of all that, we have some pretty great benefits and perks! For example our US office employees receive: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match, flex plan, and parental leave
• Generous paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and additional time off to go on Backroads trips!
• Complimentary trips and trip discounts for employees, and trip discounts for employees’ friends and family!
• Outdoor industry discounts and deals
• Alternative commuter incentives for biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transportation to get to work
• Wellness programs and regular lunchtime bike rides and yoga

Backroads is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Salary Ranges: