Guided Tours Operations Manager (Milan)

pstrongLocation: /strongMilan, Italy /ppstrongEmployment Type: /strongFull-Time /ppstrongCompensation: /strong€50,000–€60,000 gross annual salary, depending on experience, plus a performance-based bonus of up to 10%, plus a guiding rate of €35/hour for tours personally led (negotiable) /ppstrongCompany: /strongEmpire Tours Productions /ppbr / /ppstrongAbout the Role: /strongTour Guide City Manager / Site Manager /ppbr / /ppEmpire Tours Productions is seeking a hands-on, entrepreneurial City Manager to build and operate our growing Milan business. /ppThis person will essentially act as the local owner of Empire's Milan operation, with responsibility for people, products, partners, customer experience and day-to-day performance. This is a build-from-scratch role: the candidate will work directly with Empire's team to research, write, develop and test the tour portfolio we launch in Milan — and will personally guide tours as one of Empire's first guides there while the local guide team is hired and trained. /ppWe are looking for someone who enjoys building an operation rather than simply inheriting one. /ppbr / /ppstrongKey Responsibilities /strong /pulliOversee Empire's daily Milan tour and experience operations. /liliWork with Empire's team to research, write, test and launch Milan's tour portfolio from scratch — this is a hands-on product-development role, not managing an existing lineup. /liliPersonally guide tours as one of Empire's first guides in Milan during launch and ramp-up, until the local guide team is hired and trained. /liliRecruit, train, schedule and manage tour guides and operational staff. /liliMaintain high standards for customer experience and tour quality. /liliDevelop relationships with attractions, venues, hotels, restaurants, transportation companies and other tourism partners. /liliIdentify opportunities for exclusive inventory, partnerships, combinations and ancillary revenue. /liliManage scheduling, staffing levels, guide performance and operational logistics. /liliMonitor product-level sales and financial performance. /liliWork with Empire's marketing and distribution teams to improve product performance. /liliEnsure operational issues are identified and resolved quickly. /liliAssist Empire leadership with future expansion into additional Italian cities. /liliDevelop local processes that can eventually be replicated elsewhere in Italy. /li /ulpbr / /ppstrongIdeal Candidate /strong /ppWe are looking for a highly energetic operator who enjoys tourism, hospitality and building businesses. Candidates with experience in tours, attractions, hotels, travel companies, events, destination management companies, museums, transportation or other customer-facing businesses are particularly encouraged to apply. /ppbr / /ppstrongQualifications /strong /pullistrongCertified/licensed Tour Guide in Italy (required) /strong — an important condition of employment, given the need to personally guide tours, especially during the early launch period. /lilistrongFully bilingual in English and Italian (required). /strong /liliPrior operational or management experience. /liliStrong knowledge of Milan. /liliExperience hiring, supervising or developing staff. /liliExcellent problem-solving and organizational skills. /liliComfortable working in a fast-moving environment. /liliStrong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities. /liliEntrepreneurial mindset and willingness to take ownership. /liliAbility to work hands-on rather than manage exclusively from an office. /li /ulpbr / /ppstrongCompensation Growth /strong /pulliBase: €50,000–€60,000 depending on experience. /liliThe position will also be eligible for a performance bonus of up to 10% tied to agreed operating and financial targets. /liliGuiding rate: €35/hour for tours personally led (negotiable), in addition to base salary and bonus. /liliEmpire is expanding rapidly throughout Europe, and a successful Milan City Manager could ultimately take responsibility for additional Italian cities, special projects, new-market openings or broader Italian operations. /li /ul