Travel Operations Coordinator
Product: EF Travel
Location: Panama City, Panama
A career with EF combines the support and opportunity of a large international organization with the spirit and energy of a small business. We look for thinkers and doers – creative, collaborative, and motivated people who are excited by education and travel.
EF Education First, the world leader in international education, is looking for a passionate, organized and hardworking Travel Operations Coordinator to join EF’s in-house travel agency. In this role, you will be a member of an energetic, multinational team with teammates in Panama and Boston, and report to the Manager of EF Travel’s Take Off Team.
Role Overview
As a Travel Operations Coordinator, you will be managing all flight aspects of ensuring our travelers are set-up and ready to travel for their tour. Most of these responsibilities will come in to play when the travelers are 45 days away from the start of their tour and have their flight tickets already issued. You will work with multiple EF products and airline representatives, ensuring that we meet all necessary guidelines. In addition, it is the Take Off Team’s responsibility to take ownership of all schedule changes that the airlines initiate to EF and work with those airlines to find the best alternative flight itineraries for our customers. You will also assist in resolving flight emergency situations while our travelers are on the road. This entry level position involves close cooperation with colleagues in our Sales, Land and Travel departments, as well as daily contact with airline suppliers.
The ideal candidate shows great attention to detail, creativity in their approach to problem solving, while being service-minded and determined to offer a beautiful customer experience.
This role provides additional compensation to cover required shifts out of normal business hours. Start date for this full-time position is September 1, 2025.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Flight Coordination – Monitoring and resolving airline schedule changes to ensure they meet our quality and budget guidelines from the moment a traveler is booked until they leave for their tour. Handling any late changes (cancellations, refunds, name changes, late adds, late special travel requests) that are submitted after ticketing. Quality Control – Gaining in-depth knowledge of airline contracts and various EF Products to ensure we are considering all possible flight and service options. Working with airline reservation systems as well as internal EF systems to manage bookings efficiently. Communication – Collaborating with teams across Travel and EF Products, and our airline partners, to book and make changes to existing flight reservations while maintaining positive relationships and outcomes for our customers. Administrative Coordination – Supporting your fellow Travel teammates with ancillary assignments as necessary to ensure that flights are delivered on time, on budget, and within quality guidelines. Department & Emergency Support – Ability to travel to and work from one of our EF offices abroad at least once each year. Taking 18-21 on-call shifts on weekends (overtime eligible) during the off-peak season of October through February and August.
Skills and Requirements
Able to prioritize traveler and internal requests to meet turnaround times and Service Level Agreements. A flexible mindset and excellent time management skills in a deadline-driven environment. Fluent in English and an excellent communicator both written and oral. A strong team player with the ability to jump in to help and support others throughout the season with a “nothing is impossible” attitude. A sound work ethic, self-accountability, and ability to work well both individually and in a team environment. A quick learner who understands that the Travel industry is unpredictable - you are prepared to ride the highs and lows. Energized by solving problems, thinking outside the box, and finding solutions that balance multiple priorities.Must be Panamanian or hold a work permit to work in Panama.
Collaboration and Expectations
Collaborate closely with Sales, Land Operations, and Travel teams across offices to resolve pre-tour emergencies.Maintain a strong team-oriented mindset, sharing knowledge, and supporting teammates.Flexibility to work irregular hours, including on-call shifts during low travel seasons.Commitment to EF’s core values.
What we offer
Join an amazing team of passionate individuals from across the globe.Hybrid Model – up to one day working from home per week after completion of initial training period.22 paid vacation days, in addition to 12 paid holidays. Comprehensive health insurance. Eligible after 3 month probation periodWorldclass office facilities that include parking, in-house gym, coffee stations, and collaboration spaces.Seasonal and monthly office events including Holiday parties, Summer Party, and Mix & Mingles.EF Product Discounts (discounts on travel, international language schools, childcare with our Au Pair product and more). Discounts at local venues and businesses. Receive guaranteed overtime compensation for any emergency shifts taken outside of office hours.The opportunity to expand your international network through our professional development opportunities with colleagues from around the world.
About EF
At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.
When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.
Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, Sydney, Panama and more. Learn more at https://www.ef.com