INDIA - Corporate Operations Manager

About the job

Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™.

Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Corporate Operations Manager (COM) India is responsible for the successful establishment, launch, and ongoing management of Viking River Cruises’ India operation, starting with two new river vessels operating on the Brahmaputra River.

As India represents a new operating region for Viking River Cruises, the COM India will play a critical role in establishing the local operation and leading the successful introduction of this new product, with the first vessel scheduled to launch in Fall 2027. Following launch, the role will assume full responsibility for overseeing daily operations to ensure an outstanding guest experience, strict adherence to Viking standards and achievement of defined KPIs and financial targets.

The candidate would be ideally based in India or South East Asia, enabling extensive travel (up to approximately 70%) to vessels, suppliers, partners, and operational sites. Regular travel to the Basel Head Office is required for alignment, reporting, and strategic coordination.

The position is part of the Viking River Cruises Corporate Operations team and reports directly to the Director Onboard Operations, based in Basel, Switzerland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Stakeholder management

• Acting as the operational lead for the region, the COM India will:

• Directly lead and support the onboard management teams and the crew onboard all of the India based vessels

• Work closely with the Managing Director of the local Viking office in Guwahati to support the establishment and coordination of local operations and full compliance with any applicable regulation.

• Build and manage partnerships with key local suppliers required for hotel operations

• Liaise closely with all actors involved in the opening to ensure the launch is a success

• Collaborate extensively with Viking Head Office departments in Basel, including Onboard Operations, HR, Purchasing, Finance, Product, and Land Operations

A s the position is expected to lead two closely interconnected phases with slightly different responsibilities, here is an overview of what each of the phase entails.

Pre-opening phase (2026+2027)

• Lead the end to end operational project plan for the India launch, including timelines, budgets, milestones, dependencies, and risk management

• Coordinate all operational workstreams required for launch across Corporate functions and local stakeholders

• Support final product definition and lead the development, adaptation, and implementation of all required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Support recruitment, training and onboarding for all hotel crew

• Design and establish a reliable local supplier ecosystem and supply chain for operational consumables, services, and equipment.

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and service level agreements with vendors in alignment with Corporate Operations and Purchasing

• Ensure readiness across food & health safety, security, medical, compliance, and guest experience standards prior to launch

• Prepare regular progress updates for senior leadership and proactively escalate risks or challenges

Post-opening phase (Fall 2027 and onwards)

• Oversee the full guest journey to ensure smooth daily operations and excellent guest satisfaction

• Ensure all operations align with Viking brand standards, procedures, and guest experience expectations through audits and reviews

• Drive achievement of quality KPIs and NPS targets

• Own responsibility for achieving onboard and shore excursion revenue targets

• Ensure operations are delivered within approved cost and investment budgets (F&B, Rooms Division, equipment, furniture, and operational controllables)

• Support onboard leadership teams and collaborate with Corporate stakeholders; participate in operational pilot projects and initiatives

• Lead the local operational organization, ensuring clear communication, strong collaboration, and effective interfaces between vessels, local office, and partners

• Conduct performance evaluations of onboard management teams, covering people leadership, service quality, and operational execution

• Drive talent management initiatives, including identification, development, training, and retention of current and future leaders

• Actively manage deviations, disruptions, and operational incidents, coordinating rapid and effective recovery to protect guest satisfaction

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of senior operational leadership experience in hospitality, ideally at Corporate or multi unit level

• Solid understanding of financials (profit & loss, budgets) from an operational perspective

• Proven track record in defining guest experiences and brand standards / SOPs

• Strong exposure to, or experience working within, the Indian or South East Asian cultural and business environment

Leadership & Functional Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of hotel operations, with particular strength in F&B

• Experience serving guests within Viking’s target demographic is a strong advantage

• Project management, organizational, and communication skills

• Proven ability to implement corporate initiatives and projects in diverse operating environments

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead both directly and through influence

• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship building capabilities

Personal & Interpersonal Attributes

• Professional appearance and demeanor

• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken); additional languages are an asset

• Strong guest focus with a passion for exceptional service delivery

• Positive, resilient, and flexible mindset with a hands on, solution oriented approach

• High cultural intelligence and strong interpersonal skills

• Understanding of / experience with Indian culture is a strong plus

• Collaborative team player with a proactive, self-driven working style

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure in a new market

• Strong computer literacy (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

• Ability to work independently as well as in a remote, matrix organization

• Flexibility to work extended and irregular hours, including weekends

• Willingness to travel extensively and spend significant time in India

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply via our website www.vikingcareers.com, including your CV in English and a one-page cover letter to introduce yourself and your interest for the role.

*Unsolicited submissions of candidates from agencies will not be considered*