Guide Manager - Rome

Job Title: Guide Manager Location: Rome, Italy Company: City Wonders Overview: City Wonders, a leading tour company renowned for providing exceptional experiences, is seeking a dynamic and skilled professional to join our Guide Management team in Rome. Reporting into the Head of Guide Management, the ideal candidate will be fluent in both written and verbal English and Italian, and possess a deep understanding of the Rome tourism sector. This role is pivotal in recruiting, retaining, and developing independent tour guides, ensuring they choose to work with City Wonders whilst ensuring they provide exceptional experiences for our guests. Key Responsibilities:Recruitment & Retention:Identify and recruit top-tier tour guides who are passionate about Rome's rich history and culture. Be an “outside of the box” thinker regarding recruitment and relationship-building processes.Develop and implement retention strategies to maintain a high-quality pool of guides.Manage our guide database ensuring communication channels are kept open and that we have the most up to date information regarding their availability.Promote City Wonders as the preferred choice for tour guides through persuasive communication and relationship-building.Be proactive in your recruitment strategy using forecasting tools and working closely with other internal departments to ensure all needs are met.Communicating “red alert” situations re possible lack of guide availability as early as possible, in a clear and concise manner to ensure all key stakeholders are fully aware of potential future issues. Relationship Building:Establish and nurture long-term business relationships with tour guides, industry stakeholders and internal stakeholders.Act as a liaison between City Wonders and independent tour guides, ensuring clear and consistent communication.Foster a collaborative and positive working environment to enhance guide satisfaction, build a sense of community, and garner guide loyalty through monthly aperitivos, and team building events, etc. Training & Development:Design and conduct training programs to ensure guides meet City Wonders' high standards of excellence.Provide ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance guides' skills and knowledge.Evaluate guide performance and offer constructive feedback for continuous improvement.o  Routinely participate in tours as an observer for quality purposes to ensure we are providing quality experiences for guests.o  Ensure timely follow-up to guide’s questions or inquiries. Negotiation & Persuasion:Utilize strong negotiation skills to secure the best independent contractors as guides for City Wonders.Persuade potential and existing guides of the benefits of working with City Wonders.Handle any disputes or issues with diplomacy and effective problem-solving. Industry Knowledge:Stay updated on the latest trends and developments in the Rome tourism sector.Use industry insights to inform recruitment, training, and retention strategies.Develop and maintain a successful collaborative relationship with provincial, regional, and national public tourism authorities and be updated with current laws and regulations on issuing of licences. Qualifications:Excellent communication skills, both oral and written in English and Italian.Good presenter and ability to be persuasive.Proven experience in recruitment and retention within a high-turnover industry.Strong background in training and development, with a focus on continuous improvement.Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills.Demonstrated ability to build and maintain lasting business relationships.Ability to manage teams and to provide coaching and mentoring where necessary.In-depth knowledge of the Rome tourism sector.Experience in the hospitality sector and/or sales is highly desirable.Proficient in organizational and communication skills.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data to identify gaps and needs in the business.Ability to work independently and as part of a team.Track record of meeting or exceeding goals.Strong strategic ability to ensure forward planning.Working knowledge and experience with key Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be based in Rome. What We Offer:Competitive salary and benefits package.Opportunities for professional growth and development.A supportive and collaborative work environment.The chance to be part of a passionate team dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences. Application Process:Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and why they are the ideal candidate for this role.Join City Wonders and help us continue to provide exceptional tours that inspire and delight our guests. Apply today!