PpThe 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. /p pAs India represents a new operating region for Viking River Cruises, the COM India will play a critical role in establishing the local operationand 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. /p pThe 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. /p pThe position is part of the Viking River Cruises Corporate Operations team and reports directly to the Director Onboard Operations, based in Basel, Switzerland. /p h3KEY RESPONSIBILITIES /h3 ul liActing as the operational lead for the region, the COM India will: /li liDirectly lead and support the onboard management teams and the crew onboard all of the India based vessels /li liWork 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. /li liBuild and manage partnerships with key local suppliers required for hotel operations /li liLiaise closely with all actors involved in the opening to ensure the launch is a success /li liCollaborate extensively with Viking Head Office departments in Basel, including Onboard Operations, HR, Purchasing, Finance, Product, and Land Operations /li /ul h3Pre-opening phase (2026+2027) /h3 ul liLead the end to end operational project plan for the India launch, including timelines, budgets, milestones, dependencies, and risk management /li liCoordinate all operational workstreams required for launch across Corporate functions and local stakeholders /li liSupport final product definition and lead the development, adaptation, and implementation of all required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) /li liSupport recruitment, training and onboarding for all hotel crew /li liDesign and establish a reliable local supplier ecosystem and supply chain for operational consumables, services, and equipment. /li liNegotiate contracts, pricing, and service level agreements with vendors in alignment with Corporate Operations and Purchasing /li liEnsure readiness across food health safety, security, medical, compliance, and guest experience standards prior to launch /li liPrepare regular progress updates for senior leadership and proactively escape risks or challenges /li /ul h3Post-opening phase (Fall 2027 and onwards) /h3 ul liOversee the full guest journey to ensure smooth daily operations and excellent guest satisfaction /li liEnsure all operations align with Viking brand standards, procedures, and guest experience expectations through audits and reviews /li liDrive achievement of quality KPIs and NPS targets /li liOwn responsibility for achieving onboard and shore excursion revenue targets /li liEnsure operations are delivered within approved cost and investment budgets (FB, Rooms Division, equipment, furniture, and operational controllables) /li liSupport onboard leadership teams and collaborate with Corporate stakeholders; participate in operational pilot projects and initiatives /li liLead the local operational organization, ensuring clear communication, strong collaboration, and effective interfaces between vessels, local office, and partners /li liConduct performance evaluations of onboard management teams, covering people leadership, service quality, and operational execution /li liDrive talent management initiatives, including identification, development, training, and retention of current and future leaders /li liActively manage deviations, disruptions, and operational incidents, coordinating rapid and effective recovery to protect guest satisfaction /li liMinimum 5 years of senior operational leadership experience in hospitality, ideally at Corporate or multi unit level /li liSolid understanding of financials (profit loss, budgets) from an operational perspective /li liProven track record in defining guest experiences and brand standards / SOPs /li liStrong exposure to, or experience working within, the Indian or South East Asian cultural and business environment /li /ul h3Leadership Functional Skills /h3 ul liComprehensive understanding of hotel operations, with particular strength in FB /li liExperience serving guests within Viking’s target demographic is a strong advantage /li liProject management, organizational, and communication skills /li liProven ability to implement corporate initiatives and projects in diverse operating environments /li liStrong leadership presence with the ability to lead both directly and through influence /li liExcellent stakeholder management and relationship building capabilities /li /ul h3Personal Interpersonal Attributes /h3 ul liProfessional appearance and demeanor /li liExcellent English language skills (written and spoken); additional languages are an asset /li liStrong guest focus with a passion for exceptional service delivery /li liPositive, resilient, and flexible mindset with a hands on, solution oriented approach /li liHigh cultural intelligence and strong interpersonal skills /li liUnderstanding of / experience with Indian culture is a strong plus /li liCollaborative team player with a proactive, self-driven working style /li liComfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure in a new market /li liAbility to work independently as well as in a remote, matrix organization /li liFlexibility to work extended and irregular hours, including weekends /li liWillingness to travel extensively and spend significant time in India /li /ul /p #J-18808-Ljbffr