Operations & Project Management

Cruise Operations Manager

ForaNew York City🇺🇸United States

Why this role stands out

This hybrid role offers a competitive salary and the chance to shape the future of travel operations within a rapidly growing, award-winning company. You'll thrive here if you're a driven operations professional eager to leverage AI and contribute to a vibrant, mission-focused team dedicated to empowering travel entrepreneurs. Apply to join a company recognized for its innovation and build a rewarding career in a dynamic industry.

Quick overview

Salary$85k - $115k/yr

SeniorityMid Senior

Work modeHybrid

LocationNew York City, United States

Continuous ImprovementJiraData AnalysisProject Management

Job description

About Fora

Fora is the modern travel agency, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to build thriving travel advisory businesses. We're modernizing the $100B+ travel industry with AI woven through every part of the advisor's workflow, plus global supplier relationships, personalized training, and a vibrant community, all in one place. That's what lets advisors build businesses that scale, while their taste and service create trips no algorithm alone could plan. At the heart of it all is our mission: to help the next generation of travel entrepreneurs turn their love for travel into a fulfilling career, whether full-time or part-time.

We're mission-driven and obsessed with our customers, and we believe humans and AI are both essential: the best work here comes from people and technology at their best, together. That's not just a philosophy about our product, it's how we build our team. Everyone at Fora gets hands-on with frontier AI tooling as part of the job. At Fora, you'll learn to be AI-fluent, with real experience applying AI to solve problems day to day, wherever you sit in the company.

Founded in 2021, Fora has grown to a team of 250+ full-time employees based in downtown New York City. In 2026, we closed a $60 million Series D led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures, with continued backing from Thrive Capital, Insight Partners, and Heartcore Capital. We've been named a LinkedIn Top Startup (2024), one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies (2023 and 2025), and one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies (2026).

Come build something that hasn't existed before.

About The Role

Fora is seeking a Cruise Operations Manager to help power one of our fastest-growing business categories. As Fora’s cruise business continues to expand and we launch a new booking portal, this role will own the day-to-day execution of cruise operations, ensuring operational excellence while helping drive successful portal adoption across our advisor community.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Cruise Operations, this role will play a critical role in building and scaling the operational systems, workflows, and processes that support the growth of our cruise business. This is an opportunity to join at an exciting inflection point, taking ownership of a rapidly evolving operational function while partnering closely with cross-functional teams to improve efficiency, solve complex problems, and deliver an exceptional experience.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day execution of cruise operations, ensuring high-quality support and operational excellence across the function.
Manage operational workflows related to the cruise booking portal, helping ensure successful rollout, adoption, and ongoing optimization.
Lead multiple projects and operational initiatives simultaneously, driving work from planning through execution and continuous improvement.
Identify opportunities to improve processes at scale and implement solutions that increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
Monitor operational performance through reporting and data analysis, using insights to identify trends, surface opportunities, and inform decision-making.
Partner closely with the Senior Manager, Cruise Operations to support the continued growth and scaling of the cruise business.
Assist with group booking management, supporting group block setup, inventory tracking, deadlines, and cruise line coordination to help ensure accurate and timely group booking experiences.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Operations, Booking Platform, and other internal partners to improve systems, workflows, and operational outcomes.
Build clear, polished presentations that communicate operational updates, performance metrics, and recommendations to stakeholders.
Operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment, adapting quickly as new products, processes, and priorities emerge.

Requirements

3-5 years of experience in operations, project management, or a related business function.
Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple projects or operational workflows from end to end.
Strong analytical skills with experience pulling, interpreting, and acting on operational data and reporting.
Proven success designing, improving, and scaling operational processes.
Demonstrated ownership of a business function or operational area, with a proactive and accountable approach to execution.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across teams.
Experience working with operational systems and tools such as Jira, booking platforms, CRM systems, business intelligence tools, and spreadsheets.
Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage high-volume work.
Comfort working in ambiguity and adapting quickly in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Ability to work in the United States and be based in, or willing to relocate to, New York City.

Strongly Preferred

Experience in the travel industry, although travel experience is not required
Cruise industry or group booking operations experience
Experience in startup, marketplace, hospitality, or e-commerce operations
Experience creating executive-ready presentations that effectively communicate operational performance and recommendations

Compensation

Compensation for this role varies based on experience, with an indicative range of $85K–$115K + equity. Final compensation will depend on the level at which the candidate is hired, as we’re considering multiple levels for this role.

Unlimited vacation
Health Insurance (including an option completely covered by Fora HQ)
Dental & Vision Insurance
Wellhub Memberships
401k plan with company match
Commuter Benefits
Supplemental Life Insurance
Stock Options

This role is based in our beautiful New York City office (Tribeca/Fidi) with lots of natural light and great views.

Our Values

We’re forging our own path

Fora has always been about driving change within the industry. We’re not interested in maintaining the status quo.

We’re stronger together

Community is our cornerstone and collective power is our strength. We believe we can all go further when we operate together, using our combined leverage to unlock better opportunities and outcomes for our advisors, partners, and travelers.

We believe in technology

We believe technology is an answer to some of the most fundamental challenges the travel industry faces. We believe advancements in AI, bold investments in our platforms, and a world-class data infrastructure will transform the work of our advisors and our partners, while creating better travel experiences for travelers.

We’re here to serve

We operate in service of our community and believe that when they’re empowered to focus on what they do best, we all win. It’s why we relentlessly advocate for our advisors and prioritize their best interest every step of the way.

We mean business

Fora is equal parts fun, meaningful work and serious travel business. We’re unlocking opportunities for thousands of travel entrepreneurs, delivering a stream of high-quality guests at scale for our partners, and providing a superior travel experience for our travelers. It’s a better equation for the future of our industry.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Authorization to work in the United States is required for full-time roles based in our New York City office. Fora is unable to sponsor or assist with U.S. work authorization. Roles based outside of the United States are not subject to this requirement.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Fora is committed to an equitable hiring process and an inclusive work environment. BIPOC and traditionally underrepresented candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We will not discriminate and will take action to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other characteristic protected by law.