Head of Operations and Guide Management – Chile
Company: OneSeed Expeditions Privada Limitada
Location: Remote; must reside in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, Chile
Employment type: Year-round salaried position with an indefinite Chilean employment contract
Schedule: Seasonal workload; structured under Article 22, paragraph two
Start date: As soon as possible
Reports to: Head of Operations based in the United States
About OneSeed Expeditions
OneSeed Expeditions is an international adventure travel company specializing in professionally guided trekking and active travel experiences. Our Chilean operations are conducted through OneSeed Expeditions Privada Limitada and are focused primarily on Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park.
We are seeking an experienced tourism professional to lead our Chilean operations, coordinate our network of independent guides, manage local suppliers and ensure that every expedition is delivered safely, efficiently and according to OneSeed’s service standards.
Position Overview
The Head of Operations and Guide Management is responsible for the successful delivery of OneSeed expeditions in Chile.
This position manages the complete operational process, including guide assignments, hotel and refugio reservations, transportation, supplier coordination, local payments and expedition readiness. The role also maintains, evaluates and assigns OneSeed’s network of independent guide service providers.
The successful candidate will have extensive decision-making authority within approved company policies and budgets. This includes confirming arrangements with suppliers, making reservations, assigning guides and scheduling local payments.
The position requires strong practical knowledge of tourism operations in Chile, professional fluency in English and Spanish, exceptional organization and first-hand guiding experience in Torres del Paine.
Principal Responsibilities
Expedition Operations
Coordinate the complete operational delivery of OneSeed expeditions in Chile.
Manage hotel, refugio, campground, transportation and activity reservations.
Confirm that all services are properly reserved and documented before each expedition.
Maintain accurate operating calendars, passenger information, service confirmations and trip records.
Monitor expeditions in progress and coordinate responses to operational changes, delays and emergencies.
Support the operation of large private groups and special departures when required.
Identify opportunities to improve service quality, operating efficiency and traveler experience.
Guide Management
Maintain and develop OneSeed’s network of independent guide service providers.
Select and assign guides based on expedition requirements, availability, credentials and performance.
Communicate assignments, operating details and relevant traveler information.
Verify that guides maintain all required registrations, certifications, first-aid training and supporting documentation.
Evaluate guide performance through traveler feedback, operational results and post-expedition reviews.
Provide constructive feedback and maintain consistent service and safety standards.
Recruit and evaluate new guides as operational needs change.
Supplier Management
Serve as OneSeed’s principal day-to-day contact for hotels, refugios, transportation companies, activity providers and other Chilean suppliers.
Develop strong, professional and collaborative supplier relationships.
Confirm rates, availability, reservation terms, payment deadlines and cancellation conditions.
Negotiate and confirm supplier arrangements within delegated authority and approved budgets.
Resolve service issues promptly and document agreed solutions.
Maintain current supplier contacts, agreements, rate sheets and payment information.
Financial and Administrative Control
Coordinate and schedule payments to suppliers and independent guide service providers.
Maintain accurate supporting documentation for local operating expenses and payments.
Monitor reservation deposits, payment deadlines and cancellation exposure.
Assist with cash-flow planning for upcoming expeditions.
Reconcile operating payments and provide documentation to OneSeed’s accounting team.
Exercise appropriate control over company bank access, payment approvals and sensitive financial information.
Report budget variances, unexpected costs and material financial risks promptly.
International Team Coordination
Communicate regularly with OneSeed’s sales and operations teams in the United States.
Provide clear and timely updates regarding availability, reservations, supplier issues and expedition readiness.
Translate operational information between English- and Spanish-speaking partners when necessary.
Participate in regular planning and operations meetings.
Ensure that OneSeed’s CRM, reservation systems and shared operating tools remain accurate and current.
Decision-Making Authority
This is a senior operational position with substantial autonomy. Within established budgets, policies and approval limits, the employee will be authorized to:
Confirm reservations and operating arrangements.
Assign and replace independent guide service providers.
Confirm supplier agreements and rates.
Schedule approved supplier and guide payments.
Resolve routine operational problems without prior approval.
Make time-sensitive decisions necessary to protect traveler safety and expedition continuity.
Material contractual commitments, unbudgeted expenses and significant changes to published itineraries must be escalated to the Head of Operations.
Required Qualifications
Professional fluency in both Spanish and English, written and spoken.
Relevant experience in tourism or adventure-travel operations in Chile.
Practical professional guiding experience in Torres del Paine National Park.
Strong understanding of trekking operations, refugios, transportation and tourism logistics in Patagonia.
Current guiding credentials applicable to trekking or adventure tourism in Chile.
Current SERNATUR registration applicable to trekking or adventure tourism.
Valid Wilderness First Aid certification or higher, with documentation meeting applicable remote-area first-aid requirements.
Valid Chilean Class B driver’s license or equivalent authorization valid in Chile.
Legal authorization to work in Chile.
Strong computer skills and demonstrated ability to learn new software.
Experience using spreadsheets, cloud-based collaboration tools, reservation systems or CRM platforms.
Excellent organization, attention to detail and follow-through.
Sound judgment, financial integrity and the ability to handle confidential information.
Ability to work independently and make practical decisions under time pressure.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience as a professional guide in Torres del Paine.
Established working relationships with suppliers in Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine.
Experience coordinating and evaluating independent guides.
Experience with hotel, refugio and transportation reservations.
Experience coordinating remote teams across different countries or time zones.
Familiarity with financial reconciliation, supplier payments and operating budgets.
Experience supporting large groups, trade events or tourism-industry events.
Formal university education is valued but not required. Relevant operational and guiding experience will be given significant consideration.
Work Location and Travel
This is a remote position, but the employee must reside in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas. Regular proximity to OneSeed’s principal Patagonia suppliers and operating areas is an essential requirement.
Travel requirements are limited but may include:
Supporting large or operationally complex groups.
Meeting with suppliers or guides.
Inspecting services or operating routes.
Attending trade events, training or company meetings.
Approved business travel expenses will be covered by the company.
Schedule and Seasonal Workload
This position has substantial functional autonomy and is structured under Article 22, paragraph two, of the Chilean Labor Code.
The normal coordination window is approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, the workload varies significantly throughout the year:
Peak season, generally October through March: Workload is typically equivalent to approximately 40 hours per week. Irregular hours, time-sensitive communications and occasional weekend or holiday availability may be required while expeditions are operating.
Off-season, generally April through September: Workload is substantially lower and will generally average approximately 20 hours per week or less.
The employee will organize their schedule according to operational needs while maintaining appropriate rest periods and the legally required right to disconnect. Peak-season coverage will be coordinated among the relevant operations team whenever possible.
Compensation and Benefits
Gross monthly compensation: CLP $1,800,000–$2,200,000, including guaranteed conventional gratification.
Placement within the range will depend on relevant experience, qualifications, Torres del Paine expertise and established Patagonia supplier relationships.
Company-provided computer and mobile phone.
Company-provided or reimbursed home internet service.
Chilean social-security contributions administered according to applicable law.
Twenty business days of annual paid vacation, based on the employee residing and working in the Magallanes Region.
Annual vacation will preferably be coordinated during the lower-workload period from April through September, by mutual agreement and subject to operational coverage.
Approved business travel and operating expenses covered by the company.
What Success Looks Like
The successful employee will ensure that:
Every Chile expedition is fully confirmed and operationally ready.
Guide assignments are timely, appropriate and clearly communicated.
Supplier relationships are professional, collaborative and reliable.
Payment deadlines and financial controls are consistently maintained.
Operational risks are identified and addressed before they affect travelers.
The US team receives accurate and timely information.
OneSeed’s service, safety and traveler-experience standards are maintained across all Chilean expeditions.