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Chief of Staff to Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Hybrid in BarcelonaΒ·Full-timeΒ·Added 25 days ago

Tripadvisor

11 open roles

Overview

Job details

  • Permanent contract

    Full-time hours.

  • Hybrid

    Office and home days β€” the ad has the split.

Requirements

  • Have the right to work in Spain

    Tripadvisor doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.

  • Speak fluent Spanish

    Listed as a requirement in the ad.

  • Work in English

    English is required, per the ad.

  • Be near Barcelona for hybrid days

    No relocation package mentioned.

  • Have 8+ years of experience

    Director-level role.

  • Master's degree

    β€œYou hold a Master's degree in Economics, and potentially an MBA.” β€” per the ad.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

  • πŸ˜„ An awesome team
  • 🏠 A permanent contract
  • βš–οΈ Flexible working environment (Up to 4 total weeks additional flexibility during the summer period and in December to work fully remotely)
  • πŸ’Έ Competitive fixed salary and bonus
  • πŸ• Lunch vouchers available for each working day (because yes, we like to try our best restaurants)
  • 🌎 International teams and a multicultural environment spanning 10 offices across Europe
  • 🀝Highly inclusive working environment
  • πŸ€Έβ™€οΈ Lifestyle benefits that can be used to reimburse expenses related to physical and leisure activities, family support, travel etc
  • πŸŽ“ Continuous learning and development programs
  • 😌 Free access to the Calm app to help you build resilience wherever you are in your mental health journey
  • 🐣Dedicated parental leave and caregiver leave policies (12 weeks fully paid)
  • ⏳ A program dedicated to helping you have the best work/life balance
  • πŸ₯ Health insurance fully covered by the company
  • πŸ‘©πŸ¦½ Life & Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee
  • 🍴 Amazing offices with dining, a coffee point on each floor, and leisure area
  • 🎀 Team building events

We believe that we are better together, and we welcome you for who you are. We endeavor to ensure that everyone - regardless of ability, age, socio-economic & cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, national origin, race, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law -has the opportunity to reach their full potential. At TheFork, we want you to bring us your unique perspectives and experiences, so we can collectively continue disrupting the restaurant industry and go from good to great.

TheFork is committed to a fair recruitment process. If you have special needs and require reasonable support during your application, interview, or participation in the selection process due to health conditions or disability, please direct your inquiries to AccessibleRecruitment@TheFork.com. Our HR team will review the request and respond accordingly

The role

What you'll do

As a Chief of Staff you would be the right-hand person to our Chief Operating Officer (COO), and their direct management team. Your main mission would be to deeply understand what's happening across the company, assess the impact on our global Operations organization, and to help the COO make the most efficient decisions for Operations at a global level. You will be part of an amazing high performing team. The position is based in Barcelona, operating globally and may require some travel.

  • Be the Right Hand to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Global Operations - Act as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner, providing bottom-up insights and proactive advice to help guide decision-making.Ensure the COO is fully prepared for meetings with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and other key stakeholders, with detailed agendas, supporting materials, and actionable follow-ups.Manage communication flow:Triage inbound communication to ensure the COO's time is focused on strategic priorities.Prepare and deliver outbound communication on behalf of the COO.Provide real-time access to critical reports, dashboards, and risk assessments, alerting the COO to emerging opportunities or challenges.Ensure smooth communication both bottom-up and top-down, with a solid understanding of our B2B and B2C business, so that decisions and action points are communicated clearly and simply, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
  • Facilitate and Coordinate for the COO's Leadership team - Act as the central facilitator and coordinator for the direct reports to ensure efficient collaboration and alignment with company strategy.Optimize communication flow:Cascade key company strategies and updates across the team.Ensure smooth communication between the team and other departments.Organize and coordinate functional meetings, ensuring they are productive and aligned with organizational goals.Serve as an external advisor to direct reports, providing guidance and support on critical matters.Drive the coordination and tracking of OKRs, ensuring accountability and alignment across the team.Assist in the optimization of the team's headcount organization and resource allocation.
  • Manage Senior Stakeholders across markets and functions - Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders outside of Operations, such as Country Managers, to ensure Operations' strategy and initiatives are truly aligned with each country's needs and priorities.Act as a liaison between Operations and other functions/regions, ensuring key decisions consider local context and are properly communicated both ways.
  • Lead Global Operations budget preparation and monitoring - Own and coordinate the budgeting process for the global Operations organization, serving as the key contact with FP&A.Prepare, monitor, and manage budgets, including Headcount budgets, Travel & Expense budgets, Direct costs crucial to ensure delivery on organization's goals.Oversee budget trade-offs and ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet team priorities.Track budget performance, ensuring accurate forecasting and successful landing of financial targets.
  • Drive Global and Cross-functional Strategic Projects - Act as a project manager for high-impact, cross-functional initiative(s), ensuring alignment with company priorities and delivering results on time and within scope.Coordinate and lead the lifecycle of strategic initiative(s), including planning, execution, and follow-up.Facilitate cross-functional steering committee(s): Bring together stakeholders, set agendas, drive alignment, and ensure effective decision-making.Analyze complex data, extract actionable insights, and present concise information to support impactful and timely decision-making.Monitor and measure outcomes of strategic initiatives through key performance indicators (KPIs) and tracking mechanisms, ensuring continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Why you'll thrive in this role

  • You will be at the center of the Global Operations team, working on a mix of strategic planning, organizational coordination, and execution.
  • Your role will require strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to influence without direct authority.

Who you are

  • You hold a Master's degree in Economics, and potentially an MBA.
  • You have 8-10 years of experience, including time in a strategic consulting role, Chief of Staff (COS) position, or business management function, preferably in a tech company
  • You are a business consultant with strong business acumen, a cross-functional mindset, and a strategic approach.
  • You possess excellent analytical skills, with confidence in handling numbers and complex information.
  • You are a people-oriented professional with strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, capable of building trust and collaborating effectively with the management team. Your verbal and written communication skills are exceptional.
  • You are a highly organized project manager, detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and able to stay calm and adaptable under pressure or in dynamic environments. You approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.
  • Fluency in English and Spanish is essential, along with proficiency in at least one additional European language (Italian, French, etc.).

About Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is a global travel technology company that operates the world's largest travel guidance platform, offering reviews, booking tools, and travel-related content across hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts, the company serves hundreds of millions of travelers each month and generates revenue through advertising, subscription services, and transaction-based offerings. Its platform spans multiple brands, including Viator and TheFork, and it remains a dominant player in the travel research and booking ecosystem.

In Spain, Tripadvisor has a significant presence, with offices in Madrid and Barcelona, focusing on sales, customer support, and marketing for both the Spanish and broader European markets. The company's Spanish operations are key to its European growth, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant sectors, and it actively hires for roles in sales, customer service, and marketing. For international professionals, Tripadvisor offers a multicultural work environment, opportunities to work with global teams, and roles that often require multilingual skills, making it an attractive employer for those looking to relocate to Spain.

Industry
Travel Tech
Founded
2001
Employees
1,000–5,000
Headquarters
Needham, USA
In Spain
Madrid, Barcelona

Good to know if you are moving

  • Tripadvisor has offices in Madrid and Barcelona, offering opportunities for international professionals to work in Spain's major cities.
  • Many roles in Spain require multilingual skills, such as French, Polish, or Dutch, making it a good fit for professionals with language abilities.
  • The company offers a dynamic, global work environment with a focus on travel and technology, providing exposure to international markets.
  • Internship opportunities are available in marketing and B2B content, which can be a gateway for early-career professionals.
  • The company's global reach means employees often collaborate with teams across different countries, enhancing cross-cultural experience.

In their own words

About the company & team

At TheFork we believe that the best things in life happen around the table.
As the leading restaurant booking platform in Europe, we connect the broadest community of loyal diners with the world's favorite restaurants. Powered by innovation and a deep passion for the restaurant industry, we create unique dining experiences across 11 countries.

We're part of the Tripadvisor Group and proud to be building a diverse, people-first culture where "respect", "ownership", "growth" and "better together" values thrive.
If you're passionate about food, technology, and making a real impact, your seat at the table is ready.

πŸ‘‰ Discover life at TheFork

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