thread caravan
trip leader
Thread Caravan is growing our small but passionate team and looking for the right people to integrate into our community to support our collective growth.
We are currently hiring for the position of trip leader.
Trip leaders are responsible, passionate, knowledgeable, approachable, well-traveled individuals, capable of hosting groups for a week or more in cross-cultural educational experiences.
Our trips happen all around the world, focusing on a variety of craft techniques with a large network of artisan partners. Trip Leaders are exceptional hosts, and ideally have some knowledge of the local language as well as some familiarity with the craft focus of each trip.
We are looking for Trip Leaders who share our values and who will uphold those values while facilitating our retreat experiences. In exchange, trip leaders will have the opportunity to travel, meet and build relationships with artists and artisans all around the world.
This is a contracted part-time position. Trip Leaders are expected to lead 4 or more 5-10 day retreats during the year.
about thread caravan
Thread Caravan is a leader in experiential travel, hosting intimate craft-focused retreats internationally for the past 10 years.
We prioritize slow, artisanal processes and relationship-building, valuing quality over quantity and the people who are dedicated to the integrity of their craft.
our manifesto
We weave cross-cultural stories, facilitating human connection through the lens of textiles.
We host intimate educational experiences with artists to investigate endemic crafts, seeking to understand how environment shapes textiles, ceramics, cuisine, and culture.
We believe that slow processes and handmade crafts are inherently valuable, and we embrace them as a tool for resisting commodification. Our workshops aim to reconnect us to regionality, which globalization has rendered irrelevant.
We investigate the endemic nature of craft to understand how a distinct place has shaped the work of artisans.
We have a deep reverence for artisans and their skills, and we believe learning about craft from local artists is a lever for meaningful connection and dignified travel.
about our workshops
Thread Caravan currently hosts trips in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Morocco, Iceland and India, with plans to launch trips in Laos, Cambodia, Bolivia, Japan, and beyond.
Our retreats are typically one week to 10 days. They are all-inclusive experiences which connect travelers to a specific regional craft and local artisans, while also including gastronomy, local cultural activities, and unique excursions.
t r i p l e a d e r
r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
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Get acquainted with your trip participants via their profiles.
Correspond with local partners and service providers in preparation for your arrival.
Share important participant health information and needs with all providers and collaborators.
Coordinate welcome gifts and custom welcome notes.
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Build relationships with local partners and trip participants on behalf of Thread Caravan.
Create and maintain an environment in which all guests feel safe and included, and are able to learn and socialize with other guests and local partners.Communicate itinerary and logistics with trip participants each day. Share information related to timing, what they should wear and bring, bathroom access, length of time in car and road conditions, etc.
Ensure that all trip participants feel comfortable approaching you in case of emergency, that each day expectations are clear and their needs are met.
Deal with emergencies, health, and safety of all participants if needed.
Maintain a punctual schedule, with confidence and knowledge of how to adapt in case of emergency or any unforeseen circumstance. Make the decision and coordinate the adjustment of the itinerary when absolutely necessary.
Communicate with local partners and service providers. Assist them in facilitating their workshop experiences, making announcements to and supporting the group.
Translate as needed (English is a must, local language is preferred).
Share your knowledge about local and international craft culture.
Be an ambassador and promoter for other trips, our team, mission, and vision.
Manage expenses by paying for bills and expenses, saving receipts, filling out a detailed expense sheet
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Debrief with the Thread Caravan HQ team after the trip.
Provide a detailed accounting summary for all trip expenses.
Share trip feedback with the Thread Caravan HQ coordinators.
the trip leader role is for you if
You have a strong fluency in English (most of our clients’ first language is English).
You consider yourself a very responsible person and enjoy taking care of others.
You have strong communication skills, are comfortable speaking in front of a group and explaining things clearly and with patience.
You value customer service and hospitality, and enjoy attention to the little details that make an experience extra special. Generally, you have experience being both on the receiving and giving end of this dynamic, to best understand what works well.
You understand how to accommodate different physical and emotional needs. You feel confident to speak to clients in a sensitive and caring manner about what their specific needs and accommodations might be.
You consider yourself a sociable person, people feel comfortable coming to you for help.
You have a diverse upbringing in some way, and understand how to relate to people of all different backgrounds.
You enjoy solving problems, and handle them in a calm and confident way.
You’re comfortable handling pressure and dealing with challenging situations.
Your friends consider you patient, caring, and attentive. You are sensitive to the people around you.
You’re active and mobile and can handle physically demanding activities and environments.
You are passionate about learning via travel.’re looking for a dynamic and affordable way to travel.
You have flexibility with your work schedule and other life commitments and responsibilities.
You are available for at least four 7-10 day trips throughout the calendar year.
In your application, please write the word ARTISAN on question 7 to show that you’ve read through this entire job description document in detail.
You feel comfortable upholding the values of Thread Caravan: diversity, inclusion, anti-tolerance for racism, gender prejudice or any other [read the full page of our values here].
nice to haves
These are not requirements for the role, but are big value adds and qualities that will distinguish your application.
A background in art history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, or teaching
You’ve traveled with big groups before
Experience in hospitality, customer service and/or education
Artistic skills or a craft practice
Knowledge of local languages for translation purposes
Craft-related knowledge
First aid training
b e n e f i t s
Thread Caravan offers Trip Leaders a daily pay rate based on the applicant's prior experience and economy of the host country.
Additional benefits include:
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While hosting trips, Thread Caravan covers your expenses during the trip including boutique hotel accommodation, in-country transportation, dining experiences throughout, entrance fees and activity participation.
If Trip Leaders do not live in the host country, Thread Caravan also covers the expense of their flight to the host country.
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Trip Leaders will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of trip participants and local artisan hosts. During many of our trips, guests and team members form friendships and collaborations which extend far beyond the trip.
Additionally, Trip Leaders are offered up to 2 weeks of complementary accommodations at our residency house in Oaxaca, TEXERE, to connect with other team members.
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Thread Caravan creates a nurturing environment for people passionate about craft. We take every opportunity to enhance our team’s own passions and give team members access to people and places that will continue to inspire member’s own creative journeys.
Although Trip Leaders are responsible for facilitating workshop experiences and cannot participate in the workshops, these are inevitably still a very unique learning opportunity to be a part of.
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Once Trip Leaders have facilitated 8 trips, you’ll be given a complimentary invite to any Thread Caravan experience as a guest.
how to apply
We are an equal opportunity employer. We believe representation is paramount, and we value including diverse voices in our community.
We do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical abilities, marital or parental status, or age.
We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds to feel confident in applying to this position. We especially encourage people who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, parents, immigrants, and/or anyone who has experienced systemic oppression to apply to this position.
process
Fill out this application form.
You will be asked to attach your resume and a cover letter, and provide at least one reference letter.
We will only consider applications that come in through our form; any applications that are sent by email will be disregarded.
Upon submitting your application, you will see a pop-up confirmation notice.Our team will review applications on a rolling basis.
We will be in touch via email to set up an interview if you are being considered.
We may not have time to email every applicant. You will be contacted if you are being considered. Thank you for understanding.You’ll be asked to participate in an individual interview with our CEO and a group interview with our HQ team. Our team will review feedback and then notify you of our final decision.