Operations Coordinator

Abercrombie & Kent Europe; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + commission

Pension salary exchange plan

25 days annual leave

Travel discount program

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Hybrid working (4 days in office)

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Recruitment referral bonus

Cycle to work

Season ticket loans

Regular social events

Job summary

Abercrombie & Kent Europe is seeking an Operations Coordinator to expertly organise ground arrangements for luxury European tours. You will coordinate with local suppliers, tour leaders, and international advisors to ensure flawless execution and exceptional client experiences.

Candidates should demonstrate strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task under pressure, with a passion for travel and a willingness to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Accurately book all services for tours within budget.

Skills

Attitude

Communication

Second language

Geography knowledge

Outlook/Word/Teams/Excel

Numeracy

Travel passion

Multitask

Attention to detail

Time management

Supplier relations

Tools

Outlook

Word

Teams

Excel

Job description

Job Description

A&K Travel Group is a dynamic collection of travel and cruise companies, including Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, and the world’s oldest travel agency, Cox & Kings. We create unique, immersive travel experiences worldwide. Our people make us a great place to work, fostering a supportive environment with ongoing training and global career opportunities. We also make a difference: Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy has supported communities for 40 years, and we were recognised by Which? for exceptional client care during the pandemic.

Purpose

As an Operations Coordinator (or Consultant) you will be responsible for the successful operating of our luxury Tailor-Made travel itineraries. To accurately book all ground arrangements for multiple departures of our European tours working with local suppliers, A&K sales offices and an international set of luxury travel advisors to ensure the smooth operation of the tour.

Responsibilities

Operations

To accurately book all ground arrangements for multiple departures of our European independent travel products, and work with local suppliers, tour leaders and sales offices to ensure the smooth operation of the tour.

• Accurately book all services required for the successful operation of the tour within the budget set


• To liaise with agents directly on any changes or operational requirements


• To accurately cost any additional requests or changes


• Prepare detailed documentation for tours


• To log and share feedback from each tour, to ensure that improvements are made promptly


• Successfully deliver the guests’ tour so it runs perfectly and exceeds their high expectations


• Operate the targeted volume of tours (by sales value) within a given year

Financial

• Taking full responsibility of a tour’s cost control and margins


• Ensuring necessary payments are made and received at the appropriate time


• Preparing accurate client payment and agent commission statements


• To assist the Finance Department with invoice queries as they arise.


• To manage tour costs in order that budgeted margins are achieved


• To enter financial data onto reservations system in a timely and accurate manner

Quality Control / Customer Service

• To have the highest standards of quality at the forefront of mind


• To proactively highlight potential Customer Service problems and take steps to make improvements


• To investigate and provide information to enable a response to customer service issues.

General

• General office duties


• To conduct special projects as requested by management


• Any other reasonable duties as requested by management


• Participation in occasional familiarisation or business trips with follow up reports and presentation as required


• To take the On-Call duty manager phone on a rota basis

Experience & Qualifications

Desired Skills-Set:

• A confident, positive attitude


• Strong spoken and written communication skills. A second European language is advantageous


• Good level of geographical and general knowledge of Europe is advantageous


• Up-to-date knowledge of Outlook, Word, Teams and Excel


• Numeracy and good, basic mathematical understanding


• A real passion for travel


• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure


• Attention to detail


• A willingness to develop relationships with key suppliers


• Good and effective time management

What We Offer

• Competitive salary plus commission plan


• Company pension salary exchange plan from start of employment, with employer contributions increasing after 5 and 10 years of service


• 25 days annual leave – in addition to bank holidays, plus the ability to buy an additional 5 days or sell 5 days


• Discounted trips through A&K Travel Group Travel Benefit Program (includes friends and family)


• Discounted Gym Membership – we offer a contribution of up to £35 a month at either Virgin Active Gym (London) or to other gyms through GymFlex.


• Private Healthcare through BUPA –individual and family cover


• Life Assurance (2x base salary paid out as a tax-free sum)


• Hybrid working – we value collaboration and ask employees to come to the office for a minimum of 4 days per week


• Enhanced Paid Parental Leave


• Employee Assistance Program – includes access to wellbeing resources and counselling


• £1,000 Recruitment Referral Bonus


• Cycle to work scheme


• Season Ticket Loans


• Regular Social Events

And above all, a desire to ensure guests have the best travel experience.

Why work for A&K

The induction at A&K Europe includes an extensive period of structured learning and development lasting up to six months. After six months with the Company, you will become eligible for an A&K familiarisation trip. Where possible would aim to send you on a domestic or European trip within twelve months, however this will be subject to availability and business needs.

What makes A&K a great place to work is the people. It’s our people who foster the supportive environment that will make you proud to work for us. There will also be an opportunity to progress your career – not just in the UK, but as part of our global business.

We’re also a company that makes a difference. Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) has supported local communities around the world for the past 40 years, and we were recognised by Which? for looking after our clients during the pandemic.

60 years after Geoffrey Kent founded Abercrombie & Kent, we’re still setting the standard for adventurous, luxury holidays. The business comprises of international Tour Operations Offices (TOCs) and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) with 55 offices worldwide and an unmatched network of connections across the globe.

EEO Statement

Abercrombie & Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.