Base Operations Coordinator

Wanaka Helicopter Group; Wānaka; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight perks

Staff benefits

Training provided

Two bases, two brands

Job summary

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers in Wanaka seeks an Operations Coordinator to join a busy tourism and aviation team across two bases. The role splits between front-of-house and admin support, with responsibilities spanning bookings, flight schedules, inbox management and calendar planning.

You’ll thrive on variety, collaborate with the Ground Operations & Tourism Manager, and have the opportunity to grow into reservations coordination and training across both Wanaka and

Qualifications

• Previous customer service or guest-facing experience.
• Strong administration and computer skills.
• Experience in tourism, aviation, hospitality or reservations would be an advantage.
• Excellent attention to detail and time management.
• Ability to multitask, prioritise and stay calm under pressure.
• NZ citizen, resident, or valid NZ work visa.
• Full NZ driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Front-of-house responsibilities: Deliver excellent customer service in person, over the phone, and via email; Coordinate bookings, reservations, and flight schedules across two bases; Respond to inquiries for helicopter and fixed-wing operations; Manage guest check-in and safety briefings; Assist with loading and with booking scenic flights; Support flight following and daily operational logistics.

Skills

Customer service

Administration

Attention to detail

Time management

Multitasking

NZ work eligibility

Driver's licence

Tools

Reservation systems

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a friendly, capable and detail-oriented Operations Coordinator to join our close-knit team in a role split across two distinct focuses.

Two days a week you'll be front-of-house; the first point of contact for clients and students, flight following and supporting daily logistics. You’ll be organised, approachable and comfortable juggling priorities in a busy operational environment. This does include one weekend day.

The other three days, you'll step back from the desk to support our Tourism & Operations Manager with the administrative side of running two bases: managing shared inboxes across Wanaka and Backcountry Helicopters, keeping our online reservation systems updated with live availability, assisting with calendar planning, and taking ownership of various ongoing behind-the-scenes tasks that become increasingly important as we head into the busy summer season.

This is a newly created role with plenty of scope to grow and evolve. As you settle in, there's the opportunity to take on greater responsibility for reservations and operational planning alongside our Ground Operations & Tourism Manager, develop training across both the Wanaka and Backcountry brands, and build experience in areas such as custom charter coordination. You’ll also provide flexible cover between bases when needed, giving you a broad understanding of the operation as a whole.

If you're looking for variety, a role that grows with you, and an environment where tourism, aviation and operations intertwine, this could be a great fit.

Key Responsibilities

Front-of-house responsibilities:

• Deliver excellent customer service in person, over the phone, and via email
• Coordinate bookings, reservations, and flight schedules across our two bases
• Respond to enquiries for both helicopter and fixed-wing operations
• Manage guest check-in, safety briefings and assist with loading
• Help guests choose and book from our diverse range of scenic flights and experiences
• Support flight following and day-to-day operational logistics

Admin & operations responsibilities:

• Manage and respond to shared inboxes across Wanaka and Backcountry Helicopters
• Keep online reservation systems up to date, ensuring availability is accurate and current
• Support calendar planning and scheduling across both bases
• Assist the Tourism & Ground Operations Manager with ongoing administrative and operational tasks
• Contribute to sales and marketing initiatives as required

About You

We're looking for someone who is proactive, people-focused, and thrives in a busy, varied environment.

Ideal skills and experience:

• Previous customer service or guest-facing experience
• Strong administration and computer skills
• Experience in tourism, aviation, hospitality or reservations would be an advantage
• Excellent attention to detail and time management
• Ability to multitask, prioritise and stay calm under pressure
• NZ citizen, resident, or valid NZ work visa
• Full NZ driver's licence

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Scenic flight perks and staff benefits
• Supportive team culture and fun working environment
• Full training provided - no aviation experience needed
• Plenty of variety across two brands and operational bases
• A long-term position with genuine scope to grow within aviation and tourism operations