Senior Operations Specialist

Wildernessdestinations; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 50 000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury travel company is seeking a detail-oriented Senior Operations Specialist for their Johannesburg or Cape Town office. The ideal candidate will provide operational support throughout the booking process, ensuring flawless guest experiences. Responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, maintaining booking systems, and coordinating financial aspects. Candidates must have a background in Travel & Tourism or Hospitality and significant experience in reservations operations. Join a passionate team dedicated to wildlife conservation and luxury travel.

Benefits

Ongoing training and familiarisation trips

Team dedicated to conservation

Qualifications

• 4–5 years in a senior reservations operations role with customer service experience.
• Familiarity with industry systems like TourPlan is advantageous.
• Fluent in English, knowledge of other European languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the sales and booking lifecycle, ensuring operational accuracy.
• Engage with agents and guests to manage information effectively.
• Coordinate with suppliers for service confirmations and special requests.
• Maintain up-to-date booking information and upload necessary documents.
• Manage financial transactions including invoices and payments.
• Monitor guest travel and resolve any in-country issues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Organisational skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism or Hospitality

Matric with Maths (Standard Grade or higher)

Tools

TourPlan

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Johannesburg or Cape Town
Reports to: Reservations Manager
Company: Wilderness

Are you detail-oriented, passionate about travel, and thrive in a fast-paced environment? Join Wilderness as a Senior Operations Specialist and play a pivotal role in delivering seamless luxury journeys across Africa!

About the Role

As a Senior Operations Specialist, you’ll provide comprehensive operational and administrative support throughout the booking lifecycle, working closely with Travel Designers. From the quoting stage to post-travel file archiving, you’ll ensure every detail is managed, supplier relationships are strong, and guest experiences are flawless.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales & Booking Lifecycle Support: Collaborate with Travel Designers from quoting to completion, ensuring operational accuracy and continuity.
• Agent/Guest Engagement: Engage directly with agents and guests to collect and manage all required information, ensuring it’s accurately captured and communicated.
• Supplier & Service Coordination: Act as the main contact for suppliers, reconfirm services, manage special requests, and coordinate value-adds for VIP guests.
• System & Documentation Management: Maintain up-to-date booking information, upload documents, and compile itinerary materials for review.
• Financial & Payment Support: Manage supplier invoices, payments, and ensure all services are paid prior to travel.
• Guest Journey Support: Monitor guest travel, resolve in-country issues, and archive booking files post-travel.
• Product Knowledge: Stay current on Wilderness camps and experiences across Southern & East Africa, and attend regular training to deepen destination expertise.
• Systems & Technology: Use industry systems (Wilderness Window, WETU, Smartbox, Tourplan, etc.) to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.

Candidate Profile

• Qualifications: Matric with Maths (Standard Grade or higher); tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism or Hospitality.
• Experience: 4–5 years in a senior reservations operations role; proven experience in customer service, familiarity with TourPlan and Microsoft Office.
• Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, strong communication (English required, European languages advantageous), organisational skills
• Personal Attributes: Creative, proactive, service-driven, passionate about wildlife and conservation, able to work under pressure, and dedicated to customer satisfaction.

Why Wilderness?

• Join a passionate team dedicated to conservation and luxury travel.
• Deepen your expertise through ongoing training and familiarisation trips.
• Be part of a company that values initiative, accuracy, and going the extra mile.

Interests

A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation.

Apply for this position with us on WhatsApp. Simply send the word ‘Hi’ to [phone]