At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support travel reservations teams, ensuring high-quality service and smooth operations.
- Company: Dynamic corporate travel management company with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £60,000 plus bonuses and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the travel industry while enjoying a hybrid work environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in corporate travel and strong knowledge of GDS platforms.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
This role demands a visible, hands-on Operational leader, to head up the front-end Business Travel reservations teams at this growing corporate travel management company. You'll take ownership of daily operations, ensuring they consistently deliver high-quality, commercially smart service to their clients while building a scalable, resilient operation.
Working closely with internal teams, you'll match customer demand with agent capability, keep workflows moving smoothly, and ensure new clients transition seamlessly into the business. This hybrid role involves 1-2 days per week in the West London office and the rest of the time working from home. Salary circa £60,000 + bonus + excellent benefits package.
What You'll Do:
- Lead & Support Teams: Direct and develop Team Leaders, setting clear expectations for service quality, accuracy, and agent productivity. Act as the senior escalation point for complex reservations and ticketing.
- Resource & Capacity Management: Use real-time data and volume forecasts to deploy agents effectively, balancing workloads, minimising backlogs, and covering peak periods.
- Workflow & Quality Control: Work side-by-side with reservations agents to review PNR quality, refine workflows, and turn errors or skills gaps into practical coaching opportunities.
- Onboarding & Continuity: Ensure new accounts are operationally ready before launch and co-own our business continuity planning to keep service steady during disruptions.
What We're Looking For:
- Proven operational leadership experience within a Travel Management Company (TMC) or complex corporate travel environment.
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of GDS platforms (Sabre essential, plus ideally Amadeus), ticketing, reissues, refunds, and PNR servicing.
- Strong track record in workforce capacity planning, managing to SLAs/KPIs, and handling operational escalations with composure.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to connect point-of-sale decision-making with business margin.
If you've got a strong background working in corporate travel, with excellent operational knowledge and people management skills, then we want to hear from you! Apply today.
Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) in Southall employer: Hireful
At hireful, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and dedication. Our part-time roles, such as the Cleaning Assistant in Malvern, provide flexible hours that allow for a healthy work-life balance, while also presenting opportunities for personal growth and development within our community-focused environment. Join us to contribute to maintaining high cleanliness standards at The Downs, where your efforts are truly appreciated and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) in Southall
✨Get Involved in Local Travel Events
Join local tourism fairs or travel expos in your area. These events are a treasure trove for networking, and you can often meet hiring managers from companies like Hireful who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Operations Manager (Corporate Travel).
✨Showcase Your Travel Know-How
Create a travel blog or use social media to share your experiences and insights about different destinations. This can help you stand out to recruiters in the travel industry, demonstrating your passion for the sector and your ability to engage with an audience.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your School
Check out alumni groups linked to the travel and tourism sectors. Often, these connections can lead to inside info about opportunities at companies like Hireful and give you a leg up for your Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) application.
✨Don’t Shy Away from Cold Emails
If there's a dream company you want to join, don’t hesitate to send a friendly email to their HR or recruitment team. Express your interest in their vision and mention that you’re keen on any Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) in Southall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:In the travel and tourism industry, your love for exploration and different cultures should shine through in your application. Make sure to share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for travel—this can really set you apart when applying for the Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) role at Hireful.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills:Customer service is king in travel and tourism. When detailing your work experience, focus on situations where you provided outstanding service or resolved customer issues, as this demonstrates your ability to ensure client satisfaction. Include specific examples in your CV to show that you're ready to face the challenges of the Operations Manager (Corporate Travel) position at Hireful.
Keep Your CV Travel-Themed:When it comes to CV conventions in the travel industry, think of including any relevant certifications or training you've completed, like first aid or tour guiding courses. If you've travelled widely yourself, don't hesitate to mention that—it's all about showing your background fits the globetrotting vibe of Hireful.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not only explain why you're a great fit but also reflect your personality! Use this space to express what excites you about the travel sector and how you can contribute to Hireful's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Operations Manager (Corporate Travel).
How to prepare for a job interview at Hireful
✨Show Off Your Travel Knowledge
For a role in travel and tourism, it’s vital to demonstrate your knowledge of different destinations, cultures, and travel trends. Brush up on popular destinations and recent changes in travel restrictions. We suggest bringing some interesting travel stories or experiences to share—this can help you connect personally with the interviewer!
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Expect to be hit with customer service scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a challenging traveller or resolve a booking issue. Think of a few real-life examples from your experiences, even if they’re just from customer service roles. This will show that you're ready for the field and have the right mindset to tackle on-the-ground challenges!
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Passion
In a full-time travel position, there are often irregular hours and spontaneous travel opportunities. Be sure to convey your flexibility and willingness to embrace the unpredictable nature of this industry. Let’s showcase that enthusiasm for travel and how it drives your decision-making!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Get familiar with travel booking systems and tools, such as Amadeus or Sabre. If you have experience using any specific software or even social media for travel promotions, bring that up! We want to show that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to their processes at Hireful.
