At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a remote reservations team, driving guest service and booking performance.
- Company: Join a dynamic Central Reservations team in a hybrid work environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a growing portfolio with exciting career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of reservations while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality sales and leading remote teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
- Central Reservations | Hybrid Based
- We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused
Head of Reservations to join our Central Reservations leadership team.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of our established, fully home-based reservations teams, with responsibility for delivering outstanding guest service, developing a high-performing remote team and driving booking conversion and revenue performance across our hotel portfolio.
Our Central Reservations operation supports both hotel accommodation and specialist golf reservations .
The exact area of responsibility for the successful candidate will be determined following the recruitment process, taking into account their experience, strengths and skillset.
The Opportunity
As Head of Reservations, you will provide dedicated leadership to a home-based reservations team, creating an engaged, collaborative and accountable culture despite colleagues working remotely.
This is a role that combines people leadership, commercial performance and operational delivery .
You will be expected to understand what drives reservations performance, use data to identify opportunities and ensure your team delivers a knowledgeable, responsive and guest-centred booking experience.
Working closely with our other Head of Reservations and colleagues across Operations, Revenue, Sales and Marketing, you will also play an important role in developing our wider Central Reservations function as our portfolio grows.
What You'll Be Doing
You will
- Lead, coach and develop a fully home-based reservations team.
- Create a strong remote team culture through regular communication, one-to-ones, coaching and performance management.
- Set clear objectives, service standards and individual accountabilities.
- Drive booking conversion, revenue opportunities, upselling and cross-selling.
- Use enquiry, booking and performance data to identify trends, lost business and opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure guest enquiries and bookings are handled promptly, accurately and consistently.
- Build strong product knowledge and a confident, consultative sales approach within the team.
- Plan resources and team coverage around changing and seasonal levels of demand.
- Monitor performance against agreed KPIs including conversion, response times, quality, productivity and revenue.
- Resolve complex or escalated guest and operational issues.
- Work collaboratively with hotels and colleagues across Revenue, Sales, Marketing, Finance and Operations.
- Maintain effective processes, controls and business-continuity arrangements.
- Support new systems, processes, products and hotel openings.
- Work closely with the other Head of Reservations to share best practice, build resilience and continually improve the overall reservations operation.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an established reservations, hospitality sales or customer contact leader who combines strong people leadership with a commercial mindset .
As this is a home-based operation, proven experience of successfully leading, engaging and performance-managing a remote or home-based team is essential .
You should also bring
- Significant experience within hotel reservations, hospitality sales, contact centres, golf travel or a comparable specialist booking environment.
- Leadership experience within a service-led and commercially focused team.
- A track record of improving booking conversion, revenue, productivity or service quality.
- Strong coaching and people-development skills.
- The ability to create engagement, collaboration and accountability within a remote team.
- Confidence interpreting performance data and turning it into clear actions.
- Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
- A guest-focused approach combined with strong commercial awareness.
- Sound judgement when handling escalated guest, people and operational matters.
- The ability to remain calm, organised and effective when priorities and demand change.
Experience of golf reservations, golf travel or complex itinerary-based bookings would be advantageous, but is not essential .
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role within an established Central Reservations operation while helping us shape its next stage of development.
You'll have the opportunity to lead and develop your own team, influence how we work, improve commercial performance and collaborate with hotels and senior stakeholders across a growing portfolio.
If you're an experienced reservations or hospitality leader who is passionate about developing people, delivering excellent guest experiences and driving commercial results , we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Reservations in North Berwick employer: Marine North Berwick
Marine North Berwick is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in one of Scotland's most iconic luxury golf hotels. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive work culture, team members enjoy benefits such as complimentary meals, discounts on hotel stays, and continuous training opportunities. Join a passionate team dedicated to delivering outstanding hospitality while enjoying breathtaking coastal views and a commitment to inclusivity and respect.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Reservations in North Berwick
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Marine North Berwick. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Marine North Berwick
Don't be shy about reaching out to Marine North Berwick directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Reservations in North Berwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Marine North Berwick and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marine North Berwick
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
