At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage day-to-day operations for short-let properties, ensuring a 5-star guest experience.
- Company: Join Pass the Keys, the UK's leading short-let management company since 2015.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work arrangements, competitive salary, and 22 days holiday plus your birthday off.
- Other info: Must be based in Edinburgh; weekend work is necessary.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team focused on quality, growth, and empowering homeowners.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, problem-solving mindset, and familiarity with tech platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Pass the Keys is the UK’s leading full-service short-let and holiday-let management company, simplifying property hosting for homeowners since 2015. Founded by Alexander Lyakhotskiy to address the challenges of short-let management, we’ve grown into a network of 70+ franchise partners across the UK, Spain, and Northern Ireland. Our mission is to empower homeowners by delivering a hassle‑free hosting experience while ensuring an exceptional guest stay.
Reporting to the Territory Manager, you will be the engine of our local operations, responsible for the end-to-end service delivery for our portfolio of properties. This is a performance-driven role where your success will be measured by core operational KPIs, including guest satisfaction ratings, cleanliness scores, health and safety compliance, and supplier performance. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast‑paced environment, excels at complex scheduling and problem-solving, and has a passion for creating seamless, five-star experiences.
This is a hands‑on role that requires strong organisational skills, and a sharp eye for detail.
Key Responsibilities:
Service Delivery & Scheduling
- Manage the cleaning and maintenance schedules, allocating tasks to providers and ensuring timely service completion for all bookings.
- Oversee daily operational coverage, responding to guest requests and efficiently managing check‑in and check‑out procedures.
- Review new bookings to proactively plan and resource all operational requirements in advance.
- Coordinate and schedule all maintenance tasks, ensuring minimal disruption to guests and clients.
Supplier & Provider Management
- Recruit, onboard and train new providers, ensuring they meet our high standards for service and professionalism.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all suppliers, managing communications, tracking hours, and reviewing performance.
- Monitor supplier performance through data, feedback, and spot checks to drive continuous improvement.
- Process and approve client and provider adjustments as required.
Quality Control & Compliance
- Implement and enforce quality standards through regular spot checks, property inspections, and adherence to detailed cleaning checklists.
- Manage inventory for linen and guest consumables, coordinating orders to ensure properties are always well‑stocked.
- Ensure all properties comply with safety regulations by maintaining up‑to‑date safety certificates.
- Oversee key control processes and conduct regular storage inspections to maintain security and organisation.
Guest & Client Support
- Oversee the operational setup of new properties during onboarding, including photography, initial cleaning, key handover, and health & safety checks, ensuring each property is fully prepared to welcome its first guests.
- Act as the primary escalation point for operational issues, managing and resolving guest and client resolution cases efficiently and professionally.
- Respond thoughtfully to guest reviews, addressing feedback and implementing changes to improve future service.
- Manage client and guest communication preferences related to property information and 'Guest Success' initiatives.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Operations Manager plays a crucial role in the territory's success. Performance will be measured by your ability to deliver excellence across the following metrics:
- Guest Satisfaction & Quality
- Airbnb & Booking.com Rating: Achieving and maintaining target guest review scores on major booking platforms.
- Airbnb Cleanliness Score: Hitting the target score specifically for cleanliness, reflecting the quality of housekeeping services.
- Operational Compliance & Efficiency
- Property Spot Checks: Meeting targets for the quantity and quality score of completed property inspections.
- App Usage: Ensuring high adoption and consistent usage of our internal app by all service providers.
- Health & Safety: Maintaining 100% compliance on all required property safety certificates and checks.
- Financial Contribution
- NBV & Gross Profit: Contributing to the territory's financial goals (NBV vs Previous Year, Gross Profit NBV %) by managing operational costs, maximising efficiency, and preventing revenue loss due to operational failures.
Required Characteristics & Competencies:
Essential:
- Proven experience in an Operations or Hospitality Management role.
- Exceptional organisational and time‑management skills, with demonstrable experience in complex scheduling.
- Strong problem‑solving abilities and a talent for handling escalations with a calm and professional demeanour.
- Experience managing third‑party contractors, suppliers, or a distributed workforce.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Tech‑savvy and comfortable using various software platforms and mobile apps for scheduling, communication, and task management.
- A hands‑on attitude and willingness to be in the field conducting inspections and meeting providers.
Desirable:
- Experience in the short‑term rental or property management industry.
- Familiarity with property management software (PMS) or ticketing systems.
Additional Requirements:
- Location & Work Environment: This is a remote role, but you must be based in Edinburgh and be able to drive to properties to carry out on‑site visits.
- Weekend Working Requirement: Work a Thursday to Monday pattern and flexible hours to meet business needs. You may also be required to work occasional evenings/out of hours to meet operational demand.
- Travel Requirements: Occasional travel to other PTK territories for meetings and training.
Why Join Us?
At Pass the Keys, we are committed to fostering an environment where success is both achievable and sustainable. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools, support, and knowledge they need to thrive. As part of our team, you will benefit from:
- A Global Vision: Join an ambitious company aspiring to be the global leader in short‑let and holiday‑let property management.
- A Strong Company Culture: Our four core values—Drive, Evolve, Take Pride, and Together—guide everything we do.
- Autonomy & Independence: We manage by results, not input. No micromanagement—just accountability and impact.
- Professional Growth Opportunities: We encourage responsibility and development, allowing you to expand your skills as much as you can handle.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: We understand the importance of work‑life balance and support flexible scheduling where possible.
- Competitive Salary: While there may be places that pay more, we offer competitive wages with strong career progression opportunities.
- A Great Team: Work alongside inspiring colleagues in a supportive and collaborative environment.
UK‑Specific Benefits:
- 30 days of holiday (including bank holidays) plus an extra day off for your birthday.
- Pension scheme with salary sacrifice, matching contributions up to 7%.
- Enhanced maternity pay—up to 90% of salary for six months.
- Bonus scheme available after passing probation.
Salary: Starting at £30,000 guaranteed basic salary, plus uncapped bonus potential.
Operations Manager, Edinburgh employer: Passthekeys
At Pass the Keys, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values autonomy and professional growth. As an Operations Manager in Edinburgh, you'll enjoy flexible work arrangements, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to collaborate with a passionate team dedicated to delivering outstanding guest experiences. With a strong commitment to employee development and a supportive environment, we empower our staff to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the short-let management industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager, Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Edinburgh area and its property market. Understanding local trends and challenges will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the short-let and holiday-let industry. Attend local meetups or online forums to connect with others in the field, which can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed operations or improved processes in previous roles. Highlighting your problem-solving skills and attention to detail will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your tech-savviness by being familiar with property management platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Being able to discuss how you would leverage technology to enhance operations will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager, Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations management, particularly in the hospitality or property management sectors. Use specific examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and attention to detail.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role at Pass the Keys. Mention how your skills align with their mission of providing a hassle-free hosting experience and your understanding of the Edinburgh area.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills:Provide examples in your application of how you've successfully resolved operational issues in previous roles. Highlight your ability to manage relationships with service providers and ensure quality standards.
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you have experience as an Airbnb or Booking.com host or guest, make sure to include this in your application. This will show your familiarity with the industry and enhance your candidacy for the Operations Manager position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Passthekeys
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure to research Pass the Keys thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and the services they offer. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
As an Operations Manager, strong organisational skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Highlight your attention to detail and how it contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Abilities
The role requires a natural problem-solver. Think of instances where you faced challenges in previous roles and how you resolved them. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to ensure a positive outcome.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle real-life situations related to property management and guest relations. Practice articulating your approach to managing conflicts, ensuring quality control, and maintaining high safety standards.