At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver group travel events, coordinating logistics and managing budgets.
- Company: Join a growing educational travel business in Surrey focused on exceptional group experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, health support, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Office-based role with potential future flexibility and regular travel to events.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team that values customer experience and initiative.
- Qualifications: Solid experience in travel operations and previous leadership or mentoring roles required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting on behalf of a growing, people-focused educational travel business based in Surrey that specialises in delivering exceptional group events and educational travel experiences across the UK and Europe. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced travel operations professional who enjoys taking ownership, supporting a team, and being hands-on in delivering memorable events. You'll be joining a collaborative, energetic environment where customer experience and teamwork are genuinely valued.
What will I be doing?
- Taking responsibility for the smooth planning and delivery of group travel events from start to finish.
- Supporting and developing junior team members, working closely with the Operations Manager.
- Coordinating key elements such as venues, accommodation, transport and event logistics.
- Liaising with clients to gather requirements, confirm details and ensure a seamless journey.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and partners.
- Managing budgets, monitoring costs and protecting margins.
- Overseeing multiple groups travelling at the same time, ensuring all details are accurate and delivered on schedule.
- Travelling to events and leading operations on the ground, managing timings, logistics and resolving issues in real time.
- Contributing ideas to improve processes, efficiency and the overall customer experience.
- Participating in an occasional out-of-hours duty rota following a qualifying period.
What experience do I need?
- Solid experience within travel operations, ideally involving group tours or events.
- Previous experience leading or mentoring team members.
- A strong customer service background with confident written and verbal communication skills.
- Commercial awareness and experience working to budgets and deadlines.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
- Good working knowledge of Excel.
- Desirable experience includes knowledge of the school travel market, group tour operations, sporting events or French language skills.
What else do I need to know?
- Office-based role in Surrey with potentially some flexibility on this in the future.
- Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week with flexible start and finish times available.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
- Pension scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Regular travel to events in the UK and Europe.
- A genuinely supportive, team-driven culture where ideas and initiative are welcomed.
If you are an experienced travel operations professional who enjoys ownership, leadership and delivering outstanding events, we would love to hear from you.
Senior Operations Coordinator in Surrey employer: Rockpool Recruitment LTD
This Surrey-based educational travel company prioritises people and teamwork, offering a supportive culture. Employees enjoy benefits like health and wellbeing support, along with 25 days annual leave that increases with service. The team is dedicated to delivering memorable events across the UK and Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Coordinator in Surrey
✨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 Rockpool Recruitment LTD who are looking for fresh talent for roles like Senior Operations Coordinator.
✨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 Rockpool Recruitment LTD and give you a leg up for your Senior Operations Coordinator 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 Senior Operations Coordinator openings they might have. It's a bold move, but it might just pay off!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Coordinator in Surrey
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 Senior Operations Coordinator role at Rockpool Recruitment LTD.
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 Senior Operations Coordinator position at Rockpool Recruitment LTD.
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 Rockpool Recruitment LTD.
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 Rockpool Recruitment LTD's adventures. Share any unique perspectives or ideas you have to enhance the travel experience, especially as a full-time Senior Operations Coordinator.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rockpool Recruitment LTD
✨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 Rockpool Recruitment LTD.
