At a Glance
- Tasks: Create unforgettable experiences while handling bookings and promoting animal encounters.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, surrounded by wildlife.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, discounts, and free park entry for you and a guest.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team making a real impact in wildlife conservation.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and sales, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Work in a picturesque setting with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 22600 - 28500 £ per year.
Salary: £25,625.60 Per Annum, Plus Desirable Benefits
Full-time, Permanent Position
Are you wild about creating memorable experiences? Do you want to work in a place where you can hear calls from troops of Howler Monkeys, or the roars from a pride of Lions? Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve are looking for a Sales & Customer Services Executive to join our friendly, vibrant team based at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. You’ll work in picturesque, historic surroundings, helping to create memorable experiences for every guest.
In this role, you will handle bookings, sell tickets, passes, dining packages, and animal experiences, and promote upsell opportunities, while responding to enquiries and queries professionally. Using your strong product knowledge, you will convert enquiries into confirmed sales, achieve targets, capture guest feedback, and support the wider team to ensure every visitor enjoys an exceptional experience.
Who are we looking for:
We are seeking a motivated and results-driven Sales & Customer Services Executive with a strong background in customer-focused sales or service roles. The ideal candidate will have at least three years’ experience, a proven record of achieving and exceeding sales targets, and excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships with customers and colleagues. Experience working with schools, groups, or similar markets is a plus. You will be highly organised, detail-oriented, and confident under pressure, with the ability to take initiative, think strategically, and proactively drive sales. Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, are essential, and a UK driving licence is desirable.
The location:
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is a world-renowned wild animal park set within 600 acres of Kentish savannah. The Reserve is home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals and offers luxury short breaks accommodation, free roaming animal safaris, once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters and exquisite dining experiences. Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.
Contract details:
This is a full-time, permanent position. You will be contracted to work 40 hours per week, five days out of seven, which may include bank holidays and weekends as the parks are open seven days per week. The role is based at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve near Folkestone. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. A reliable mode of transport is recommended due to our remote location.
Why you should join us:
We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work. Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.
You can also expect a host of other roarsome benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service. (Pro-rata to start date and working hours)
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
- Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
- Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
- Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
- Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
- A great working environment with lots of social activities.
- Company Pension.
- And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
Your adventure awaits #joinourpride
Please note, this role may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.
To apply: If you want to work in an exciting and unique environment where no two days are the same, email your C.V. and covering letter to.
Sales & Customer Services Executive in Hythe employer: The Aspinall Foundation
Contact Detail:
The Aspinall Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales & Customer Services Executive in Hythe
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, their mission, values, and what makes them unique. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your enthusiasm and knowledge about creating memorable experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to be able to confidently talk about your experience in customer service and sales. Think of specific examples where you’ve exceeded targets or created great customer experiences, so you can impress them with your results-driven attitude.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend events related to the wildlife and hospitality sectors. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Port Lympne and Howletts. Let’s make those memorable experiences happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales & Customer Services Executive in Hythe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for creating memorable experiences shine through. We want to see how excited you are about the role and the unique environment at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in customer service and sales. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a proven track record of achieving targets, so don’t be shy about showcasing your successes!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Use it to connect your skills and experiences to the job description, and don’t forget to mention your love for wildlife and conservation!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to our pride!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Aspinall Foundation
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the products and services offered at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve. Familiarise yourself with ticket types, dining packages, and animal experiences. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your enthusiasm for creating memorable experiences.
✨Showcase Your Sales Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you successfully achieved or exceeded sales targets. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will highlight your results-driven approach and ability to convert enquiries into confirmed sales.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Since this role is heavily focused on customer service, be ready to share instances where you went above and beyond for a customer. Highlight your communication skills and how you build lasting relationships with clients. This will show that you align with the company’s core values of being customer-focused.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
At the end of the interview, you’ll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about the team culture, training opportunities, or conservation efforts at the park. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.