At a Glance
- Tasks: Create exceptional travel experiences for students and support them throughout their journeys.
- Company: World Challenge, a leader in experiential travel for youth development.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, training opportunities, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for overseas travel and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real impact on young people's lives through travel.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience preferred, strong communication skills, and a passion for travel.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About World Challenge
For almost 40 years, World Challenge has been creating powerful personal development opportunities for young people through experiential travel. Working in close partnership with schools, we design and deliver student-led expeditions and immersive learning experiences across the globe. Through challenge, responsibility and reflection, young people develop confidence, perspective and the ability to articulate who they are and what they are capable of, with impact that lasts well beyond the journey itself. World Challenge is part of the Experience Education Student Travel Group.
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a customer-focused individual to help create exceptional experiences for our customers, ensuring their journey with us is seamless from start to finish. As part of our Operations team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering outstanding support during both the planning stages and while teams are in destination.
Key Responsibilities
- Communicate with parents, students, and teachers via phone and email, addressing queries and ensuring participants are well-prepared for their trips.
- Provide ongoing support for teams during their expeditions, handling and documenting incidents, and ensuring participants can continue to enjoy their experience.
- Follow up on overdue payments by contacting customers who haven't responded to automated reminders and ensuring payments are processed within set time frames.
- Ensure all participant data, including medical information and passport details, is up-to-date and approved before departure.
- Act as a point of contact for customer feedback, resolving issues when possible and collaborating with other departments to improve customer satisfaction.
- Collaborate with School Relationship Managers and internal teams to address concerns regarding individuals or groups during expeditions.
- Identify and implement opportunities for improvement in operations and customer service.
What We Are Looking For
- Experience in a customer-facing role (preferred but not essential).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a friendly, professional approach.
- Desirable: Experience using a ticketing or email management system.
- Highly organised, able to prioritise tasks and balance multiple responsibilities.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to maintain focus over extended periods.
- Able to respond quickly to changing priorities and adapt to evolving situations.
- Comfortable thinking critically and offering solutions that balance customer needs with business objectives.
- Initiative-driven, with the ability to implement improvements to enhance processes and customer service.
- A passion for travel, education, and young people's development.
Working Hours & Shift Requirements
This role involves working as part of a rota to provide operational support throughout the year. Due to the nature of our activity and the seasonal demands of team travel, working hours vary and include a combination of standard office hours, evening and weekend work, and periods of night-shift coverage.
- Periods with no teams travelling: Standard Monday–Friday office hours, with no weekend work required.
- Peak season (mid-June to early August): A structured rota operates to ensure 24/7 operational support. This includes scheduled night shifts, evenings, and weekend work during this busy period. A night-shift premium is paid for each night shift worked.
- Quieter periods: The majority of hours are worked during daytime office hours; however, evening and weekend work may still be required as part of the rota.
- Flexibility required: Applicants must be comfortable working a rotating shift pattern, including evenings, nights, and weekends, depending on operational needs.
We are seeking a flexible and reliable individual who can adapt to seasonal demands and work effectively as part of a team delivering consistent operational support throughout the year.
Working for Us
- Full training provided in operating procedures, mental and physical first aid, and safeguarding.
- Hybrid working pattern split between our office and working from home.
- Opportunities to travel overseas on familiarisation trips.
- 25 days' annual leave plus public holidays and a bonus day off for your birthday, with an additional tenure-based allowance up to 5 extra days.
- Recognition and reward programme.
- Access to extensive online learning resources.
- In-house training opportunities.
- Regular social events.
- Various employee discounts and offers, including discounted trips with our brands.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We believe people are happiest and perform best when they can be their true selves, and that diverse teams deliver better results. We are committed to building an inclusive culture and embracing diversity in all its dimensions. This includes increasing awareness of unconscious bias and creating an environment where everyone can flourish.
Operations Co-Ordinator in Farnham employer: World Challenge
World Challenge is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture centred around personal development and experiential learning. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive training, opportunities for international travel, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Our flexible working arrangements and generous benefits, including 25 days of annual leave and a bonus day off for your birthday, make World Challenge an attractive place for individuals passionate about education and youth development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Co-Ordinator in Farnham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research World Challenge and understand their mission. When you show genuine interest in what they do, it’ll shine through in your conversations and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of interaction with parents, students, and teachers, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key. Try role-playing scenarios with friends or family.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your organisational skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks. This will help demonstrate that you can handle the dynamic nature of the role.
✨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 proactive and keen on joining the team at World Challenge.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Co-Ordinator in Farnham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Travel:Let us know why you're excited about the opportunity to work with young people and travel. Share any personal experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for education and adventure!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and directly related to the role of Operations Co-Ordinator.
Highlight Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be interacting with parents, students, and teachers, showcase your strong verbal and written communication skills. Give examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with what we're looking for, so don’t hesitate to apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at World Challenge
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand World Challenge's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to experiential travel and how they support young people's development. This will help you connect your own experiences and skills to what they’re looking for.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As an Operations Co-Ordinator, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled customer queries or resolved issues in the past. Practising clear and friendly communication will demonstrate that you can represent the company well.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Think about potential challenges you might face in this role, like managing a crisis during an expedition. Prepare to discuss how you would handle such situations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. This will show that you're proactive and ready for anything.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires juggling multiple responsibilities, be prepared to talk about how you prioritise tasks and stay organised. Share specific tools or methods you use to keep track of details, especially when it comes to managing participant data and ensuring everything is up-to-date.
