TRAVEL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE / RESERVATIONS COORDINATOR
GUILDFORD — HYBRID | 3 DAYS OFFICE, 2 DAYS HOME
UP TO £34,000 DOE + RESERVATIONS INCENTIVE UP TO 20%
Travel Operations Executivejob in Guildford within the luxury travel industry, offering up to £34,000 plus a reservations incentive of up to 20% of salary. This is a hybrid sales and service role covering end-to-end booking management, customer relations, upselling and administration within a multi-award-winning luxury river cruise business.
▌ Do You?
Do you have a natural ability to build rapport over the phone, combining genuine warmth with the confidence to upsell and maximise every booking opportunity?
Are you someone who takes pride in keeping records impeccable, processes on track and clients feeling truly looked after — even when the pace picks up?
And importantly, do you bring a positive, solutions-focused mindset and a real love of travel — with the drive to develop your knowledge and grow within a high-quality, purpose-led business?
▌ Our Customer
Our client is a multi-award-winning luxury travel specialist renowned for designing extraordinary experiences worldwide. With a reputation built on personalised service, exceptional destination knowledge and a genuine commitment to going the extra mile, they deliver holidays that leave a lasting impression — on both their guests and the travel agents who recommend them.
They are now seeking a Travel Operations Executive to join their Guildford-based team — a role at the heartbeat of the business, working closely with guests and trade partners to deliver a reservations experience that truly matches their five-star standards.
▌ The Role
In this role, you will manage post booking services — handling incoming enquiries, supporting guests and travel agents, and ensuring every detail is captured, followed up and delivered to the highest standard.
– Answer incoming calls promptly, professionally and with genuine warmth
– Keep all files, booking records and client preferences fully up to date
– Add and quote flights to match guest itineraries; manage date moves, cancellations and refunds
– Build and develop relationships with clients, travel agents and suppliers
– Create and send pre-departure documentation to agents and guests
– Support charter, group and agent function administration as required
– Contribute positively to team training and familiarisation opportunities
▌ Experience Required
– Previous experience in a sales or service role, either trade or consumer focused
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a warm, professional telephone manner
– Strong organisational skills — able to manage multiple bookings and deadlines simultaneously
– Competent user of MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams)
– Ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team
– A genuine love of travel and the ability to talk about it with confidence and sincerity
– Positive, flexible attitude and a willingness to develop and grow
– Travel industry experience or knowledge is highly desirable
– Experience using travel industry or airline booking systems is highly desirable
– Experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM
▌ Benefits
– Hybrid working — 3 days in the Guildford office (Mon, Wed, Thu), 2 days from home
– Up to £34,000 DOE
– Reservations incentive — up to 20% of salary
– 28 days annual leave
– Free holiday for self and partner
– Private medical cover
– Enhanced parental leave
– Familiarisation trip opportunities — experience the product first-hand
– Supportive, inclusive, high-performance culture
▌ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for a Travel Operations Executive in luxury travel?
The package is up to £34,000 DOE plus a reservations incentive of up to 20% of salary. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will share the full details of the package with shortlisted candidates.
What does hybrid working look like in this role?
Three days in the Guildford office — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday — with two days working from home.
Is travel industry experience required?
No — previous experience in a sales or service role is what matters most, alongside a genuine love of travel. Ambitions Travel Recruitment will fully brief all shortlisted candidates before interview.
How do I apply through Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Apply via this page. Ambitions Travel Recruitment reviews every application personally — no automated screening. Register at ambitionstravelrecruitment.com to be considered for future roles.
Who are Ambitions Travel Recruitment?
Ambitions Travel Recruitment is the leading global recruitment agency dedicated exclusively to leisure travel. We place exceptional professionals at every level, from entry-level roles to C-suite appointments, across tour operating, luxury and tailor-made travel, safari, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise, ski, and UHNW concierge businesses. Our specialist leisure travel recruitment services cover the UK, South Africa, the GCC, Asia and North America. Founded by Fi Morrison-Arnthal with 35+ years’ experience.
Click here to apply for this Luxury Travel Consultant job, which is being recruited by Ambitions Travel Recruitment.
Ambitions Travel Recruitment is the leading global recruitment agency dedicated exclusively to leisure travel. We place exceptional professionals at every level, from entry-level roles to C-suite appointments, across tour operating, luxury and tailor-made travel, safari, expedition and adventure travel, ocean and river cruise, ski, and UHNW concierge businesses. Our specialist leisure travel recruitment services cover the UK, South Africa, the GCC, Asia and North America. With over 100 combined years of industry experience, we are trusted by global corporations, independent travel businesses, and growing operators to source hard-to-find specialists through a headhunting approach that reaches candidates who never appear on job boards
▌IMPORTANT
– If this role ticks your boxes and you’ve got the relevant experience, then click and apply
– If this role isn’t for you but you’d be keen to receive suitable job alerts, then register with us now www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com
– Due to the massive number of applications we receive, we’re usually only able to reply to candidates whose requirements meet our customers’ needs. We’re super grateful that you take the time to apply, and we will save your CV and be in touch for other suitable roles
– Please visit our website www.ambitionstravelrecruitment.com for our full privacy policy which explains how we store and access your personal data and our candidate promise to never share your details with an employer without your prior consent etc.
