FIT Executive , 9 Months Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

THE COMPANY

The Abbey Group is an established and fast-growing Destination Management Company dedicated to selling the destinations of Ireland and the UK to the International travel trade on a B2B basis. The Group has offices in Dublin and Edinburgh with a remote team presence across Ireland, the UK and a number of European countries. Today, the group consists of Abbey Ireland & UK, Abbey Conference & Events and Moloney & Kelly Ireland & UK.

The Group has four divisions specialising in specific types of inbound tourism:

• Group Travel
• Individual & Online Travel
• Incentive & Luxury Leisure Travel
• Conferences & Events

WHY WORK FOR US

• Progressive Company
• Learning and development opportunities – individual training budget per year
• Active Social Committee and Green Team including free events throughout the year
• Deloitte Best Managed company for 14 consecutive years
• Hybrid/blended working option available
• Employee Assistance Programme – health & wellbeing support
• Up to 60 days per year remote working abroad
• A paid day off on your birthday & an additional paid day off over the Christmas period
• The Abbey Group is proud to hold a certification for being a Great Place To Work UK & Great Place to Work Ireland

TITLE OF VACANCY:

FIT Executive (9-month Maternity Cover), Edinburgh based, Hybrid.

THE ROLE:

Using Tourplan (in-house Tour Operating and booking system) to efficiently quote FIT enquiries and to make consequent bookings and reservations for hotels and other ancillary service.

This is a UK based position reporting to the FIT Manager UK.

CORE DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Undertake FIT client reservations in an efficient and a focused manner
• Ensure agreed response times to clients are met and all reservations undertaken are accurate
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Abbey Clients under your care
• Deliver first class customer service to our clients
• Provide assistance to other Abbey UK staff in the business development and operations of agreed leisure and incentive bookings.
• Working with our reservation system Tourplan, ensure all procedures are adhered to and as directed by your line manager and potentially clients extranets.
• Work with the Manager to support in quoting programmes and rates to existing and new clients
• Hotel and other service reservations, maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Take part in the on call backup services including a 24 hour telephone backup service on a rotating basis
• Ensure the profit margin targets on bookings under your care are achieved as laid out in company pricing guidelines (per market) and as directed by your manager
• Assisting the Abbey Group with its environmental and responsible tourism initiatives
• A hands on approach to developing FIT business for the UK from existing and potential new clients. Key to this will be developing a clear understanding of the client’s needs and deadlines, offering existing and new programmes to fulfil those needs and ensuring that the client has all the necessary material and information to present this information to their clients whether in brochure or online format.
• Provide assistance to other Abbey UK staff in the business development and operations of agreed leisure bookings.
• Full utilisation of the Tourplan system to generate all client quotations and subsequent follow up, also ensuring that the confirmed proposal is accurately reflected in Tourplan
• Any agreed sales and marketing activities, either in Ireland and the UK or in the overseas market place. This could take the form of either desk-based activities or direct agent/client interaction, including attending trade shows.
• The position may also extend to cover support in any of the Company’s Groups and Operations Departments as the need arises.
• Support with the supervision of any staff/trainees assigned to the area.
• Any other duties as assigned from time to time by your Manager or Director.
• Assisting the Abbey Group with its environmental and responsible tourism initiatives.
• You will report to FIT Manager UK, which may change at some point in the future.
• Depending on role - Some international travel may be required and will be in compliance with the company’s Business Travel Policy.

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential:

• Very good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluency in English is essential
• Excellent organisational skills with good attention to detail
• Excellent customer care and communication skills
• Team player able to work in a busy environment

Desirable:

• Relevant degree qualification in Languages, Business or Tourism
• Fluency in French
• A good knowledge of the UK-wide inbound tourism industry products
• Some experience of handling VIP and/or luxury FIT accounts
• Experience using Tourplan
• Travel & Tourism degree or relevant travel industry experience preferable

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Tourism: 2 years (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edinburgh, EH2 4SD

Reference ID: FIT Exec
Expected start date: 02/09/2024