Johannesburg: Senior Operations Specialist posted by Wilderness Safaris

Location: Johannesburg or Cape Town Reports to: Reservations Manager Company: Wilderness Are you detail-oriented, passionate about travel, and thrive in a fast-paced environment? Join Wilderness as a Senior Operations Specialist and play a pivotal role in delivering seamless luxury journeys across Africa! About the Role As a Senior Operations Specialist, youll provide comprehensive operational and administrative support throughout the booking lifecycle, working closely with Travel Designers. From the quoting stage to post-travel file archiving, youll ensure every detail is managed, supplier relationships are strong, and guest experiences are flawless. Key Responsibilities Sales & Booking Lifecycle Support: Collaborate with Travel Designers from quoting to completion, ensuring operational accuracy and continuity. Agent/Guest Engagement: Engage directly with agents and guests to collect and manage all required information, ensuring its accurately captured and communicated. Supplier & Service Coordination: Act as the main contact for suppliers, reconfirm services, manage special requests, and coordinate value-adds for VIP guests. System & Documentation Management: Maintain up-to-date booking information, upload documents, and compile itinerary materials for review. Financial & Payment Support: Manage supplier invoices, payments, and ensure all services are paid prior to travel. Guest Journey Support: Monitor guest travel, resolve in-country issues, and archive booking files post-travel. Product Knowledge: Stay current on Wilderness camps and experiences across Southern & East Africa, and attend regular training to deepen destination expertise. Systems & Technology: Use industry systems (Wilderness Window, WETU, Smartbox, Tourplan, etc.) to streamline processes and enhance service delivery. Candidate Profile Qualifications: Matric with Maths (Standard Grade or higher); tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism or Hospitality. Experience: 45 years in a senior reservations operations role; proven experience in customer service, familiarity with TourPlan and Microsoft Office. Skills: Exceptional attention to detail, strong communication (English required, European languages advantageous), organisational skills Personal Attributes: Creative, proactive, service-driven, passionate about wildlife and conservation, able to work under pressure, and dedicated to customer satisfaction. Why Wilderness? Join a passionate team dedicated to conservation and luxury travel. Deepen your expertise through ongoing training and familiarisation trips. Be part of a company that values initiative, accuracy, and going the extra mile. Interests: A passion for wildlife and a commitment to sustainability and conservation. Apply for this position with us on WhatsApp. Simply send the word Hi to 260761166303