Role Overview

Join to apply for the Retail Travel Consultant role at The Times. Our digital travel retail operation lets consumers plan and book holidays both online and offline across a wide variety of product types.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, responding to enquiries via telephone, email, WhatsApp and live chat.
• Create bespoke holiday proposals tailored to client requirements across cruise, touring and luxury tailor‑made.
• Own the administrative elements of all bookings; confirmations, invoicing.
• Liaise directly with hotels, airlines, cruise lines and tour operators to ensure accuracy and seamless travel arrangements.
• Proactively generate enquiries from our existing client base.
• Achieve and exceed sales performance targets.
• Own and manage the entire process from itinerary creation to booking, invoicing and managing pre‑ and post‑sales enquiries, accommodating any special requests.
• Curate new and exciting holiday itineraries, aligned to editorial content, to engage customers and encourage sales.
• Load itineraries into the CMS for both marketing opportunities and customer quotes.
• Assist with ad hoc projects and activities to support marketing and business growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in a retail travel sales environment.
• An articulate and confident telephone manner.
• Experience in sales and working within a target‑driven environment.
• Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A friendly, enthusiastic attitude and willingness to tackle any task.
• Proven experience working towards and achieving sales targets and KPIs.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new computer systems.
• A genuine passion for travel, exploring new destinations and learning about new experiences, cultures and travel products.
• In‑depth knowledge of luxury travel products, particularly cruise, touring and tailor‑made holidays.
• First‑hand travel experience in areas like Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada or Asia is desirable.

Working Hours

• Monday – Friday: 9am to 6pm – rostered shift pattern.
• Saturday: 10am to 5pm – rostered shift pattern.
• Initial 20 days holiday (+ bank holidays), increasing by 1 day per year worked, up to a maximum of 23 days.
• Flexibility to work weekends and out‑of‑hours. We will be increasing our opening hours and opening on Sundays in the coming weeks.

Benefits

• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks.
• Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access.
• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre‑existing conditions.
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes.
• Bikes for Work and Electric Car scheme.
• Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books.
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities.
• Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling.
• A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%.

We want to hear from people who have a passion to learn and develop. If you think you have what it takes but don’t tick every requirement on the list, please do apply.