Explore is an adventure travel expert focused on sustainable, small group holidays which create stories to tell for a lifetime. From classic group tours and family adventures, to walking, wildlife and cycling trips. With around 100 countries to choose from, our customers explore the world with us. Join us on our journey, creating extraordinary travel experiences for all.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do, as has the ethos of continual improvement. A trusted brand – B Corp certified and a Feefo Platinum Service Award holder, we pride ourselves on doing the right thing, by our people, our customers, and the planet. In a complicated world that's full of potential, we strive to be better than yesterday.

We put people at the heart of everything we do and are proud of the extensive benefits we offer.

This role is based in Farnborough, Hampshire with 2 days per week in the office. Our office is within walking distance of the train station and has free parking. This position is available part-time (30 hours per week) or full-time (37.5 hours per week).

Salary: £28,000 p.a. pro-rata + bonus

About the role:

You will join our Trade Sales team, and be dedicated to ensuring continued support and growth across our agency business. You’ll provide predominantly office-based support to our trade partners, acting as the vital link between our on-the-road sales team and internal departments. Key responsibilities:

• Follow up on actions from Business Development Manager visits and roadshow events.

• Support the on-the-road team with statistics and by answering agent queries.

• Make ‘thank you’ calls for bookings and assist with enquiry conversion.

• Manage the trade inbox to ensure timely responses and smooth communication.

• Monitor competitor activity and communicate to team.

• Respond to agency sales queries via email, phone and social media.

• Build strong relationships with agency partners through regular communication.

• Act as the central liaison between field sales and internal departments.

• Update and refresh the agent marketing suite with campaigns, images, video content, and POS material.

• Distribute sales and marketing assets and campaigns to trade partners.

• Compile and send regular e-shots to agency partners using Mailchimp.

• Proofread marketing materials for agency promotions.

• Collaborate with the Marketing Team to post engaging content on social channels (e.g. Agents’ Facebook group).

• Maintain agent profiles and set up new agencies in database.

• Work with the Business Intelligence team to load trade promotions into the booking system and communicate T&Cs.

• Update contact lists in the trade database.

• Track and report ROI from activities and partnerships.

• Maintain marketing, contacts, and ROI spreadsheets.

• Fulfil agent concession bookings and brochure requests.

• Administrative tasks to support our referral partners.

• Assist with organising trade events and familiarisation (FAM) trips.

• Represent Explore at UK and overseas events and FAM trips.

• Source and deliver sustainable prizes for agent competitions and incentives.

• Support the Business Development Managers with delivering sales and training presentations to agency partners.

• Design PowerPoint presentations, flyers, and social posts using Canva.

Am I the right person?  We are looking for your application to demonstrate:

• A track record of building and maintaining relationships at every level.

• Experience of providing a high level of customer service.

• A pro-active mindset.

• An organised, self-motivated, and collaborative team player who can work independently, but thrives on team success.

• Confidence with answering queries and identifying and resolving issues.

• Excellent communicator – both written and verbal, with acute attention to detail.

• Able to use initiative to contribute creatively to tasks and projects.

• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

• Competent user of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

• Experience of working in the travel industry is desirable.

• Passionate about sustainability.

• Skills with Canva and/or Mailchimp are desirable.

• You must be willing to travel to UK and overseas destinations.

Whilst we work hard the company ethos is that we work in a place that is both positive and fun, and so it is essential that you are able to fit into this environment.

We aim to be better than yesterday and our values will be close to your heart.

Diversity is to be celebrated. Life would be dreary, and change would be slow, if we all thought the same way. We challenge our ideas, each other, and our business partners - always with respect and kindness.

Explore is part of Hotelplan Group, a well-established and diverse family of specialist tour operators, with a long tradition of developing and operating market-leading experiences. The family comprises ski, walking and Lapland holidays with Inghams and Santa’s Lapland; adventure travel with Explore; and self-guided holidays with Inntravel. Sustainability and responsible tourism is at the core of everything we do, and should be a passion for everyone employed by the group.