Operative - Permanent Job - Full Time

Edwin Doran Sports Tours are part of the Experience Education group who have a collection of the world’s most exciting specialist travel brands. Edwin Doran are the market leader in sports travel and have taken more teams on tour than any other sports tour operator. Our staff have the know- how gained over years in the business to set up fixtures between equally matched teams. We use our extensive contacts to arrange billeting in host countries, so players on our school sports tours can really engage with the local people and culture.
The role
Reporting to the Senior Tour Operator as part of the Edwin Doran Sports Tours Operations team, within this role you will be responsible for organising seamless tour experiences for up to 50 group Sports Tours per year. The tours travel all over the world with high concentrations in Europe, Caribbean, South Africa and Australasia.

The role exists to ensure that the Customer receives a high level of personalised service and allow for extra touches to be made, which are key to maintaining the Edwin Doran Sports Tours brand. The role requires you to develop outline tour itineraries into detailed, often complex, tailor-made itineraries with granular information. You should be part of the team that looks to exceed the customers’ expectations. These tours require logistical planning and preparation, as we supply tailor-made group sports tour itineraries to suit our customers’ needs. At the same time attention must be given to the commercial and safety requirements of the business. Management of supplier and customer relationships is key to this role.

What you’ll be doing
Manage customer’s needs from the moment a new Tour is agreed.
Plan detailed and complex itineraries for multi-centre short and long haul tours
Use our existing contacts or source new accommodation, excursions & other tour elements
Co-ordinate sporting fixtures to the relevant team standards / level of play
Work closely with the Tour Manager to piece together a “once in a lifetime” trip for the team
Negotiate rates with suppliers & ground Service agents
Ensure all final itinerary details are prepared and given to the group
Work with overseas suppliers and ensure that all Health & Safety Audits are complete.
Financially take responsibility for checking & authorizing tour payments to suppliers.
Attend Fam Trips & visits to roadshows to keep product knowledge up to date & relevant
Work closely with the sales team to ensure that Tour requests are handed over accurately
Manage on call phone (within a rota)

What we are looking for
A good understanding of Sports participation and the various needs of each sport, such as their playing
surface, playing age regulations, size of teams / squads, across a broad range of sports to include;
Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Hockey and Football
Knowledge or experience of Group Travel is advantageous
Hands on team player
A finisher with attention to detail
Well-travelled, ideally with a knowledge of sport participations needs.
Excellent organization and planning skills
Commercial acumen
Experience of product research and analysis is useful.
Knowledge of Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Office & Powerpoint essential
Ability to quickly learn systems, processes and procedures

Some of the benefits
~ Hybrid working pattern between our office and homeworking
~ Annual Bonus scheme
~ Opportunities to travel overseas on familiarisation trips
~25 days of annual leave plus public holidays and a bonus day off for your birthday; we also have a tenure based annual leave benefit, up to a maximum of an additional 5 days depending on length of service
~ Global recognition and reward programme
~ Access to extensive online learning resources
~ In-house training opportunities
~ Regular social events
~ Various employee discounts and offers, including discounted trips with our brands


We believe that people are happier and perform best when they are able to be their true selves and that diverse teams deliver better results.
We are committed to building an inclusive culture and embracing diversity in all its dimensions. This includes inspiring change through increasing awareness of unconscious bias.
Together we will cultivate a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment, where everyone can flourish.