Bookings Officer

Full time

Permanent contract, live-in (where required)

**Location**: Abernethy, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire, PH25 3ED

**Start Date**: Immediate

This is a fantastic opportunity to live and work in the Scottish Highlands and be part of a Christian Community providing excellent hospitality.

The Booking Officer is responsible for handling incoming enquiries and repeat bookings for the centre and will provide a seamless handover to operational departments by making sure that the contracting and pre-event planning processes are executed effectively. The role will involve close co-ordination with all departments and customers to ensure a consistent high level of service throughout each event. Working closely with the Business Development Manager, the Booking Officer will help with both proactive and reactive sales efforts in order to generate new business and to ensure a high level of repeat business.

**WHO WE ARE**:
Founded in 1971, Abernethy is a ministry that combines outdoor activity, residential experience and Christian team witness. Adventure is at the heart of Abernethy and we love seeing people gain confidence and grow through being in the outdoors.

The team at Abernethy are all Christians. We are passionate about the outdoors, community, hospitality and witness. We are motivated by our belief in a good and generous God who created an incredible natural world which, through its very existence, shouts His praise. We believe that every person is unique, valuable and deeply loved by the creator God.

**KEY ROLES**:
**Bookings Officer (3 days)**
- To maximise occupancy for the centre throughout the year
- Handle incoming enquiries in a professional and efficient manner, liaising with key departments as required to ensure the smooth running of events at the centre
- Work with Business Development Manager and Centre Director to help generate new business for the centre, undertaking proactive sales tasks as directed

**Office team member (2 days)**
- To provide a friendly and efficient reception service to the Centre.
- To assist in providing an effective administration service for the work of the Centre.

**QUALITIES, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE**:

- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Good telephone manner ability to build relationships with new and potential schools/groups
- Ability to prioritise and use own initiative
- Self-starter with a keen eye for detail
- Demonstrate a high level of sales and customer service skills
- IT literate, preferably with an understanding of Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- It is a genuine occupational requirement that the holder of this post is a practising Christian whose lifestyle is consistent with the values and doctrine of the Christian faith

**WE WOULD ALSO LOVE YOU TO HAVE**:

- A college or university qualification in an events or sales discipline, or
- Experience in an events, sales or office environment
- Experience working for a charity
- A passion for outdoor education

**WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU**:

- Monthly salary
- Full-board single accommodation provided, if required
- Paid annual leave (30 days per annum, inclusive of bank holidays)
- Use of Centre facilities including outdoor equipment.
- Opportunities to take an active role within the life of our local church and Christian youth work
- Living as part of a vibrant Christian community in a beautiful part of Scotland
- Opportunity for personal training and development
- Weekly Team Fellowship on a Wednesday evening
- Very favourable rates for family on most Abernethy holidays and camps
- Participation in our annual 3-day Team Gathering
- Easy access to the local area including the Cairngorm mountains, river Spey and the Moray coast - a fantastic outdoor playground

**INTERESTED?**: