CAREERS WITH COSMOS

Would you like to work for one of the UK's leading tour operators? Cosmos offers many exciting opportunities for enthusiastic and motivated people to work in either our Head Office (based in Bromley), our Call Centre (based in Stockport) or as a member of our Overseas team. For positions based in the UK, please email your CV to CV@cosmos.co.uk or for positions based Overseas, please email your CV to overseascv@cosmos.co.uk

Cosmos is the UK's longest established major Tour Operator, winning the coveted 2007 'Best Independent Tour Operator' award at the British Travel Awards. From our humble beginnings back in 1961, when we carried approximately 15,000 passengers, we have steadily grown and now carry in excess of 450,000 guests each year.

Cosmos Holidays Plc is part of a group that includes Cosmos Coach Tours, Archers Direct, somewhere2stay, Monarch Airlines and seat only specialists, Avro. Overseas, we are associated with the Globus organisation, world leaders in luxury European tours.

Our holiday programme carries guests predominantly to the popular Eastern and Western Mediterranean resorts, however, we also feature a long haul programme including the Caribbean, Africa, the Far East and America. We are also proud to be one of the leading UK operators offering Christmas short breaks to Lapland.

The main purpose of this role is to develop the consumer marketing strategy and oversee its implementation and evaluation for Cosmos Holidays. You will be responsible for compiling, implementing and evaluating annual marketing plans and budgets, ensuring all activity remains within budget and performance targets.

You will need several years experience in a direct marketing environment in a consumer focused organisation (travel industry experience useful but not essential). You will be commercially aware with extensive experience of marketing strategy development and budget management (in both customer acquisition and retention environments).

Ideally you will be studying for a professional Direct Marketing qualification (e.g. IDM, CIM) and have a thorough understanding (incl. hands-on experience) of marketing databases. You will be highly numerate and pragmatic with the ability to evaluate complex results sheets and statistical analysis as well as the creative capacity to input into the design of new communications. Strong interpersonal skills will be an asset, as will excellent presentation skills both verbal and written. You will possess the ability to work under pressure, use initiative, prioritise and work to tight deadlines. You will be proficient in Word and Excel packages and have excellent project management skills.

The main purpose of this role is to manage the planning, implementation and evaluation of all consumer marketing activities for Cosmos, Avro and Somewhere2Stay.com. You will be responsible for overall campaign planning including campaign objectives, proposition, targeting, and budgets.

You will need several years experience in a direct marketing environment in a consumer focused organisation and be commercially aware with experience of budget management and involvement in the development business strategies.

Ideally you will have or be studying for a professional Direct Marketing qualification (e.g. IDM, CIM, Degree). You will be highly numerate and pragmatic with the ability to evaluate complex results sheets as well as the creative capacity to input into the design of new communications. Strong interpersonal skills will be an asset as will excellent presentation skills both verbal and written. You will possess the ability to work under pressure, use initiative, prioritise and work to tight deadlines You will be proficient in Word and Excel packages and have excellent project management skills.

The Consumer & Legal Affairs Manager will have several years experience in Travel and specifically in a similar Customer Service Department. You will be a Customer Service Professional, with a very strong positive outlook, able to carry the Customer Care policies and philosophies through into the team.

You will be competent in the understanding and practical application of the Law with regard to Package Holidays, specifically with reference to Personal Injury Claims and Protocols; contract law, Package Holiday Regulations, Codes of Conduct and Arbitration procedures.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and also be highly numerate. You will possess the ability to work under pressure, use initiative, prioritise and work to tight deadlines. You will be proficient in Word and Excel packages and have excellent project management skills. You will also be a skilled negotiator with customers and Legal/consumer professionals.

Employment is initially for the Summer Season in a resort within our range of Eastern and Western Mediterranean resorts. However, many of our Overseas Consultants go on to work Winter seasons and continue to work with us for several years.

We are a forward thinking company with a strong commitment to staff development - we are particularly proud that so many of our Area Managers began work with us as Overseas Consultants and have progressed through the company.

Our Overseas staff are the people who have the greatest contact with our guests once they are on holiday, and as such our reputation depends on them. We are proud to have an excellent overseas team and anyone wishing to join them must be prepared to dedicate themselves to reach equally high standards.

Tourism is a constantly changing industry and as a result, you will find a role overseas both exciting and rewarding. All our overseas roles require great flexibility - you will be working six out of seven days and you may be contacted at any time if there is an emergency.

Hectic days and busy nights are what you can expect living and working overseas. The position of an Overseas Consultant involves hard work and long hours, but the rewards and benefits certainly make up for this. The more you put into the job, the more you will get out of it.

Because of the wide range of destinations we offer, knowledge of a foreign language is preferable, in particular, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or Greek. Please note, we are only able to offer positions to those holding a permanent UK National Insurance number. Additionally, holding a full UK driving licence is a great advantage.

Irrespective of which role you choose, we expect you to have the following personal attributes:

• Commitment to customer care
• Strong communication skills
• Confident, friendly personality
• An abundance of stamina!
• Flexibility
• Ability to meet targets and deadlines
• Sales skills
• Initiative

We are looking for individuals who enjoy life and have plenty of enthusiasm for the role. Strong customer service skills are essential and any sales experience you have will definitely be an advantage as you will be expected to actively promote our range of in resort excursions. This will also be coupled with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The role will include escorting coach transfers to and from the airport, presenting informative and accurate welcome meetings, making hotel visits to offer assistance and information to our guests, as well as dedicated customer service skills when resolving problems. Guiding excursions and bar crawls are all part of the job as well as completion of accurate paperwork, which also includes health and safety, checks

You will need to be confident with an outgoing personality, show commitment and most importantly have common sense.

You will have a genuine love of children. You'll need endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm as well as having loads of ideas for games and activities. You'll be able to use your initiative, creativity and imagination to ensure that the kids have a fun filled and exciting holiday.

We offer a range of clubs for various ages from the crèche for the under 3's through to a club especially for 12-15 year olds. You will be responsible for planning and running activities for children within these clubs as well as playing a vital part in the overall resort operation by assisting with airport transfers, welcome meetings, sales and guiding excursions.

You will require NNEB, BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent to work in the Crèche. For both roles you will need to have had a least 1 years-previous experience of working with children. You will be a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual who enjoys life and has plenty of stamina.

As an Operations Assistant you will be involved in all aspects of running a busy resort office, including handling hotel reservations, producing transfer lists, handling incoming calls to the resort office and dealing pro-actively with all issues. You will be computer literate and ideally familiar with using Word and Excel. You will also have a strong attention to detail and be prepared to work flexible hours. As our Overseas Consultants positions, you will need to be confident with an outgoing personality, show commitment and most importantly have common sense.