Career Opportunities at Wilderness

PRIMARY PURPOSE

• To generate and grow sales whilst maintaining required GP%, great relationships and high-level customer service by offering world-class itineraries to exceed guests' expectations.
• To secure, cost and present product to the agent/guest accurately, efficiently, timeously by creating inspirational luxury travel. Have an excellent knowledge and good geographical understanding of all Southern and East African destinations as well as day-to-day regional logistics.

*This position can be based in either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Detailed Responsibilities:

Develop relationships with Agents:

• Liaise with the Reservations Manager on sales potential and any development on the agent relationship for all bookings.
• Continuous communication and excellent service delivery to agents at all times.
• Build relationships with agents based on trust and support, knowing their business trends and guests needs.

General:

• Keep Agents’ booking information updated in the ARM (likes/dislikes – booking habits etc.) 
• Keep updated with all Wilderness and 3rd party product (AP), as well as technology updates.
• Streamline operational negotiations by also reducing dead beds, waitlist chasing and maximising camp operations role to create those life-changing journeys for guests.

Quoting bookings – Design, develop and plan guests’ journeys:

• Quote accurately and timeously keeping in mind our strategic and preferred AP and upsell where possible to benefit both WS and the agent ensuring relevant information is obtained from the ARM prior to quoting.
• Stipulate and utilize applicable specials in the WW and make appropriate notes as required as per AP’s systems and procedures.
• Understand the agents/guests needs in each booking. Design itineraries around company guidelines and product knowledge e.g. area, variety, product status and service consistency in accommodation standard, distances travelled and time saving aspects.
• Follow up on all outstanding provisional bookings with the agents, consistently understanding the yield implication of provisional space held.
• Measure sales and GP% per agent in conjunction with Sales, identifying variations and maintaining good GP’s per booking.

Confirmed Bookings in accordance with company procedures:

• Create the automated deposit invoice including all services that are confirmed and need to be delivered in accordance to the agents agreed T&Cs, ensure bookings are not exposed on the TFS reports.
• Ensure that the deposit requirements in the WW match what the AP advises on the quote to mitigate exposure risk in each booking.
• Process any additional changes/updates after confirmation to the itinerary.
• All required travel information to be obtained from the Agent and sent to the Operations Specialist e.g. bed configuration, dietaries, ages of children, group dynamics and any other additional information from the agent.
• Review guest travel docs completed in conjunction with the operations team support and ensure details are correct prior to sending out to the agent.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• Matric certificate – with math's (minimum standard grade or above) 
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality. 

Experience:                     

• 4-5 years’ experience at a senior level.
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).
• Proven English literacy.
• Working knowledge of TourPlan and WISH or similar booking/operating system. 
• Great product knowledge on Southern & East Africa.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Skills:               

• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, in English.
• Foreign European language skills advantageous.

Personal Abilities:

• Creative, organized and good communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy.
• Ability to pace oneself and prioritise demands.
• Team worker and ability to interface with various departments.
• Consistent approach to quality of output, service and result orientated.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE

• To process debtor’s payments, general debtor administration and collection. Posting of the deposits cashbook including the reciprocal inter-company and internal receipting of accounts

*This position is based in Johannesburg.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Process payments against debtors account both term and non-term.
• Reconcile differences between payment amount and invoice amount notifying the consultants / Agent of any short/over payment or query.
• Review the cash collection report as a working document.
• Follow up with short paid invoices still due and overdue.
• Obtain action plan to be taken to collect money timeously.
• Follow up on payment due by debtors.
• Follow up on any problems/queries.
• Assist with report preparation on debtor’s status for management.
• Provide feedback to consultants on account status including overdue terms, credit limits where applicable, queries, short and overpayments.
• Respond to queries from debtor, consultant or management.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• Matric with Accounting as a subject.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Computer Literate

Experience:                   

• 3 years’ experience in debtor’s control/debtors clerical role.
• International Company experience/exposure

Skills:             

• Posting cashbooks
• Creating invoices and credit notes
• Creating and posting journal entries

Personal Abilities:

• Organised, methodical, accurate, and analytical.
• Good team player with the ability to interface with a variety of departments and people.
• Good telephone manner and skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Deadline and result orientated.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE

The ideal candidate will need to be well versed in Guest Relations with excellent communication skills as well as a high aptitude for customer interaction and to understand and pre-empt the overall needs and wants for a guest’s stay. Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment and be a great team player who thrives in making a guest journey from ordinary to extraordinary. 

*This position can be based in either Johannesburg, Cape Town or Nairobi.
 

Detailed Responsibilities

• Create seamless service delivery through regular correspondence with guests during their stay. Delighting them with high attention while focusing on the intricacies of the guest's journey.
• Maintain effective communication with all journey stakeholders to ensure a smooth & friendly service delivery whilst ensuring all requirements are communicated effectively and efficiently.
• Deal promptly, efficiently, and pleasantly with any queries and resolve guest queries.
• Operating according to and in compliance with Wilderness standards of operations, company policies and procedures and code of conduct.
• Offer highly personalised guest touch-points which generate significant real and perceived value through strong relationships with trade partners.
• Have extensive knowledge of all regions we package, attending all training sessions and site inspections where necessary.
• Analyse guest feedback and provide solutions to ensure continuous improvement towards guest satisfaction and thus positively impacting future travel.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• Matric certificate – with maths (minimum standard grade or above).  
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality.

Experience:                  

• Min 5 years’ experience at a Senior level in Reservations.   
• Experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and services in the inbound travel industry.  
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).
• Proven English literacy.   
• Working knowledge of TourPlan and WISH or similar booking/operating system. 
• General destination knowledge on Southern & East Africa.   
• Personal and work travel experience in Southern and East Africa.  
• Problem solver and good with guest interaction.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Skills:               

• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, in English.   
• Foreign language skills advantageous   
• Ability to multitask and ensure good time-management  
• Extremely proactive with an outgoing, charismatic, and approachable character.  

Personal Abilities:

• Creative, organized, and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy.
• Ability to pace oneself and prioritise demands.
• Team worker and ability to interface with various departments.
• Good, follow-up skills.
• A consistent approach to quality of output, service, and result orientated.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE

To accurately capture and reconcile invoices in the accounting system in order to effect payment accurately and timeously to Creditors. 

Detailed Responsibilities

• Ensure invoices are properly authorized in accordance with levels of authority and allocate to the correct Supplier and General Ledger accounts on a daily basis.
• Refer to creditors terms before preparing payment.
• In the case of a discrepancy contact the responsible consultant.
• Reconcile Supplier statement to creditors processed invoices in GP per the AP Age analysis.
• If the Supplier account is not loaded, request GP support to load the supplier details.
• Once the above has been completed you can submit the invoice for payment.
• Email the bank “Proof of Payment” to the supplier.
• File completed creditor documentation immediately, monthly and in alphabetical order.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:-

• Matric with Maths or Accounting as a subject.
• Computer Literate especially Basic Excel.
• Creditors or Bookkeeping Diploma.

Experience:-                     

• Tourplan and experience in the Travel Industry.
• At least 5 year experience in a Creditor’s function.

Personal Abilities:-

• Methodical, organised, disciplined and ability to work to deadlines.
• A team worker who can liaise with several different regional offices and Consultants.
• Good communication skills both written and oral.
• Positive attitude and solution driven.
• Good time management skills.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE

Manage the Financial & Accounting Function so as to provide relevant, accurate and meaningful financial information on a consistent and timeous basis – both historic and future based.

* This position is based in Johannesburg.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Reconciliation and control of various General Ledger (GL) accounts.
• Review and control of all bank accounts: ZAR, USD, EUR and GBP.
• Maintain and develop fixed assets process and review GL accounts.
• Reconcile, control and submission of Income Tax and other tax computations and returns.
• Preparation of Management Accounts.
• Reconciliation of Sales & COS to TFS Reports, Product Analysis and maintenance of GP%
• Oversee the audit including preparation of audit packs and attending to audit queries.
• Complete pre month-end checks and assist with month-end close of Tourplan entities.
• Preparation of monthly cash flow forecast and quarterly rolling forecast.
• Ad hoc assignments/projects and administrative duties.
• Set up income statements and balance to Tourplan.
• Set up balance sheets and balance to Tourplan.
• Set up Foreign Balance sheet and reconcile Foreign Currencies to month end exchange rates and Balance to Reporting Currency Balance Sheets.
• Download Month End Product Analysis in Various Categories.
• Calculate MTD and YTD GP Percentage.
• Compare to the Actual GP Percentage.

* The above is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• CA (SA) - newly qualified.
• Computer Literate with a good working knowledge of MS Excel.

Experience:                 

• At least 3 years working experience in articles at an audit firm.
• Has worked in a supervisory position and can work independently.
• International company experience or exposure.
• Exposure to foreign currencies.

Skills:                 

• Sound working knowledge of IFRS.
• Working knowledge of Income Tax, VAT and Company law.
• Knowledge of TourPlan, Great Plains and Tagetik would be beneficial.

Personal Abilities:

• Leadership qualities.
• Team player with the ability to interface with a variety of departments and people.
• Organised, methodical, accurate and analytical.
• Deadline and result orientated.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good time management and the ability to multi-task.
• Hard worker with the ability to deal with change.
• Perform well under pressure.
• Ability to pay attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture.
• Interested in nature & conservation.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE

To fill a full operations role in the booking process, working hand in hand with the Travel Designer, but being the first line in relationships with suppliers and administration of the entire backend of each booking made by the Travel Designer.

To secure the booking with all services providers including travel designers accurately, efficiently, timeously and with zero errors.

*This position can be based in either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Detailed Responsibilities:

Develop relationships with Agents:

• Liaise with travel designers on all bookings in an operational capacity
• Communicate continuous with suppliers and internal sales support teams which includes trust and excellent support

General:

• Keep all booking information updated in the system ensuring CRM is continually up to date.
• Add all special requests from the agent into WW e.g. honeymoon, birders, dietaries, ages etc.
• Advise RARA if rates are not loaded or correctly linked on the WW once booking is handed over and any new discrepancies are found after confirmation.
• Keep updated with all WS and AP product updates, as well as technology updates.
• Keep abreast with company policies, procedures and system updates.

Bookings Operations:

• Contact suppliers in writing to confirm or cancel relevant services giving them all special requirements as mentioned above, ensuring that cancelled space has indeed been cancelled.
• Receive a confirmed booking from Travel Designer including special requests e.g. bed configuration, dietaries, ages of children, group dynamics and any other additional information from the agent. Ensure all service lines are loaded correctly in the WW.
• On receipt of confirmed bookings from Travel Designer – check for any discrepancies between the voucher in TP and the suppliers invoice and that all information is saved in WW.
• Update and review all information in WW match the supplier documents.
• Arrange welcome letters for guests and send to suppliers.
• Accuracy when compiling document packs when required for distribution.
• Present doc packs to the travel designer for final review.
• Complete electronic version of the travel itinerary confirmed with times, flight details and contact details of properties and guides.
• Pre-tour information - verify and edit info where necessary to accommodate the itinerary.
• Qualify guests' expectations when complaints are made and if they are requiring refunds or FOC services and communicate options to Travel designers to present to agents.
• Electronically file and archive travelled booking files 6 months after date of travel.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualification:

• Matric certificate – with math's (minimum standard grade or above) 
• Tertiary certificate in Travel & Tourism/hospitality. 

Experience:                     

• 2-4 years’ experience in the travel & tourism industry at an intermediate level.
• Experience in handling customer relationships and developing & promoting product and services in the inbound travel industry.
• Computer Literate (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).
• Proven English literacy.
• Working knowledge of TourPlan and WISH or similar booking/operating system. 

Skills:               

• Excellent communication skills both written and oral, in English.
• Foreign European language skills advantageous.

Personal Abilities:

• Creative, organized and good communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure without compromising accuracy.
• Ability to pace oneself and prioritise demands.
• Team worker and ability to interface with various departments.
• Consistent approach to quality of output, service and result orientated.