Sports Specialist - Travel
Johannesburg North, Gauteng
Posted 8 days ago
- Company:
- Innovation Advance
- Company Description:
- Innovation Advance provides customised training and recruitment solutions that are tailor made to suit what is currently relevant, needed most and perfect for your specific needs. We love doing what we do and believe that learning and progression should be ongoing, valuable and inspiring. We take learning seriously but, we also believe that it should be fun and that achievement should be celebrated.
- Contract Type:
- Full Time
- Experience Required:
- 3 to 4 years
- Education Level:
- Bachelor
- Number of vacancies:
- 1
Job Description
About the Role
As a Sports Specialist, you’ll be at the heart of our clients Sports and Events division, crafting dynamic inbound and outbound journeys that speak directly to the needs of our diverse clientele. You’ll be responsible for quoting, booking, and coordinating every detail—from flights to unique itineraries—ensuring every customer’s travel experience is flawless and memorable.
What You’ll Do
Design & Deliver Exceptional Journeys:
o Create and manage customized travel itineraries for both B2B and B2C markets in the sports and events arena.
o Quote and reserve services using tools like Tourplan (and manually when required).
Drive Product Innovation:
o Proactively contribute to product development by keeping our offerings current, competitively costed, and tailored to client demand.
o Source new products and creative ideas that keep our travel experiences ahead of the curve.
Client Care & Administration:
o Assess and respond to client or agent needs promptly—ensuring that every interaction reinforces our commitment to excellence.
o Manage the full spectrum of reservations, documentation (itineraries, travel packs, vouchers, rooming lists), and effective communication throughout the travel process.
o Oversee flight bookings and address client queries, including handling and escalating any issues as they arise.
Financial & Performance Reporting:
o Ensure accurate costings and maintain robust financial reporting including variance analyses and margin tracking.
o Submit timely reports and adhere to all operational deadlines.
Relationship Building & Team Collaboration:
o Nurture impactful relationships with clients and preferred suppliers.
o Collaborate seamlessly with sales, marketing, and leadership teams, offering guidance and mentoring to ensure our collective success.
Continuous Learning & Development:
o Stay on top of industry trends by attending sports industry events, seminars, and trade shows.
o Continuously update your product knowledge and bring fresh insights into the role.
Who We’re Looking For:
Qualifications:
o A Matric certificate plus a Travel & Tourism qualification.
o Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in the tourism industry (both inbound and outbound).
Technical & Industry Expertise:
o Proficiency in Tourplan is essential.
o Solid knowledge of Marathon World is a must.
o Experience using ZOHO is an advantage.
Core Competencies:
o Outstanding client care and relationship management skills.
o Detail-oriented with strong analytical abilities.
o Proactive, innovative, and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
o A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills.
Why This Opportunity?
• Innovative Environment: Work in a dynamic, forward-thinking atmosphere dedicated to reshaping travel experiences in the sports and events sector.
• Growth & Development: Enjoy a career that not only values your expertise but also offers continuous professional growth through industry events and targeted training.
• Impact: Play a pivotal role in transforming and elevating travel experiences—where your work directly contributes to exceeding customer expectations and driving sales performance.
Ready to Elevate the Sports Travel Experience?
If you’re a dedicated travel professional ready to design unique journeys and push the boundaries of innovation in the sports events space, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with your resume and a cover letter detailing your passion for travel and expertise in the industry.
This is your chance to make a tangible impact in a dynamic sector—join us and let your passion for travel and sports shine!