Operations & Admin Assistant (Fixed Term Contract)

Who Are We?

Founded in Edinburgh in 2004, Absolute Escapes is an award-winning specialist in walking holidays and tailor-made travel across the UK & Ireland.

We pride ourselves on our first-hand knowledge and attention to detail, which ensures we exceed the expectations of our clients from all over the world. By listening closely to our clients’ needs, we craft unique itineraries that perfectly balance adventure with seamless logistics.

We help people reconnect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves – offering them the time and space to rejuvenate, no matter how busy their lives may be. Every holiday we create is as unique as the person it’s designed for.

Job Description

As part of our continued growth plans, we are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and professional individual to join our team as an Operations & Admin Assistant. This position is for a 7-8 month period and would suit someone interested in tourism looking to gain experience in an exciting and fast-paced industry. There is the possibility that this will develop into a permanent position.

Working at Absolute Escapes you will be able to share your passion for travel and the outdoors by preparing materials for clients and providing support to our operations team, who are as passionate about travel as you are.

The role will play an integral part in delivering the walking holidays and tailor-made tours that we provide for our UK and international clients. You will be highly organised with meticulous attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills, as you will be working with our clients and suppliers in the tourism industry.

You will be involved in the operational area of the business and will assist in creating our client documentation, manage client feedback and provide administrative and additional support to the operations and marketing team.

This role would suit someone with a keen interest in writing, travel and the outdoors, as well as a good knowledge of the UK & Ireland as a tourism destination, and who may be interested in a career in the industry.

Location

This is primarily an office-based role, but you’ll have the flexibility to work remotely for up to 40% of your hours. Absolute Escapes office is located in the heart of Edinburgh at Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Create and Personalise Clients’ Itineraries: Compile tailor-made and walking itineraries for clients, ensuring all details are clear and accurate and that internal processes have been followed.
• Manage Post-Holiday Feedback: Handle post-trip feedback from clients, address any issues that may have arisen during their holidays, and help maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Support Email Management: Oversee multiple email inboxes related to supplier communications, client feedback, and administrative tasks, ensuring prompt and efficient responses.
• Assist Sales & Operations Teams: Provide support to the sales and operations teams on a range of tasks, such as updating content for our database and answering the phone for supplier and client queries.
• Office Administration: Administrative tasks such as managing postage, ordering stock and office supplies.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• A genuine passion for travel, walking and the outdoors, coupled with good familiarity of the UK as a tourism destination
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with an ability to interact clearly and professionally by phone and email
• Excellent organisation skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential
• A strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and exceeding expectations
• A real people person who thrives on interacting with a variety of people and relishes working as part of an energetic and enthusiastic team
• A high level of motivation and outstanding work ethic with the ability to work on your own initiative within a small entrepreneurial business
• Excellent computer literacy with fluency in Google Workspace, including Google Sheets
• Although a degree is not essential, an excellent command of both written and spoken English and strong numerical skills are required

Hours

• Monday to Friday
• 09.00 – 17.00
• 35 hours per week with 1 hour for lunch

Start Date

Ideally, the start date for this role will be January 2026. However, we can be flexible by a few weeks for the right candidate.

Why Choose to Join Our Team?

• Competitive starting salary of £22,250pa
• Enrolment in the Company’s Pension Scheme
• 20 days annual holiday, increasing to 23 days after 3 years service and 25 days after 5 years service
• 8 public holidays
• An additional 5 days unpaid leave can be taken per annum after successful completion of probationary period
• Flexible working hours including a blend of office-based and remote work arrangements
• Monthly social nights including a company allowance towards entertainment
• Enrolment in Pirkx membership, offering a comprehensive selection of more than 40 well-being benefits aimed at enhancing health, prosperity, and overall happiness
• Fresh fruit deliveries
• Join company volunteering days such as tree planting in the Scottish Borders for the John Muir Trust
• Regular team meetings as well as learning and development opportunities
• Opportunity to progress your career within the company

How to Apply

Please send a copy of your CV and a cover letter explaining why you would be an asset to our team AND describing your favourite place in the UK or Ireland. The closing date for applications is the 10th October 2025:

Email: Andy Gabe – andy@absoluteescapes.com

OR

Post: Andy Gabe, Absolute Escapes, Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT