Topflight Country Manager (France)

Brides-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France | Contract

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Topflight Travel Group is seeking an outgoing, friendly and enthusiastic Country Manager with a passion for the slopes, who is not afraid of hard work and commitment. Successful candidate will manage a respected Team of Representatives in ski resorts across France and will benefit from a fantastic work environment with high levels of autonomy and ongoing development.

Responsibilities

  • Complete set up of resort, sourcing accommodation, cars and training venues.
  • Organising, assisting and participating in pre-season and in-resort Reps' training course.
  • Arrange and set guidelines for airport procedures.
  • Overseeing and organising the complete logistics of airport transfers for all resorts. Ensuring budgets are adhered to and constantly looking at new improvements to the overall process and budget.
  • Organising procedure for liquidation and accounts in ski rental shops ensuring all suppliers are paid in a timely manner.
  • Coordinate a suitable après ski programme in all resort areas/assisting in setting up appropriate sales targets for this programme.
  • Ensuring the accurate and concise liquidation of Reps' in-resort sales on a timely basis.
  • Ensuring all targets set are achieved to best of ability and that team are motivated to do the same.
  • Reporting to head office in a timely manner.
  • Driving the entire team towards achieving an impeccable level of customer service ensuring all issues and complaints are handled efficiently, effectively, and to root cause.
  • Dealing with and advising team on all emergency queries and situations that may arise.
  • Conducting end of season reports and entire resort close down and ensuring all team do similarly.
  • Building strong relations whilst representing the company in meetings/activities with suppliers, partners and the media.

About you:

  • Energetic and flexible with a hands on approach.
  • Experience in the ski industry (at least 2 years in a managerial position).
  • Process driven, with relentless drive to improve.
  • Independent with the ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
  • Passionate skiers and snowboarders.
  • Confident and customer focused with a passion to continuously improve service & practices.
  • Sales oriented with ability to work towards targets.
  • Highly organised with strong IT skills.
  • Over 23 years old (for vehicle insurance purposes).

Experience:

  • Ability to speak French
  • 2 years experience in a Managerial role, preferably in the ski industry
  • Full clean driving license.

What we offer: 

  • Industry leading wages & bonus scheme
  • Lift pass & ski equipment
  • Flights & transfers to resort
  • Accommodation
  • Winter sports insurance

All applicants must have an EU passport and a permanent UK National Insurance Number or Irish PPS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why us?

We pride ourselves on providing a personal touch to all of our overseas staff. We conduct individual 1 on 1 interview so you can get to know us as much as we get to know you. We consider each of our applicants personally before placing them to a resort that suits their personality, interests and ability. We invest a lot of time into practical and relevant training where everyone gets involved participating and running the training sessions. Your feedback is of the utmost importance to us, you are our eyes and ears on the ground and we relentlessly aim to improve our practices in line with your views. Throughout the season we are in constant contact with all of our resort teams so even when the going gets really tough you will always have a support system in place. In fact, the majority of our overseas staff return year on year, a true testimony of our work ethic and practices.

We aren’t the same as other Tour Operators, there isn’t layers and layers of management for a start. We fully trust and support you to do the job. We give our staff full charge for running our resorts so you really do have full responsibility and autonomy to make things happen.  

Why you?

Our success over the years is attributed in no uncertain terms to our overseas staff and their dedication in delivering the highest level of customer care to our guests and in maintaining our impeccable reputation as a dynamic and innovative ski company. If you think you fit the bill, we would love to hear from you!  All applicants must have an EU passport and a permanent UK National Insurance or Irish PPS number.

I have completed the application process, what happens next?

Once an application is submitted, we carefully review to ensure that all of our requirements are met and more importantly that a candidate is right for the job. Suitable candidates will be invited to attend one of our interview days. If successful, you’ll be sent a contract with full details and terms of employment which you’ll be asked to return within 7 days along with a €100/£100 commitment bond which will be returned in full at the end of the season.

How long is the winter season?

Our season begins at the end of December and goes right through until mid April. You’ll need to be available to work for us throughout the full season, bearing in mind that you’ll usually arrive in resort for training and resort set up at the beginning of December.

Will I be trained to do the job?

Of course! All of our Country Managers will be given full training on all aspects of the job prior to the season commencing. Our training course will be held in Dublin during November so rest assured you’ll be fully prepared for whatever the season has in store for you. Be prepared for putting in some serious hard work during training and at the beginning of the season, but once it’s all up and running like clockwork you’ll reap the benefits.

Are my travel costs to and from resort included?

Yes, we’ll cover all your travel costs to and from Dublin and to and from France.

Am I insured?

We provide travel insurance for all our overseas staff which includes winter sports cover. We also recommend that you apply for a European Health Insurance Card before you travel!

What is the accommodation like?

We provide accommodation for all staff working in resort. Typically it will be a self-catering studio apartment which you may share with one of your team colleagues, so be prepared to bunk in! It won’t be the Ritz, but we are quietly confident that we’ve secured some of the best seasonal accommodation around.

Will I be given a uniform?

An extremely stylish uniform will be issued to all our overseas staff which you can wear with pride all through the season!

What sort of hours will I be working?

If a 9-5 job is what you’re after then this is not the job for you, be under no illusions it is hard work! You will be required at times to work some very long hours especially on an arrival day. Bags of enthusiasm, patience and resilience will be needed but your efforts will be rewarded when you’re enjoying some of the world’s best skiing.

How much time will I get to spend on the mountain?

Your main priority is to ensure that your customers are happy and content but providing you are highly organised, you can have plenty of time on the slopes.

How many other reps will I work alongside?

We have a strong and capable team of over 30 overseas staff scattered around our resorts in Europe, however you’ll find that most of our resorts will be manned by a sole representative with the full support and back-up of head office.