Join Our Staff

Our London Operations Manager is responsible for controlling our fleet of 35 vehicles (mini-buses and MPVs), ensuring that we comply with Ministry of Transport regulations, and that we are always able to deliver our tours and transport services in the most efficient and economic manner.

The job involves, amongst other things, planning vehicle maintenance, and vehicle and driver operational scheduling. The Operations Manager is also responsible for the recruitment, training and daily management of our team of driver-guides. The post holder also assists in marketing the company’s products and services within the UK and overseas English-speaking markets.

As our operating environment is an exciting, fast moving, dynamic one, the role is demanding and the incumbent must be both a strategist and a quick-thinking tactician. You will be a graduate or similar, but suitable industry experience will count. You will be flexible and able to work in sometimes-stressful circumstances, be self-motivated, well-organised and prepared to lead from the front when managing your team. Computer competence and knowledge of diesel mechanics would also be advantageous, as would holding a Certificate of Professional Competence and PCV driving license. However, training in all relevant areas will be given to a candidate who displays the other managerial and organisational skills.

The post will not suit someone whom wants a predictable, desk-bound, nine-to-five existence. The position demands shift work, the acceptance of occasional long days, and weekend working in the peak-operating season. The transport industry is exempt from The Working Time Directive!

While the position does call for dedication it can be great fun as there is a true sense of camaraderie in our team. It also offers the rare opportunity of truly being in control of events.

The post holder can expect an initial salary package of Ł23K, rising to £25K, but this is negotiable depending on experience. You will have use of a company vehicle, and enjoy a range of other benefits including 20 working days holiday per year.

Given that the post can demand early morning starts, occasional late finishes and being on-call for emergencies, the post holder will normally be expected to live within easily commutable distance of our operating centre in Ealing, west London. Help with relocation expenses, and a London housing subsidy, will be considered for the right candidate. You will be eligible to be part of the company’s annual profit-share scheme at the end of your second year.

start between January 01 and April 2006

Product Manager (MARKETING) (Full-Time)

In addition to our scheduled range of tours, we organise customised (‘tailor-made’ or 'bespoke') tours of the UK and continent for the incoming English-speaking market. We require a product manager to work in this departmental area, with special responsibilities in designing, planning and marketing these special ’tailor-made’ tours.

It is an interesting and challenging role, involving direct liaison with the clients in the initial tour design, planning and selling stages. Other main tasks include researching routes and itineraries and finding suitable and relevant attractions and accommodations. Then sourcing, contracting and making bookings with the hotels and accommodations to be used, and finally briefing tour guides. You would get an idea of the role if you imagined what you’d do if asked to plan two-week holiday trip of Britain for 11 Australians, wanting to look specifically at sites and attractions connected with Australia’s early roots in Britain, or perhaps a group of Americans wanting a ‘hunting, shooting and fishing’ holiday in Ireland and Scotland, or a group of Motor Car enthusiasts wanting a week's tour themed around their hobby.

In addition to this function, the product manager will also be part responsible for sourcing product operated by other companies which can be offered to our Internet clients as a supplement to our own range of tours.

Applicants should be well-educated (to degree level), be well-organised with good office skills, be computer literate (basic web skills would be an advantage), be a good communicator, and be able to work as part of a small team. A second European language would be an advantage. The willingness to travel within the UK and continent is essential and you should have good geographical knowledge of either the UK or Europe.

The position is a full time one. The pay is negotiable from Ł17.500 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. The succesful holder of the position will be encouraged to take postgraduate marketing qualification (CIM) if not already doing so. You will be eligible to be part of the company’s annual profit-share scheme at the end of your second year. You have 20 days holiday per annum.

February 2006 start

Tours Executive / Tours (Full-Time)

We require an additional Tours Executive to work in our tour reservations and operations department on our scheduled tour programme.

The job involves sourcing, contracting and making bookings with the accommodations, ferries and sundry attractions to be used on our tours (see tours list on this site), assisting with tour research and design, briefing and de-briefing tour guides and working with the accounts department on tour administration.

The post holder also assists in dealing with incoming sales via overseas travel agents and our web site.

Applicants should be well-educated (to higher education level) and consider themselves future management material. You will be well-organised with good office skills, including filing and standard PC software (Word, Access and basic spreadsheets). You will be friendly, a good communicator, and be able to work as part of a small team. A second European language in addition to fluent English would be an advantage. The willingness to travel within the UK and continent is essential and you should have good geographical knowledge of either the UK or Europe.

The position is a full time one (40 hours per week, 09.30-18.00 Monday to Friday with some Saturday morning working in the peak operating season). The pay is negotiable from Ł16.500 per year, depending on experience and qualifications, with a second-year profit-share bonus. You have 20 days holiday per annum.

February/March 2006 Start

Part-Time Reservations Executive (USA Market)

Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd is an incoming tour operator organising tours of the UK and continent for the incoming English-speaking market. We require a Tours Executive to work in our tour reservations and operations department. The position (afternoons or evenings, 20 hours per week) involves liaison with our USA agents, processing reservations and making appropriate additional travel arrangements for our North American clients.

The post holder should be well educated (to college level), be a good communicator, have an understanding of, and be able to deal with North American clients. He or she should also be fully conversant with email and the internet. The person should also have extensive geographical knowledge of both the UK, continent and North America. Previous knowledge in the tourism industry, especially in dealing with travel agents, would be beneficial. You will be self-motivated, confident and able to work within a small team.

The pay is Ł8.50 per hour, with four weeks holiday per year.

April 2006 Start

Part-Time Accounts Assistant

We require a part-time Accounts Assistant to work in our accounts department.

The position, which will largely involve bought ledger data entry and will suit someone who is computer literate, accurate in their work and has basic accountancy knowledge.

The working day will be 14.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday. The pay is between Ł7 and Ł8.50 per hour depending on experience.

The position may suit either a part-qualified student, or retired person seeking part-time activity. Above all else, however, you will able to work independently, accurately and have existing accounts software knowledge.

position filled