Salters Steamers is a friendly, hardworking family company offering a wide range of services to the public, including:
- Boat trips
- Boat hire
Located on the River Thames and established since 1858, we pride ourselves on our extensive experience and professionalism.
We are seeking a hands‑on and highly organised Operations Manager to join our team, reporting directly to the Managing Director. This is a key role focused on ensuring the smooth day‑to‑day running of our business, particularly during the busy summer season.
The successful candidate will take ownership of operational planning and delivery, including:
- Daily business operations
- Staff coordination and supervision
- Booking and scheduling management
- Supporting business growth through efficient processes
This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in a well‑established tourism and hospitality business, with scope to shape and improve operational systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day‑to‑day operations of the business, ensuring efficiency across all services
- Manage schedules, and resource allocation (boats, staff, events)
- Coordinate and support seasonal and permanent staff, including recruitment and training
- Ensure smooth delivery of events such as weddings, private charters, and corporate bookings
- Act as a key point of contact for customer enquiries, ensuring excellent service standards
- Work closely with the Managing Director to improve operational processes and performance
- Maintain high standards of health & safety and compliance
- Troubleshoot operational issues and respond proactively to challenges
- Support business development by identifying opportunities to improve capacity and service delivery
Candidate Requirements
- Proven experience in an operations, office management, or similar role
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills in a fast‑paced environment
- Confident communication skills, both on the phone and in person
- Experience managing staff or willingness to take on leadership responsibilities
- A proactive, problem‑solving mindset
- Comfortable using standard office and booking systems
- Experience within tourism, hospitality, or events
- Familiarity with booking or CRM systems
- Experience coordinating events or managing schedules/logistics
- Ability to analyse processes and implement improvements
- Experience recruiting or managing seasonal teams
- Knowledge of health & safety procedures
- Understanding of pricing, planning, and operational strategy
Additional Job Details
- A professional and friendly telephone manner
- The ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure
You will be responsible for:
- Handling calls, emails, and booking enquiries
- Processing bookings and coordinating schedules
- Supporting the smooth day‑to‑day running of the business
A sense of humour and team spirit are essential!
Additional Information
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday
- Flexibility: Required, particularly during peak seasons – Assistance on busy weekend days to be discussed
- Location: Central Oxford (free on‑site parking available)
- Company pension
- Free on‑site parking
- Extended Christmas shutdown
- Heavily discounted boat hire
- Seasonal flexibility (earlier winter hours)
- Occasional work‑from‑home during off‑peak periods
- Opportunity to shape and develop operational processes
Who Are We Looking For?
- A proactive and hands‑on Operations Manager who thrives in a small business environment
- Someone willing to take ownership and go beyond their job description
- Strong organisational and leadership skills
- A practical problem‑solver with attention to detail
- Ideally with a background in hospitality, tourism, or customer‑facing operations
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