Base Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Base Manager
Location: Carrick on Shannon
Department: Operations
Start Date: November 2026
Contract type: 1 year fix term to become permanent
Line Manager: Regional Manager

At a glance

This is a fantastic opportunity to take the helm of one of our Le Boat bases. You will play a key role in supporting our growth and improvement plans with responsibility for managing our people, fleet, facilities, vehicles, offices, equipment and assets. You will also be working to improve service and fleet quality for our customers whilst developing external relationships with our suppliers and 3rd parties locally.

We are seeking a strong, enthusiastic, flexible and experienced Manager with a track record of improving results and the ability to lead and implement change. Your management skills and ability will be well suited to working independently and on your own initiative.

What you will be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the operational and commercial performance of the base, ensuring company standards, policies and budgets are met.

• Ensure Health & Safety, regulatory compliance and safe boating operations are maintained at all times.

• Lead, motivate and develop the team, including recruitment, training, staffing and performance management.

• Plan and organise resources effectively to deliver efficient base operations while controlling costs.

• Oversee the fleet, ensuring boats are well maintained, presented to a high standard and ready for customers.

• Manage base, office and reception operations, ensuring systems, administration and local procedures are effective.

• Take a hands-on approach to both operational and practical duties, including fleet and base maintenance where required.

• Deliver excellent customer service, ensuring enquiries, complaints, breakdowns and customer support are handled professionally and promptly.

• Ensure boat briefings and customer training are delivered to a high standard, helping customers feel confident and prepared for their cruise.

• Manage suppliers, purchasing, stock, invoices, cash, payroll, licensing and other financial/administrative requirements in line with company procedures.

• Monitor and drive performance against customer satisfaction, sales and operational targets, providing regular updates to the Regional Manager and other departments.

• Ensure the security and upkeep of all base buildings, equipment, boats and company assets, and carry out any other duties reasonably required by the business.

Company Objectives

• Improve the customer experience
• Ensure customers complete satisfaction questionnaires at the end of each charter and that scores are in line with targets
• Pro-actively work to avoid complaints and compensation, resolving all issues raised locally
• Deliver revenue targets
• Ensure all technical problems are avoided where possible and when they do occur that they are resolved immediately to ensure the boats are available to charter throughout the season
• Maximise all opportunities with your customers in terms of up-sell of ancillary services, hire equipment and merchandise
• Manage costs within allocated budgets

What we are looking for:

Skills, experience, knowledge, qualifications and training

• Ambitious, enthusiastic, strong General Management skills and experience
• Technical/Maintenance skills and fleet management experience is required for the role ideally with boats or cars.
• A great organiser and leader of people
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build internal/external relationships and teams who can deliver exceptional service to customers
• Commercial mind-set with a track record of delivering results
• Excellent PC skills (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Able to work with deadlines, targets and objectives
• Able to work independently and on own initiative
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required by the business
• Previous management experience in the tourism industry
• Driving license
• Living locally (commutable distance form the base)
• Business fluency of English

Advantage:

• Great enthusiasm for holidays and the Le Boat product (boating experience or boating license for inland waterways would be advantageous)

What we can offer:

• Competitive salary based on experience. Annual salary review and increase. 
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities. Career progression.
• Annual bonus based on Company’s target and individual performance.
• Access to Travelopia group benefits (holiday discounts)
• Exciting work environment with the No.1 provider of houseboat vacations in Europe and Canada.
• Le boat uniform

Le Boat, part of the Travelopia group, is the world’s leading provider of self-drive boating holidays, with over 55 years of experience. We offer an unforgettable holiday experience across Europe and Canada's inland waterways. Our fleet, crafted to suit all party sizes and budgets, requires no license or prior boating experience, making it accessible to everyone. With guests from around the globe, including North America, Germany, and France, Le Boat operates in 9 countries with France's Canal du Midi as the most famous and popular cruising ground.

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