Senior sales and product manager Alex Taylor said the Cheshire-based business, which also has a tour operating division, is targeting self-starters who can generate their own leads with a minimum of two years’ travel industry experience.

Black Opal hopes to recruit at least four personal travel designers but is open to hiring more staff to support the growing sales team. Taylor told TTG: “We’ve recruited previously but this is more about growing the team at pace to expand the leisure side of the business. 

“We’re recruiting for four positions. If we get 20 interested people – we’ll recruit as many people as possible. We really want experience in the team.” 

Taylor explained staff can work remotely but successful applicants can also choose to work in the group’s Hale office should they prefer to. “If they’re based locally and they want to come into the office, they can. But equally, they can be based nationwide,” Taylor continued.

"We’re looking for self-starters who are able to work independently and are happy to work on their own, and are able to build their own business from that."

All personal travel designers report into Black Opal managing director Jamie Smith. “We pretty much sell everything," said Taylor. "We’ve got our own Atol so we can package up everything ourselves."

Black Opal is currently licensed for 551 Atol authorisations for the 12 months to the end of September 2024. "We also work with tour operator partners such as Lusso, Jet2holidays, Olympic Holidays and Prestige Travel, so we’ve got the best of both worlds.

"I would hope having an Atol is attractive to applicants. I come from a tour operator background so I’m used to putting everything together myself. There’s quite a good mix within the team.” 

Since launching in 2019, Black Opal has sold luxury holidays alongside specialist sports tours. In 2021, the business opened a travel lounge in Hale, and expanded its small team to include personal travel designers focused on leisure bookings.

Smith added: “With the success we’ve enjoyed in recent years, I’m excited to welcome new members to the team, while always honouring our commitment to remaining an independent, boutique travel offering."