Travel Designer & Expedition Leader
We are looking for a full-time Travel Designer/Expedition Leader to join our team. This is a dual role that combines the planning, organization, and execution of our travel experiences. This role requires a high level of operational expertise, customer service, and an understanding of the luxury travel market.
Responsibilities
Trip Designer:
- Design, plan, and implement once in a lifetime, ultra-luxury travel experiences.
- Full responsibility for all logistics: itineraries, contingencies, safety procedures, permits, sourcing and ownership of all aspects of logistics and costing of trips.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including local officials, private institutions, and notable personalities, to create exclusive travel experiences.
- Establish and manage relationships with destination management companies (DMCs).
- Provide superior customer service & relationship management throughout each trip.
- Supervise all travel logistics (e.g., aviation, accommodation, dining, event planning).
- Liaise with aircraft operators to request proposals, negotiate contracts, streamline operations, confirm flight schedules, and ensure effective ground handling.
- Handle all aspects of hotel bookings (e.g., reservations, invoicing, upgrades, etc.)
- Ensure compliance with all health & safety protocols by working with relevant resources.
- Assist in the creation and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Manage trip budget, ensuring quality experiences while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
- Oversee the procurement and organization of member amenities.
- Site visit where required for each trip.
Expedition Leader:
- Execute the trip’s itinerary and programming in line with the pre-planned run-of-show.
- Guarantee overall member experience quality and address any concerns promptly.
- Lead and manage the expedition team.
- Coordinate with DMCs as needed.
- Collaborate with trip physicians to handle any emergencies or evacuations, prioritizing member safety and well-being.
- Manage trip budget, ensuring adherence while managing quality expectations.
- Travel extensively (up to 2-3 weeks at a time) and lead groups on expeditions.
Qualifications
Key Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in operations, hospitality, tourism, or related field.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in the luxury travel industry, particularly in planning and leading expeditions.
- Proven problem-solving skills, an ability to work under pressure, and adaptability to unexpected situations.
- An excellent understanding of the luxury travel market and the ability to meet its specific customer service and detailed demands.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
- A high level of discretion and the ability to handle sensitive information.
- Ability to flex to work schedule in an international environment.
Desirable Capabilities:
- Ability to recruit and manage expedition team members.
- Proficiency in multiple languages.
- Familiarity with international customs and protocols.
- Established relationships with vendors & service providers in the luxury travel industry “contact black book”.
- Proven ability to negotiate contracts and manage budgets.
- Crisis management and emergency response training.
- Certification in First Aid/CPR or related medical training.
Additional Information
Compensation:
- Competitive salary and benefits package in the highest percentile of the industry.
- Merit-based bonus structure.
- Equity opportunity available.
- Highly flexible work environment.
- Ability to work globally.
- Access to our contacts and travel benefits.
- Opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime experiences globally alongside our members.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a resume via pdf and apply via the link provided.
Equal Opportunities Employer:
At Bucketlist Xperiences, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our suppliers, and our global community. Bucketlist Xperiences is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.