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.

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.

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