Expedition Planning Manager

Expedition Planning Manager - 2 posts
(Specialists required for the Africa and the Middle East team)

Are you an expert when it comes to Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda or Morocco & the Middle East and have world class project management skills?

At a glance…
As part of the Specialist and Activity sector within the TUI Group, World Challenge provides educational expeditions for school groups. We offer the opportunity for over 400 groups to enter into a programme of learning and development; fundraising; and team building, culminating in a 1-6 week Expedition to one of our exciting destinations in the developing world.

Driving the operations of our business is our planning department, responsible for delivering high quality, risk assessed expedition itineraries to over 50 destinations worldwide. Our planning department are going through an exciting transformation, which will see them working as Continent teams with in-depth specialist knowledge of and commercial responsibility for the destinations in their portfolio.

Due to this exciting change, we are now looking to recruit two specialists to join our team, one with expertise in North Africa and the Middle East and another with specialist knowledge and experience of Sub-Saharan Africa.

What you’ll be doing…
Working from our offices in High Wycombe and using your specialist knowledge, you’ll plan each expedition to your portfolio of destinations, within budget and to strict safety standards. Your aim will be to ensure our young challengers experience an awe-inspiring range of community project work, trekking and cultural adventure.

As an accomplished communicator, you will liaise with in-country agents and build and maintain a supplier network, negotiating costs and ensuring standards are met. As the destination specialist for your portfolio, you will provide briefings to colleagues and must be able to provide succinct briefings to all stakeholders.

What we’re looking for…
As a destination specialist within the African team, you will have extensive travel experience or knowledge of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in particular. To join the Europe & Middle East team as a destination specialist, extensive knowledge of and travel in Morocco is essential and experience of the Middle East, including Turkey, Syria Jordan or Oman would be a bonus.

You’ll be motivated by your commitment to quality, and be able to demonstrate effective project management and proactive problem solving skills. Ideally you will have trekking or expedition experience.

Language skills relevant to the destinations would also be an advantage although not essential. French or Arabic language skills would be a distinct advantage for the Europe & Middle East team

Comfortable presenting to large groups and able to manage a budget, you’ll be positive, flexible and possess a meticulous eye for detail. An excellent communicator, you’ll share our passion for outdoor education and adventure travel.

What we’re offering…
Stimulating and dynamic working environment, with an interactive break out zone.
Comprehensive induction, mentoring, training and personal development.
Competitive remuneration, travel and holiday discounts, company pension, large outdoor kit discounts, generous holiday entitlement and lively company events.
Potential to participate on an overseas expedition; plus overseas travel if required.