Travel planning operations

Antal International Network; Greater London; Remote; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel company seeks a highly organised Destination Planning Manager to join its Operations team. This full-time role, based remotely but requiring occasional UK travel, focuses on meticulous planning and operational execution. Key responsibilities include managing detailed travel costings, liaising with suppliers, and resolving issues during peak periods. Ideal candidates possess strong Excel and administrative skills, along with proven experience in travel operations and logistics. If you thrive in structured environments and excel in detailed planning, this role could be a perfect fit.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in travel operations, coordination, or logistics.
• Ability to manage high volumes of detailed data with speed and precision.
• Willingness to be on-call during key periods to support teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage detailed Excel-based travel costings and logistics documentation.
• Oversee the end-to-end planning of international expedition itineraries.
• Handle on-the-ground issue resolution during peak travel periods.

Skills

Administrative Skills

Excel Skills

Attention to Detail

Negotiation Skills

Problem Resolution

Tools

SharePoint

Trello

Job description

Location:Remote (occasional UK travel)
Contract:Full-time
Salary:£28,000 – £30,000 depending on experience

Are you incredibly detail-oriented, Excel-savvy, and able to juggle multiple complex tasks with precision and calm under pressure? A leading travel company is seeking a highly organisedDestination Planning Manager / Destination Services Coordinatorto join its Operations team.
This is not a creative, front-line travel design role — it’s abehind-the-scenes, administration-heavy positionthat requiresserious Excel skills, meticulous planning, and unwavering focus on operational delivery. You’ll play a vital part in ensuring the seamless execution of complex global itineraries, working primarily on costings, supplier liaison, logistics, and issue resolution.
This role involvesintensive admin and spreadsheet management, as well asbeing on-call during peak months (particularly July and August)to handle time-sensitive issues — from medical emergencies to supplier changes — often outside typical office hours. You'll be the calm, competent contact that keeps everything running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and manage detailed Excel-based travel costings, supplier records, and logistics documentation
• Oversee theend-to-end planning of international expedition itineraries, ensuring accuracy and alignment with safety and budgetary guidelines
• Negotiate with and manage third-party suppliers, ensuring clarity, compliance, and quality
• Handleon-the-ground issue resolution during peak travel periods(including on-call duties)
• Prepare and maintainaccurate, audit-ready documentation, including financial tracking, itinerary packs, and operational briefs
• Monitor international developments(weather, health risks, safety issues) and update plans and risk assessments accordingly
• Collaborate across internal teams to ensure flawless delivery of travel experiences

What We’re Looking For

• Strongadministrative and Excel skills
• Proven experience intravel operations, coordination, or logistics
• Demonstrated ability to managehigh volumes of detailed data and paperworkwith speed and precision
• Outstandingattention to detailand the ability to spot inconsistencies before they become problems
• Comfortablenegotiating with suppliersand resolving problems diplomatically but decisively
• Willingness to beon-call during key periodsto support teams and clients in real-time
• Someone who hastravelled independently, understands the realities of travel logistics, and can confidently assess what makes a good itinerary
• Familiarity with systems like SharePoint, Trello, or CRM platforms is a plus

This is a role for someone who thrives on structure, accuracy, and supporting incredible travel experiences from behind the scenes. If you're passionate about travel but your skills shine in planning, organisation, and admin — this might be the perfect fit.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for job boards or an even more formal tone.