Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer

Innovation Advance Group; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovation Advance Group is seeking a Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer with deep MICE expertise to craft luxury group journeys across Southern and East Africa.

You will shape incentive travel that motivates teams, collaborate with trade partners, and oversee end‑to‑end logistics from brief to on‑the‑ground execution.

Requirements: 6–10 years in senior Groups/Incentives/MICE travel design, strong English, and proficiency with Tourplan and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Matric with Mathematics (Standard Grade or higher).
• Tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, or related field (advantageous).
• 6–10 years’ experience in senior Groups, Incentives, or MICE travel design/reservations.
• Proven experience managing complex group logistics and high-value clients.
• Strong working knowledge of Tourplan and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Design bespoke group, incentive, and MICE itineraries tailored to client goals, budgets, and guest profiles.
• Transform briefs into imaginative, high-impact programs that highlight Africa’s iconic regions, experiences, and conservation stories.
• Identify value-adds and upsell opportunities that enhance the guest experience while protecting commercial integrity.
• Deliver exceptional service to trade partners, incentive houses, and internal stakeholders — with clarity, warmth, and professionalism.
• Manage complex logistics including rooming lists, movements, activities, special requirements, and on-the-ground coordination.
• Collaborate closely with Operations to ensure flawless execution from confirmation through travel.
• Maintain meticulous booking files and uphold the highest standards of accuracy.
• Quote confidently and timeously, ensuring commercial viability and margin protection.
• Monitor performance metrics and contribute to departmental targets.
• Stay deeply informed about destinations, seasonal highlights, wildlife movements, and emerging experiences across Southern and East Africa.
• Use industry systems such as WETU, Smartbox, Tourplan, and Microsoft Office to streamline workflows and elevate service delivery.

Skills

MICE expertise

Logistics management

Client service

Attention to detail

Education

Matric with Mathematics

Travel & Tourism/Hospitality qualification

Tools

Tourplan

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer

We’re looking for a Senior Groups & Incentives Travel Designer with deep MICE expertise, exceptional logistical instincts, and a passion for creating unforgettable group experiences across Southern and East Africa. This is your chance to shape incentive travel that motivates teams, celebrates achievement, and leaves a lasting impact on guests and the places they visit.

What This Role Is Really About

You’ll craft high-end group journeys that blend luxury, purpose, and seamless execution. From incentive programs to specialist groups, you’ll design experiences that elevate brands, strengthen relationships, and showcase Africa’s wild spaces in meaningful ways.

You’ll collaborate with trade partners, DMCs, and internal teams to deliver programs that run flawlessly — from the first brief to the final transfer. And you’ll do it within a company that values creativity, initiative, and genuine care for people.

What You’ll Do

• Design bespoke group, incentive, and MICE itineraries tailored to client goals, budgets, and guest profiles.
• Transform briefs into imaginative, high-impact programs that highlight Africa’s most iconic regions, experiences, and conservation stories.
• Identify value-adds and upsell opportunities that enhance the guest experience while protecting commercial integrity.
• Deliver exceptional service to trade partners, incentive houses, and internal stakeholders — with clarity, warmth, and professionalism.
• Manage complex logistics including rooming lists, movements, activities, special requirements, and on-the-ground coordination.
• Collaborate closely with Operations to ensure flawless execution from confirmation through travel.
• Maintain meticulous booking files and uphold the highest standards of accuracy.
• Quote confidently and timeously, ensuring commercial viability and margin protection.
• Monitor performance metrics and contribute to departmental targets.
• Stay deeply informed about destinations, seasonal highlights, wildlife movements, and emerging experiences across Southern and East Africa.
• Use industry systems such as WETU, Smartbox, Tourplan, and Microsoft Office to streamline workflows and elevate service delivery.

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are

• Experienced: 6–10 years in senior groups, incentives, or MICE travel design/reservations.
• A master of detail, organisation, and multi-file management.
• A confident communicator with strong English skills (European languages a bonus).
• Calm under pressure and able to juggle multiple complex itineraries with precision.
• Passionate about wildlife, conservation, and meaningful travel.
• Consultative, creative, and solutions-driven — with a talent for personalisation and upselling in a luxury context.
• Someone who values a workplace with heart, purpose, and high standards.

Why This Role Attracts Top Talent

• You get to design experiences that genuinely change people — incentive journeys that motivate, reward, and inspire.
• You work with destinations that are globally iconic, from remote wilderness areas to world-class lodges and conservation-led experiences.
• You join a team that values kindness, collaboration, and professional excellence.
• You grow your expertise through ongoing training, product immersion, and familiarisation trips.
• You contribute to meaningful travel that supports communities, protects wildlife, and celebrates Africa’s natural heritage.
• You’re trusted to bring creativity, initiative, and leadership to a high-performance environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• Matric with Mathematics (Standard Grade or higher).
• Tertiary qualification in Travel & Tourism, Hospitality, or related field (advantageous).
• 6–10 years’ experience in senior Groups, Incentives, or MICE travel design/reservations.
• Proven experience managing complex group logistics and high-value clients.
• Strong working knowledge of Tourplan and Microsoft Office.

Personal Attributes

• Creative, proactive, and solutions-oriented.
• Service-driven with a strong client-centric mindset.
• Passionate about wildlife, conservation, and sustainable tourism.