Director of Royal Travel

This role is critical to ensuring that the Royal Household operates and purchases safe, efficient, cost effective and appropriate travel services for the official duties of Members of the Royal Family and their Households.

As Director of Royal Travel, you will have overall responsibility for organising air travel and overseeing the operations of The Queen’s Helicopter Flight and usage of scheduled train services and the Royal Train. You will also liaise with the relevant authorities to provide advice and recommendations on travel, taking into account security, safety and environmental considerations. 

Leading a small team in the Royal Travel office, and The Queen’s Helicopter Flight, based at RAF Odiham, you will provide logistic support to the Royal Household including support of Court moves, State Visits and the provision of the staff travel service in support of all Households and of the Royal Collection.

You will be required to ensure planning and procedures are highly effective, researching and negotiating value for money contracts and options for travel, while understanding and recommending best industry practice in risk and safety management.

• Experience of operations and financial management of travel and logistics in an environment where safety and high standards are of paramount importance. 

• Good understanding of Safety Management Systems, Aviation Safety Auditing and Quality Assurance. 

• Proven leadership and management skills.  

• Good communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. 

• Negotiating skills. 

• Ability to forge good partnerships with stakeholders while delivering results. 

• Ability to resolve conflicting demands and to withstand pressures whilst maintaining good working relations. 

• Planning skills to ensure that complex air movements are well prepared and delivered on time consistent with security needs. 

• Ability to analyse complex situations and provide soundly based advice.