Associate Director - Strategy, Policy & Planning in London

The Associate plays a senior leadership role within Benoy's Travel Retail and Aviation team, leading complex projects globally in a team tasked with providing commercially impactful work for clients across aviation, rail and wider travel environments. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, Associates are trusted to exercise sound judgement in project delivery, client engagement and commercial decision-making. They are accountable for the successful delivery of projects, the development of strong client relationships, and the leadership and development of their teams. In addition to project delivery, Associates actively contribute to business growth, thought leadership, process improvement and the continued evolution of Benoy's Travel Retail and Aviation advisory offer. This role is suited to an experienced travel retail, aviation or transport consultant who combines strategic thinking, commercial awareness and strong analytical capability with a passion for shaping future passenger and customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Leadership and Delivery
  • Lead the delivery of medium and large-scale travel retail and aviation projects, ensuring work is aligned to client objectives and delivered to a consistently high standard.
  • Manage multiple projects concurrently, maintaining oversight of scope, programme, budget, risk and quality.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, with accountability for key milestones and commercial performance.
  • Establish project governance frameworks, delivery plans and reporting structures to ensure successful project outcomes, with risks and issues identified early.
  • Act as the primary client contact on assigned projects, leading meetings, workshops and presentations.
  • Allocate workstreams and responsibilities across project teams, ensuring resources are effectively utilised.
  • Provide senior review and quality assurance of project outputs, ensuring clarity of insight, narrative and recommendations.
  • Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies to support successful delivery.
• Strategic Advisory and Analytical Insight
  • Take overall responsibility for the quality, relevance and robustness of insight generated across projects.
  • Interpret and analyse large, complex datasets to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
  • Apply advanced analytical approaches, forecasting techniques and AI-enabled tools to enhance project outputs and decision-making.
  • Develop and oversee financial, commercial and operational models to support strategic recommendations.
  • Structure project outputs into compelling narratives that support client decision-making and investment priorities.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to clients, providing insight and recommendations that support commercial and operational objectives.
  • Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and generate repeat business.
  • Support business development activities, proposals and client pitches.
• Leadership and Team Development
  • Lead, motivate and develop high-performing project teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment.
  • Coach and mentor consultants and analysts, supporting their professional and career development.
  • Provide regular feedback, guidance and performance coaching.
  • Identify capability gaps and create development opportunities to strengthen team performance.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding and talent development activities.
• Commercial and Financial Responsibility
  • Maintain accountability for project financial performance, including forecasting, utilisation, profitability and invoicing.
  • Support resource planning and workload management across the team.
  • Contribute to the preparation and review of fee proposals, ensuring commercial viability and alignment with client requirements.
  • Monitor project performance against budget and take corrective action where required.
• Business Development and Market Leadership
  • Actively contribute to business development activities, including proposals, credentials, pitches and client presentations.
  • Build and maintain a strong network of industry contacts across aviation, rail, travel retail and related sectors.
  • Represent Benoy at industry events, conferences and networking activities.
  • Support the ongoing development and evolution of Benoy's Travel Retail and Aviation advisory offer.

About You

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience within travel retail – aviation or rail.
• Strong track record of leading complex consulting, strategy or advisory projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing project finances.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into clear strategic recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management and governance capabilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Experience with data visualisation and analytical tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
• Knowledge of Python, SQL or other analytical programming tools.
• Experience applying AI tools to analysis, forecasting or reporting.
• Understanding of travel retail commercial models, revenue forecasting, demand modelling and retail performance metrics.
• Existing network of industry contacts within aviation, rail or travel retail sectors.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Adaptable and comfortable operating in a dynamic, project-driven environment.
• Passionate about improving customer experience and commercial performance within travel environments.