At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects and drive business growth in the global travel industry.
- Company: Join Skift, a leading media and intelligence company in travel.
- Benefits: Remote work, collaborative culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and supportive team environment with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of travel while working with top industry leaders.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in consulting or corporate strategy with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
About Us
Skift is the leading business intelligence and media company in travel, delivering news, research, and global events that power smarter decisions across the industry. We convene senior leaders and innovators who rely on Skift for clarity, insight, and meaningful connection in a fast-moving global market.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a highly strategic, commercially driven Director of Strategy to join Skift Advisory, the consulting arm of the leading intelligence platform for the global travel industry. This is a senior, global role for a leader who is senior enough to own complex client relationships, yet hands-on enough to lead the work end-to-end. You will run our largest engagements, drive business development, and shape thought leadership on a global scale. This is a fully remote position with a preference for candidates based in the UK, Mexico, India, or the GCC, and requires the ability to work within the Middle East time zone.
Why This Role Matters
Skift Advisory isn't a traditional consultancy; we offer "Skift's knowledge, applied to your decision," combining 13 years of proprietary data with strategic rigor to advise CEOs, boards, investors, and tourism authorities. As a Director, you are a senior owner in a senior-led practice. You are accountable for transforming deep sector expertise into actionable strategies, scaling our practice, and serving as an expert voice at industry forums. Your work directly drives Skift Advisory’s commercial growth and shapes the future of aviation, hospitality, destinations, and travel tech.
Some of What You’ll Do
- Engagement Ownership & Delivery Excellence: Own large, complex engagements from problem framing through delivery as the single named lead accountable for scope, staffing, timeline, risk, and quality. Direct the analytical and conceptual approach, driving strategic outcomes and ensuring every deliverable meets Skift Advisory's standard for accuracy, insight, and storytelling. Serve as the senior point of contact for client leadership, nurturing long-term, strategic partnerships rather than one-off engagements.
- Business Development & Commercial Growth: Lead business development across target sectors, identifying opportunities, building relationships, and securing high-value engagements to actively grow the book. Own the development of large-scale proposals and strategic pitches from scoping to the win, bringing deep commercial discipline to our pipeline. Forecast capacity, surface risks early, and escalate issues with a clear recommendation.
- Thought Leadership & Industry Presence: Represent Skift Advisory as a thought leader, speaker, and panel moderator at major industry forums, including our own Skift Global Forum, turning on-stage visibility into relationships and pipeline. Draw on proprietary research to author reports, document methodologies, and ensure intellectual property compounds within the firm.
- Team Mentorship & Practice Building: Mentor and develop Senior Strategists and Associates, building a strong leadership pipeline and raising delivery quality across the team. Help build and scale the overall practice by strengthening methodologies, playbooks, and frameworks.
What You’ll Bring
- 10+ years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, or a destination marketing/management organization in a strategic planning role, including senior-level engagement ownership.
- Top-Tier Consulting Background: Experience at the Principal/Director level at a global strategy firm or a specialized travel/hospitality consultancy is strongly preferred.
- Deep Industry Expertise: Extensive, current knowledge of the global travel and tourism sector, its clients, and its dynamics.
- Executive Presence: Outstanding client and senior-stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead board- and C-suite-level discussions.
- Advanced Strategic Rigor: The ability to independently frame problems, build storylines, translate proprietary data into defensible recommendations, and create expert-level PowerPoint presentations.
- Education & Languages: A Bachelor's degree is required (MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred). Full fluency in English is required; Arabic and Spanish are strong assets.
- Global Agility: The ability to travel internationally and the flexibility to support calls across multiple regions.
Success Metrics
- Commercial Growth: Successful identification, pitching, and securing of high-value engagements that actively expand Skift Advisory's client book and revenue pipeline.
- Delivery & Client Impact: Flawless end-to-end execution of complex engagements, resulting in high client satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
- Thought Leadership & Visibility: Strong representation of the firm at industry events, effectively turning insights and on-stage presence into tangible commercial relationships.
- Practice Scalability: The successful mentorship of junior team members and the creation of reusable methodologies and frameworks.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to grow within a respected and innovative media company.
- Exposure to the intersection of media, events, and travel intelligence.
- Collaborative, supportive, and remote-friendly work environment.
How We Work
Skift's culture is diverse, cohesive, and full of people who love what they do and bring the best of themselves to work. We are remote but very connected and caring about each other.
How To Apply
If this role sounds like a fit, we’d love to hear from you. PLEASE SEND US A COVER LETTER ALONG WITH YOUR RESUME sharing why you’re interested and how your experience aligns with Skift's mission. Skift is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of travelers around the world.
Here’s what you can expect next: If selected to interview, a Skift team member will reach out to schedule next steps.
Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory employer: Skift
Skift is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of the travel industry within a collaborative and innovative remote environment. Employees benefit from exposure to high-level strategic engagements, mentorship opportunities, and a culture that values diversity and connection, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the global travel sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory at Skift!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Skift or be willing to refer you for that Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Skift who’s on the lookout for their next Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory role at Skift!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Strategy - Skift Advisory
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Skift. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skift
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Skift. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
