Associate Director, Strategy

Job Description

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.

• 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 work streams 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.

• Take overall responsibility for the quality, relevance and robustness of insight generated across projects.
• Lead problem‑solving activities by framing key issues, developing hypotheses and shaping evidence‑based recommendations.
• 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.
• Challenge assumptions and ensure insights are translated into clear, actionable and commercially relevant recommendations – with real life examples where practical.
• Structure project outputs into compelling narratives that support client decision‑making and investment priorities.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Act as a strategic advisor to clients, providing insight and recommendations that support commercial and operational objectives.
• Lead client presentations and workshops, communicating complex information with confidence and clarity.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and generate repeat business.
• Support business development activities, proposals and client pitches.
• Support collaboration across different disciplines within Benoy and understand the problems each has a solution for.

• 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.
• Role model Benoy’s values and behaviours in all interactions.

• Maintain accountability for…