Senior Air & Destination Strategy Advisor

Senior Air & Destination Strategy Advisor Job Alerts Link Senior Air & Destination Strategy Advisor Job Description Brand: MCI Country/Region: Canada Work Location: Montreal Workplace Type: Remote Contract type: Permanent Job Function: Project Management Information at a Glance

We are an independent global marketing communications group with a human‑first approach. We connect strategy, creativity, technology and operations to help brands and organisations grow with purpose. Our global network supports more than 1,200 clients across 34 countries, backed by over 35 years of experience. Under the mci group umbrella, our agencies bring together world‑class talent in strategy, creative development, account leadership, technology, production and research to shape meaningful, lasting impact.

Position Overview

MCI Canada is seeking a senior, highly organized and consultative travel professional to provide dedicated air and destination strategy support for top accounts. The role will advise MCI teams and clients during destination selection, assess the viability of global air access, recommend budget-saving strategies and manage end-to-end flight planning and ticketing for program participants. The ideal candidate brings strong commercial judgement, deep knowledge of international air networks and fare structures, and the confidence to translate complex air data into clear client recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

Destination Strategy & Airlift Advisory

• Partner with the Event Design, Account and Operations teams to evaluate and recommend domestic and international destinations for incentive and group travel programs.
• Assess airlift viability from priority Canadian and international origin markets, including nonstop and one-stop access, flight frequency, seat capacity, seasonality, alliance coverage, connection quality and schedule resilience; monitor route developments that may change the recommendation.
• Evaluate the broader travel experience, including airport infrastructure, transfer times, arrival patterns, time‑zone impact, entry requirements and the operational implications of moving a group through the destination.
• Develop and present clear destination comparison analyses that identify the advantages, limitations, risks and cost implications of each option, explaining trade‑offs in straightforward, decision‑ready language.

Air Budgeting & Cost‑Saving Strategy

• Prepare realistic airfare estimates and scenario models during destination sourcing, proposal development and program planning, and track performance against the approved budget.
• Recommend cost‑saving strategies such as alternative travel dates, gateway consolidation, secondary airports, route or alliance changes, group allotments versus individual ticketing, advance‑purchase timing and appropriate fare or cabin mixes.
• Balance savings against traveller experience, schedule risk, fare flexibility and operational complexity rather than recommending price alone.
• Advise on air budget allocations, exception policies and guest‑paid differences for deviations, upgrades and companion travel; report clearly on markups, savings, overages, credits and refunds.

End-to‑End Air Booking & Traveller Support

• Serve as the primary senior air contact and respond to inquiries within the established 48‑hour service standard.
• Contact participants individually, research suitable routing options and provide clear, guest‑friendly recommendations aligned with program policy, budget and traveller preferences.
• Create and manage PNRs; reserve and issue flights, rail and related transportation; and prepare and distribute accurate e‑ticket and itinerary documentation.
• Manage deviations, extensions, upgrades, companion travel and special service requests, liaising with the Operations lead on any case requiring client approval or additional budget.
• Maintain current knowledge of airline policies, alliance networks, fare classes, fare rules, group blocks and allotments, ticketing deadlines and routing structures.

Travel Operations, Disruption Management & Onsite Support

• Monitor flights and manage schedule changes, missed connections, delays, cancellations and rebooking needs with urgency and sound judgement.
• Provide support during designated program travel periods and travel onsite when required, remaining calm, professional and solution‑oriented during disruptions and complex group movements.
• Prepare and maintain accurate flight manifests and communicate updates to MCI Operations, registration teams, destination management companies and ground transportation partners.
• Escalate material risks, budget impacts and traveller issues promptly, with clear options and a recommended course of action.

Reporting, Compliance & Account Coordination

• Prepare weekly air reports using specific templates, including ticket status, cost, markup, savings, budget adherence and guest‑owed differences.
• Maintain accurate booking statuses and travel data in Cvent and other account tools, and support final reconciliation and billing after each program.
• Verify and communicate passport, visa, entry and transit requirements using reliable, current sources and in accordance with applicable travel‑industry obligations.
• Attend weekly air calls and client meetings, providing concise updates, insights, risks and recommendations.
• Learn and consistently apply specific workflows, communication standards and approval processes, while contributing ideas that improve service, reduce cost and simplify account delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Current TICO certification, or a valid legacy TICO Travel Counsellor certification
• Minimum five years of recent, hands‑on experience in international corporate, group or incentive air travel, including independent ticket issuance and complex itinerary management.
• Advanced proficiency in at least one global distribution system, such as Sabre, Amadeus or Travelport/Apollo/Galileo, including issuing, exchanging, reissuing, voiding and refunding international tickets.
• Demonstrated ability to assess international destinations, analyze airlift and connectivity, build cost comparisons and make strategic recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of global airline networks, alliances, hubs, fare construction, fare rules, group allotments and IATA/BSP ticketing processes.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort preparing cost models, reconciliations, markups, savings reports and detailed manifests.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, paired with exceptional accuracy, organization and follow‑through in a high‑service, time‑sensitive environment.
• Availability for variable hours, program travel and coverage during designated travel periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional proficiency in both English and French.
• ACTA Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) or Certified Travel Manager (CTM) designation.
• IATA training in fares, ticketing, BSP procedures or related disciplines.
• Experience supporting incentive travel, executive travellers or high‑touch international group programs, including presenting recommendations directly to clients.
• Experience with Cvent, air‑manifest tools and traveller communication platforms.

What Success Looks Like

• Clients receive confident, well‑supported destination recommendations that balance air access, cost, traveller experience and operational risk, with concerns identified early enough to influence key decisions.
• Travellers receive well‑curated, practical and budget‑conscious itineraries supported by clear, professional communication.
• Ticketing, manifests, traveller records and cost reports are accurate and current, while savings, overages, credits and guest‑paid differences are clearly documented.
• Disruptions are handled quickly and calmly, with proactive communication and minimal impact on the participant experience.
• Internal teams and clients view the advisor as a dependable strategic partner—not simply a booking resource.

BENEFITS

• Salary starting at $75,000 CAD, with compensation based on experience and qualification.
• Health and dental benefits
• HSA & LSA
• Birthday day off
• Flexible remote work environment
• Friendly and collaborative work environment

Work arrangement: remote/hybrid with client meetings and program travel as required

Travel: Onsite support during designated program travel dates when/if needed

Language: English required; professional French is a strong asset

mci group is where you can bring your true self to work and be proud of what you do. Join us and make a difference!