Special Events and Travel Coordinator

About CATS Global Schools
CATS Global Schools (CGS) is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada, and China.

Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities. We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to contribute to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.

We are recruiting for a Special Events and Travel Co-ordinator to join our central team. This is a great opportunity to work in a fast paced environment, supporting our global sales teams. The role would suit somebody from a travel background with good knowledge of logistics and event management. You will need to be friendly and approachable while managing multiple stakeholders and conflicting deadlines.

Role overview
CGS run a range of special events throughout the course of the academic year both within our schools, at Head Office and within the markets where our Student Recruitment Team operate. This role will act as a first point of contact for pre-planning and the operational logistics both in advance and on the day, alongside supporting the marketing and Student. Recruitment Team with promoting the event. We host visits from a range of external and internal stakeholders to our schools, including parents, agents, VIPs, and Industry Partners. This role will take ownership for working with the schools in the planning and quality delivery of these visits. As a global organisation we have a range of travel requirements for students, Partners and staff. This role will be responsible for ensuring our travel service provider is meeting the specifications of our requirements and supporting the key functions of the business. You will also negotiate compliant, relevant, high quality and good value options for a range of
academic trip packages. You will support the schools in the enthusiastic marketing of these trip packages throughout the school year to ensure minimum numbers and financial margins are maintained.

**Responsibilities**:

- Organisation and successful delivery of familiarisation (Fam) trips. This will include:

- Formalising sample fam trip itinerary templates and checklists
- Establishing budgets and key stakeholders
- Co-ordinating delegate attendance and ensuring visa documentation is provided in an accurate and timely manner
- Working with schools to establish trip schedules to maximise opportunities
- Planning all travel schedules including transport, hotels, dining, and activities
- Liaising with the relevant Student Recruitment Team member and school
staff member to ensure smooth planning and communication to all relevant departments, and successful execution
- Attend Fam trips as required to support the hosting Student Recruitment Team member
- Actively seek feedback from Fam trips and relay to internal stakeholders to continuously improve the customer experience
- Prepare welcome packs for visiting agents and source appropriate gifts where required
- Manage extensive global travel arrangements, including complex itineraries, and scheduling over different time zones
- Arrange inbound client (agent) visits to CGS schools
- Arrange large-scale internal meetings, conferences and events
- Organise events including budgeting, resourcing, planning and delivery
- Coordinate attendance and resources required for industry and agent fairs Internationally
- Resource and contract with key travel partners in the design and marketing of a range of school trips throughout the academic year with the aim of maximising student engagement and ensuring they breakeven.
- Work with activity leads within the schools to ensure student sign-ups support the viability of the trip and are in-line with budget expectations

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**
- Front-facing customer service background essential
- Demonstrable experience in event planning
- Travel industry background or exposure preferable
- Exposure to international education organisations preferable
- Previous experience in a busy, fast-paced, and challenging environment
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- First-class communication and organisational skills with the ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels
- Flexibility to attend evening and weekend client events when required.
- Strong computer literacy
- Friendly and collaborative

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