Principal Travel and Executive Support

Position Summary

Our client, a high-profile former Cabinet official and private family office, is seeking an exceptionally composed, highly adaptable Principal Travel & Executive Support specialist to serve as the primary operational partner during extensive domestic and international travel.

This role is responsible for complete end-to-end travel readiness, advance site logistics, real-time schedule execution, and seamless problem resolution. Working in close coordination with the Principal’s travel scheduler, protective security detail, and home office support team, this individual absorbs operational friction on the ground—anticipating obstacles, managing VIP protocols, and ensuring the Principal’s itinerary runs flawlessly under dynamic, high-pressure conditions.

Key Responsibilities

On-the-Ground Travel Execution & VIP Logistics

• Staff the Principal directly during all domestic and international trips, acting as the primary on-the-ground point of contact for real-time operational needs.
• Conduct thorough advance work and site readiness reviews, including advance hotel check-ins (ensuring keys and suites are ready prior to arrival), ground transportation staging, and venue walkthroughs.
• Serve as the main liaison with event hosts, organizers, protocol officers, and luxury hotel management to guarantee exceptional treatment and seamless movements.
• Coordinate closely with protective security personnel, venue security, and local advance teams to align movements with security protocols.

Schedule Management & Real-Time Problem Solving

• Manage real-time itinerary execution, keeping the Principal on schedule while navigating unexpected delays, travel changes, or media presence with poise.
• Exercise high situational awareness—identifying press/media in public settings, assessing room dynamics, and anticipating operational bottlenecks before they occur.
• Resolve logistical disruptions in real time (e.g., flight cancellations, transit delays, schedule shifts) calmly and decisively without escalating friction to the Principal.
• Prepare, organize, and maintain immediate readiness of all briefing materials, speech texts, documents, and travel credentials.

Executive Support & Team Collaboration

• Maintain continuous, real-time communication with the home office, scheduling team, and executive assistants to relay schedule updates and briefing changes.
• Manage travel-related administrative duties, including expense tracking, logistics documentation, and post-trip debriefs.
• Provide agile, on-the-ground support during high-volume travel periods, public speaking engagements, and international delegations.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all personal, security, and executive matters.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3 years of high-touch operational experience in political advance work, government/diplomatic protocol, high-end hospitality management, military operations, or executive body-person support.
• Citizenship Requirement: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Travel Flexibility & Licensing: Valid driver’s license with an impeccable driving record; willingness to travel extensively (domestic and international), often on short notice (e.g., 10 day travel stints followed by designated recovery periods).
• Discretion & Professionalism: Exceptional emotional intelligence, diplomatic tact, poise under pressure, and strict non-disclosure standards appropriate for a former high-ranking government official.
• Problem-Solving & Agility: Superior situational awareness, resourceful problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to adapt quickly to shifting schedules and high-tempo environments.
• Communication & Tech Literacy: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficiency with digital calendars, Apple devices, scheduling tools, and modern software.
• Work Ethic & Flexibility: Strong work ethic with a practical, hands-on attitude; views unexpected travel complications as routine operational puzzles to solve cleanly.

Compensation & Position Details

• Position Type: Full-Time (Extensive Travel / On-Site Coverage)
• Compensation: $120,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

Salary : $120,000