Independent Advisory Group (IAG) Chair

We're seeking an experienced and inspirational leader to Chair our Independent Advisory Group (IAG) whose role is to provide independent advice to the Travalyst Board and Secretariat on the delivery of Travalyst’s strategy. As Chair, you'll provide independent strategic guidance, critical insights, and expert advice to shape Travalyst’s initiatives and impact. This role requires a commitment of approximately 1-2 days per month over an initial two-year term (with the possibility of renewal).

Your Impact

• Set the IAG’s agenda and priorities, in close collaboration with the Travalyst CEO and Board Chair.

• Chair a minimum of six virtual meetings per year, bringing all IAG Members together to share learning and provide strategic business updates; ensuring that divergent opinions are heard and respected, and that the group forms a collective view when needed.

• Ensure that the IAG’s advice is timely, relevant, and delivered appropriately to the Board and/or Secretariat.

• Attending Travalyst Board meetings to give updates on IAG activities, performance and learnings (likely 1-2 per year).

• Attending Travalyst’s Annual Convening (likely 2 days per year, usually in Europe).

• Regular strategy and operations meetings with the Secretariat and Travalyst COO.

• Regular status meetings and 1:1 check-ins with IAG Members.

• Regular status meetings with the Travalyst Secretariat.

• Ad hoc meetings, calls, reading/ document reviews, and email exchanges.

• Be accountable for the performance of the IAG.

• Champion Travalyst’s work externally.

About the IAG

Our IAG is comprised of a global group of some of the world’s leading travel and sustainability experts. The role of the IAG is to provide independent advice to the Travalyst Board and Secretariat on the delivery of Travalyst’s strategy. Its primary remit is the expert review of Travalyst’s product roadmaps, including impact evaluation. In addition, the IAG’s proactive advice is invited on any topic, including Travalyst’s strategy and theory of change.

The IAG currently has six members, appointed as a core group of experts with a systemic view of travel and tourism. We expect this group to grow to 8-10 members during 2025/6, to fill specific gaps in expertise. IAG Members are appointed by the Secretariat, in consultation with the IAG Chair.

Where needed, the IAG may form a task group (including external subject matter experts) with a clear, time-bound remit. External subject matter experts are appointed by the Secretariat, in consultation with the IAG Chair.

The IAG sets its agenda and priorities through close collaboration between the IAG Chair, Travalyst CEO, and Travalyst Board Chair. It is accountable to its Terms of Reference, which are approved by the Board.

Who you are

You are a visionary leader passionate about sustainability and global travel transformation.

You bring:

• Exceptional people and leadership skills, with a talent for managing nuanced discussion, driving consensus, and building trust.

• Strategic business acumen and proven experience guiding high-impact advisory groups.

• Strong understanding of the travel and tourism space is preferable, to inform robust decisions on complex and nuanced topics.

• A neutral stance with no current ties or conflicts with our coalition partners.

• Strong credibility and network within sustainability, travel, or related sectors.

• Commitment to fostering collaborative, inclusive discussions and outcomes.

• An affinity for the vision and mission of Travalyst, and an appetite to navigate the tensions inherent in driving system change and bringing stakeholders on the journey.

• Proficiency in English language and able to chair in English.

• Ability to attend meetings during EU-compatible business hours.

Ideally, you have one or more of the following:

• Strong chairing experience, particularly of groups with divergent and nuanced opinions.

• Existing profile and credibility with sustainability stakeholders, in line with the ambition and future scale of Travalyst.

• Good knowledge of, and networks across the global travel and tourism industry, or sustainability data technology, or similar industry.

• Good knowledge of research methods, and the ability to discern robust arguments made from research.

Support available to you as IAG Chair

Operational support from the Secretariat will include:

• Ensuring the smooth operational running of the IAG to deliver its agenda, priorities and roadmap.

• Preparing, supporting and debriefing IAG meetings, and managing records of key advice and decisions.

• Leading recruitment and onboarding of new IAG Members and/or subject matter experts.

• Monitoring IAG governance processes and performance, and making recommendations for improving processes.

Honorarium

The IAG Chair will be offered an annual honorarium, in recognition of the critical role played by the IAG and the time commitment required for full participation and leadership.

Additionally, pre-approved reasonable out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed, where required.

Equalities

Travalyst promotes a diverse and inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from everyone with suitable skills and experience, and we will make reasonable adjustments where necessary to enable people with particular needs or requirements to work with us. Please add any recruitment adjustment requests to your application, as well as notifying our team of your pronouns. We also welcome applications from people who come from communities that are directly affected by the impacts of travel and tourism. We want everyone who works with us to feel respected, valued and able to contribute at the highest level.

Join Us

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while providing strategic leadership and critical insights. If you have the expertise, passion, and 1-2 days per month to dedicate, we invite you to seize this opportunity to shape the future of travel sustainability. Help us make travel a lasting force for good.