As organisations move more people between cities and countries, HR leaders face a practical question: who should look after relocation? Some build an in-house team with a relocation specialist or relocation manager. Others partner with a relocation management company (RMC). Many use a combination of both.

For a deeper look at the strategic case for partnering with a relocation management company, see our guide on why companies should partner with a relocation management company.

This guide explains each role, how costs compare and how to decide when outsourcing makes sense for your mobility programme.

What is a relocation specialist?

A relocation specialist is a professional who supports individual employee moves from start to finish. The role focuses on the relocating employee, making sure each step of the move is planned, communicated and completed on time.

Core responsibilities of a relocation specialist

Core responsibilities usually include:

• Briefing relocating employees on their policy and benefits
• Coordinating household goods providers, temporary housing and destination services providers
• Tracking documents, deadlines and approvals
• Answering employee and family questions throughout the move
• Processing relocation expenses in line with policy

Corporate vs international relocation specialists

A corporate relocation specialist typically supports domestic moves within one country, while an international relocation specialist supports cross-border moves. International moves add steps such as visa applications with immigration lawyers, home and host country tax considerations with tax advisers and cultural preparation. 

For a comprehensive overview of how visa and work permit requirements apply across corporate mobility programmes, see our HR guide to visa and work permit requirements for corporate employees.

What a relocation consultant does

A relocation consultant is an adviser who helps an organisation review, design or improve its relocation approach. Consultants usually work on a project basis, for example benchmarking a policy or reviewing supplier arrangements.

What is a relocation manager?

A relocation manager is the person responsible for an organisation’s relocation programme as a whole. Where a specialist focuses on individual moves, the manager focuses on policy, budget, suppliers and reporting across all moves.

Responsibilities across policy, budget and suppliers

A relocation manager typically:

• Owns and updates the relocation policy
• Sets and monitors the relocation budget
• Selects and reviews suppliers
• Reports on move volume, cost and employee experience to HR and finance leaders
• Aligns relocation with wider talent and workforce plans

What is a relocation management company?

A relocation management company is an external partner that helps employers plan, coordinate and oversee employee relocations. An RMC brings policy guidance, supplier coordination, employee support and reporting together in one service.

For a detailed comparison of managing relocations in-house versus hiring an RMC, see our guide on employee relocations: managing in-house vs hiring a relocation management company.

Relocation specialist vs relocation manager vs RMC compared

The table below compares the three options across the areas HR leaders usually weigh up.

Area	Relocation specialist	Relocation manager	Relocation management company
Focus	Individual moves	Whole programme	Programme and individual moves
Typical cost model	Salary and benefits	Salary and benefits	Service fees per move or programme
Supplier network	Built by the organisation	Built by the organisation	Established network of partners
Reporting	Move-level tracking	Programme-level reporting	Platform-based data and analytics
Scales with volume	Requires additional hires	Requires additional team members	Flexes with move volume

Cost considerations

Cost considerations depend on how many moves an organisation supports and how complex those moves are. For a full breakdown of what relocation cost estimates should cover and why accurate budgeting matters, see our guide on the importance of cost estimates in talent mobility and relocation.

In-house salary and overhead

In-house cost includes salaries, benefits, training, systems and the time needed to build and manage a supplier network. This model can work well when move volume is steady and predictable.

RMC fee structures

RMC fees are usually charged per move, per service or as a programme fee. Because the RMC already has suppliers, processes and technology in place, organisations avoid building these from scratch.

When to keep relocation in-house

Keeping relocation in-house can suit organisations with a small, steady number of domestic moves and an experienced HR team that has time to support each employee personally.

When to outsource to an RMC

Outsourcing to an RMC is often the right step when move volume grows, moves become cross-border, or leadership asks for clearer data on relocation spend and outcomes. It also helps when in-house teams need to focus on strategic talent priorities.

For a full guide to evaluating and choosing the right corporate relocation partner, see our guide on how to choose the right corporate relocation partner for your business.

Hybrid models: in-house team supported by an RMC platform

A hybrid model is an approach where an internal relocation manager or specialist works alongside an RMC and its technology. The internal team keeps ownership of policy and decisions, while the RMC offers coordination, supplier access and reporting.

With the MOVEPLUS™ platform, in-house teams gain a centralised view of every move, including key dates, documents, approvals and expenses, while keeping control of their programme.

How MovePlus supports mobility teams

MovePlus serves as a strategic partner, helping organisations transform mobility from a series of logistical tasks into a structured, visible and employee-focused talent strategy. Whether an organisation needs full-service support or a self-service option for its internal team, MovePlus offers the flexibility to match its approach. Whether an organisation needs full-service support or a self-service option for its internal team, MovePlus offers the flexibility to match its approach through our comprehensive mobility management platform.

For organisations reviewing how their mobility programme is structured and whether an in-house, outsourced or hybrid model is right for them, our consultancy services team works with HR and mobility leads to design clear, scalable frameworks. Get in touch to discuss how MovePlus can support your programme.

Frequently asked questions

1. What does a relocation consultant do?

A relocation consultant advises an organisation on its relocation approach, often by benchmarking policies, reviewing suppliers or recommending process improvements.

2. Is a relocation specialist the same as a relocation manager?

No. A relocation specialist supports individual moves, while a relocation manager is responsible for the overall relocation programme, including policy, budget and suppliers.

3. At what point should a company outsource relocation?

Many organisations consider outsourcing when move volume increases, moves become international, or leaders need more consistent data and reporting on relocation.

4. Can an in-house team and an RMC work together?

Yes. Many organisations use a hybrid model where an internal team owns policy and decisions and an RMC offers coordination, suppliers and technology.