Manager Travel Program

City : Chesterfield State : Missouri (US-MO) Country : United States (US) Requisition Number : 44337

 

 

A Day In The Life:
We are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and results-oriented Travel Program Manager (TPM) to lead and optimize our company's corporate travel program. This role is critical in ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and safe travel arrangements for all employees, aligning with our organizational goals, compliance standards, and our commitment to traveler satisfaction. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in end-to-end corporate travel planning, robust vendor negotiation, comprehensive policy development, and data-driven cost management, leveraging industry best practices and consulting insights.
This is a leadership role, offering an opportunity to drive significant value through strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

 

What You'll Be Doing:
•    Strategic Program Leadership (End-to-End Travel Management):
o    Provide end-to-end travel management leadership, demonstrating deep knowledge and understanding of the dynamic business travel landscape.
o    Utilize expertise from internal or external consulting networks (like AMEX GBT Consulting) to deliver travel program excellence in collaboration with client leadership.
o    Develop, implement, and continuously optimize corporate travel policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal guidelines, budget constraints, and external regulations.
o    Proactively understand the company's needs and develop a robust travel program roadmap, including strategic initiatives for continuous improvement.
o    Provide clear direction and constructively challenge business stakeholders in the creation, execution, and ongoing development of the travel program and related T&E system interactions.

 

•    Vendor Relationships & Negotiations:
o    Lead and manage strategic relationships with airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and other travel vendors.
o    Negotiate favorable contracts and preferred rates, overseeing contractual performance to achieve significant cost savings, enhanced service levels, and alignment with our corporate sustainability goals.
o    Manage supplier contact support and escalations, and support rate loading activities.

 

•    Budget Management & Cost Control:
o    Oversee the entire travel budget, meticulously monitoring travel expenses, analyzing spend data, and identifying opportunities for cost-saving measures without compromising traveler experience or safety.
o    Manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as online adoption, compliance, overall savings, and duty of care, ensuring the program's success from both an operational and strategic standpoint.
o    Analyze data from tools like Egencia dashboards to generate relevant reports and inform decisions with stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives.

 

•    Operational Excellence & Traveler Experience:
o    Oversee and direct daily travel operations, including planning accommodations, booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
o    Provide strong focus on improving traveler satisfaction and user experience, focusing on employee care and compliance, driving engagement, improved behaviors, and savings.
o    Aid travelers in navigating expense policies and systems, providing expert guidance and support on all travel-related inquiries, documentation, and safety protocols.
o    Define and create process maps and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the managed travel program.

 

•    Policy Compliance, Reporting & Thought Leadership:
o    Ensure strict adherence to travel policies, identifying areas of non-compliance and addressing them promptly.
o    Prepare comprehensive travel budget reports and analyze travel trends for senior management to inform strategic decision-making.
o    Report on trends and updates in the travel industry through proactive governance and education of client stakeholders.
o    Provide insight and thought leadership on market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, supplier landscapes, and techn