Manager of Travel & Expenses - Hybrid (Seattle, WA)

Job Description

Nordstrom is hiring a Sr. Manager of Travel to join our team! This position responsible for travel arrangements for executive travelers, advisory board members, distinguished guests, executive job candidates and current Nordstrom employees who are conducting business with or on behalf of Nordstrom.

In addition to managing travel needs, this position will negotiate with travel providers and provide policy interpretation, risk mitigation. This includes the overall travel and business expense program management, ownership of preferred travel vendors (including but not limited to travel agencies, corporate credit card providers, airlines, hotels, car rental companies and ride-sharing services), travel policy compliance reporting, and daily management and problem resolution of inquiries made by Nordstrom travelers  This individual should be able to manage global programs and policies around Nordstrom’s footprint for Global Travel and Meeting & Events including sourcing strategies to provide Nordstrom with best-in-class pricing and service and execute the day-to-day activities.  

A day in the life…

• Introduce new and more efficient ways of operating

• Lead and manage the company's corporate travel and expense programs, including preferred travel vendors, travel management companies, expense management partner, and company credit card programs

• Continuously assess and optimize the travel program to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and employee satisfaction. Stay updated about industry trends and best practices in travel management

• Serves as the main point of contact for all Nordstrom programmatic travel needs and meets regularly with directors of departments and executive travelers to provide updates on travel policy changes, problem solving, and reconcile financial documentation from vendors

• Build and implement annual category plans to drive the strategic management of all travel and event related spend. Partner with stakeholders to develop strategic sourcing plans/pipeline looking ahead 1 -5 years

• Leverage competitive commercial approaches whenever possible to optimize savings and business value. Negotiate contracts and other commercial terms directly with suppliers, in collaboration with the sourcing team

• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of savings, in accordance with FP&A guidelines

• Manage relationships with travel management company and other strategic category suppliers

• Monitor supplier and traveler KPIs and facilitate remediation of any notable or recurring performance issues

• Perform required contract management activities, including processing amendments, monitoring expiration dates, updating supporting documentation, etc.

• Conduct regular spend analysis to identify trends and opportunities by category, subcategory, business unit and geography, or as required

• Leverage internal and external resources to stay apprised of relevant industry and category trends

• Generate regular reports on travel expenses, booking patterns, and compliance metrics. Utilize data to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvement

• Supplier Management: Coordinate with contracts team and sourcing as necessary, and lead contract negotiations associated with managing, program venues and suppliers including exhibit, show management, transportation, housing management, registration, promotional vendors, exposition services, security, destination management, and other third-party vendors as required. Ensure suppliers follow data privacy protocols.

You own this if you have…

• 5+ years Travel Management/Procurement experience

  • 5+ years’ experience with Global Travel and/or Meetings & Events management

  • 5+ years’ experience with Supplier Management

  • 5+ years’ experience with Analysis and reporting

  • 5+ years managing outside service providers.

  • 5+ years people management

• Proven track record of achieving travel category savings via sourcing, demand management and / or policy compliance

• Experience with the design and implementation of corporate travel programs or continuous improvement initiatives

• Experience developing and operationalizing global category strategies for airfare, hotels, rental car or ride share programs or other relevant travel categories

• Proficiency in analyzing travel data to identify cost-saving opportunities and trends

• Proficiency in travel and expense-related systems (e.g. Concur)

• Demonstrated success in complex project management, including stakeholder engagement and change management

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