Program Optimization Manager

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This is an exciting manager level role; working closely with a Consulting Director to help improve the client’s travel management program. This position will work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, supporting a complex and progressive account.

This includes finding opportunities to enhance the client’s travel program, creating project plans to address the opportunities, developing the communication plan to key client partners, and ultimately driving the implementation of the solutions. A successful candidate will be able to manage several project workstreams across the globe.

Primary area of focus will be related to the Program Optimization practice line, which spans Travel Policy, Traveler Behavior Analytics and Optimization, as well as Change Management strategy development and delivery.

The role works closely with fully dedicated Amex GBT Service Delivery Managers outsourced to the client as well as with the client’s own Regional and Global Travel leads.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with consulting, project management, analytic and travel/air/hotel industry experience.

What You’ll Do:

• Excellent analytical attitude with broad commercial skill and thought leadership.

• Resourceful individual who can work independently as well as in a distributed team and has strong influence management skills.

• Schedule flexibility to lead meetings outside of US business hours when necessary (early mornings for calls with Europe, evening calls with Asia/Pacific)

• Ability to work with data at a detailed level while keeping an eye on broader strategy.

• Communication:

  • Strong communication skills – ability to translate complex data into key messages and to present to internal & external senior partners and counterparts

  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, listening ability and written presentation skills. Ability to deal with ambiguity and present/discuss work results in a compelling manner.

• Engagement Execution:

  • Effectively implement multi-workstream engagements, prioritize client requests and work objectives using appropriate project management methodologies and tools such as project plans and issue logs. Experience in applying change management techniques to drive sustainable engagement impact and ROI. Creates deliverables within established engagement scope, quality standards and time frames

  • Experience leading projects with global complex customers (i.e., 40+ points of sale, $150M in global spend)

• Problem Solving & Analysis:

  • Develops hypotheses and identifies data to evaluate based on client needs as well as industry trends and subject matter expert observations. Reviews and validates analyses, develops options/alternatives and creates insightful recommendations in context of total engagement. Strong innovative attitude.

  • Deep understanding of both TMC travel data and supplier/third party data (Air/Hotel/Car rental supplier, Corporate Card, Expense, etc.)

  • Familiarity with data visualization tools and reporting (i.e., Tableau)

  • Ability to create specific models and scenarios using available datasets

• Relationship Management:

  • Understands client organization and dynamics. Builds strong working relationships with all key partners. Leverages American Express Global Business Travel and available industry tools and solutions to develop best-in-class deliverables and standard processes

  • Experience successfully navigating global, matrixed client organizations

• Team Guidance and Support:

  • Demonstrates strong work ethic with peers and juniors. Coaches team on subject matter and industry knowledge. Contributes to knowledge creation and dissemination related to the Corporate Travel industry. Supports delivery of internal/external projects that develop the business

  • Experience managing analysts (onshore & offshore) to create & deliver positive client outcomes

• Experience & understanding of the Travel industry

  • Experience representing a firm or client’s interest within the marketplace (i.e., suppler/industry conferences)

  • Commercial approach;