Director procurement operations, travel, meetings & events

Société Financière Manuvie; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Director of Travel Operations to oversee travel program management, vendor relationships, and team leadership. This role involves optimizing travel and expense operations while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness across North America and the UK. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate travel operations and strong leadership skills, managing a diverse team to enhance traveler support and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in corporate travel operations management.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Manage vendor relationships and contracts for travel services.
• Lead a team for meetings and events operations.
• Provide guidance to travelers on booking tools and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Business Degree

Tools

Cvent

Job description

As the Director of Travel Operations, you will oversee the day-to-day management of the Travel Program, Travel Management Company relationships and contracts, and travel vendor contracts, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness across North America and the UK. You will lead a dynamic team, including the Manager of Meetings & Events Operations, Manager of Expense Operations, and a Business Analyst, to optimize our travel, expense, and meetings operations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Vendor Management:
   • Manage the relationship and contract for the Travel Management Company.
   • Oversee contracts and relationships with travel vendors, including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, rail, and re-shopping services.
   • Ensure optimal contract performance and service levels to maximize value from preferred vendors.
   • Attend strategic vendor meetings to identify issues, perform data analysis, and explore opportunities for savings and efficiency improvements.
2. Team Leadership:
   • Manage, coach, and lead a team responsible for meetings and events operations, expense operations, and data analysis.
3. Traveler Support:
   • Provide ongoing guidance and education to travelers on booking tools, understanding travel policies, and managing expenses effectively.
   • Organize and conduct quarterly traveler support sessions to address common questions, share best practices, and provide updates on travel-related topics.
   • Maintain active communication through Viva Engage, Support Mailbox, and Teams channels, offering regular updates and insights on industry trends and potential issues impacting travelers.
   • Serve as a point of contact for travelers seeking assistance or clarification on travel-related matters, ensuring a smooth and informed travel experience.
4. Process Improvement:
   • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify operational efficiencies and design processes for new programs or components.
   • Work with Managers of Meetings & Events and Expense Operations to analyze data and produce management reports for travel and event programs.
   • Partner with operations and sourcing groups to represent business partner requirements for evaluating and proposing new vendors or renewing existing contracts.
5. Financial Oversight:
   • Manage the billing process with travel vendors to ensure accuracy and timely payments.
   • Ensure all deliverables that are charged have been received and actioned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in corporate travel operations management and vendor contract management.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing a diverse team.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to perform data analysis and produce actionable insights.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for engaging with internal stakeholders, business partners, and external vendors.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strong assets:

• Business degree
• Project Management & Data analytics
• Knowledge of meetings & events industry and technology, including Cvent.
• Knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements relating to management of third-party outsourcing in the jurisdictions in which Manulife operates.
• Understanding procurement and vendor management principles.
• Experience and expertise with supplier contractual terms and conditions to mitigate legal and business risk.