Team Lead, Event Travel

Reed & Mackay Internal; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Navan Events seeks an experienced Executive to lead its Event Travel operations, acting as a primary liaison for key clients and suppliers. You will guide a high-performing team, drive timelines and budgets, and ensure exceptional service delivery across US travel programs.

The role emphasizes coaching, performance management, and ongoing training to sustain best-in-class travel execution and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years in a senior travel or operations role.
• Strong leadership and coaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as main liaison for internal/external clients and suppliers.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Event Travel team.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and vendor coordination for events.
• Oversee training and performance improvement plans.
• Resolve escalated client issues to satisfactory outcomes.

Skills

GDS Sabre experience

Google Workspace

MS Office

Service level agreements (SLAs)

Team leadership

Performance management

Tools

Sabre GDS

Google Workspace

MS Office

Job description

• To provide the highest possible level of assistance to key clients, General Manager, Operations Manager, and the Event Travel team overall
• To develop relationships across all areas of Navan Events, sharing best in class market knowledge of Event Travel
• To ensure maximum revenue generation in all areas of Navan Event Travel while always ensuring significant return on investment to the client

As a primary client liaison of the Event Travel Department, you will further the vision and goals of Navan by providing outstanding support across the US.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a main point of contact for both internal and external clients and suppliers
• Lead, coach, and inspire a high-performing team to achieve excellence in client service and travel execution
• Set clear goals, provide real-time feedback, and support ongoing training and professional development
• Manage team workload and capacity, collaborating with other leaders to flex resources when needed
• Recruit, onboard, and integrate new team members, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture
• Engage in daily performance management, motivation, and development of the team, giving operational updates and escalating issues when appropriate
• Develop, implement, and manage the training plan for your team in conjunction with the Operations Manager plus onboarding team. Deliver training requirements and performance improvement measures
• Investigate escalated customer complaints or issues to satisfactory resolution
• Lead complex projects from conception to execution, including budgets, timelines, logistics, and vendor management
• Works through conflict constructively, finding opportunities to resolve difficulties
• Assist the Event Travel managers in invoicing, reconciliation, and finance coordination at the close of the event.
• Lead regular team meetings to ensure your team is up to date on new product launches, industry updates and exciting team initiatives and programs
• Collaborate with senior leadership to set departmental goals and align event delivery with broader business objectives.
• Constantly improve your travel industry and platform knowledge so we continue to set the standard for best-in-class travel agents

Skills Required:

• Professional oral and written communication skills required, both for internal and external customer contact.
• 4+ years of GDS Sabre experience preferred
• Proficient Google/MS Suite skills along with the technical aptitude to learn innovative technology
• Strong understanding of service level agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and productivity metrics
• Ability to manage escalated customer issues and drive timely resolution while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction
• Working knowledge of workforce management principles including schedule adherence, attendance management, and capacity planning
• Ability to multitask with a desire to resolve urgent matters as quickly and efficiently as possible
• An empathetic disposition with the ability to always maintain a professional attitude
• An independent thinker who can use available resources to troubleshoot issues and resolve customer inquiries
• Reliable and flexible with an openness to working full-time non-traditional shifts (early mornings, late evenings, and weekends)
• An interest in travel with a basic understanding of world geographywith a passion for global experiences