Associate Director, Strategy & Operations

Engine; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 179,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Hybrid work model

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Engine is seeking an Associate Director, Strategy & Operations to turn strategy into execution across the business. This high-visibility role coordinates with division leaders so the CEO can stay focused on strategy, market shifts, and growth.

You will be an individual-contributor with no direct reports initially, working across Sales, Ops, OBT, Account Management, and Accounting to keep initiatives aligned and moving.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in corporate travel / TMC operations or strategy & operations.
• Track record of turning strategy into executed outcomes in a fast-moving scaling business.
• Strong cross-functional coordination and influence without direct authority.
• Decisive, creative problem-solver who drives work to completion.
• Comfortable being client-facing and representing the business externally.
• Fluency with modern technology and operating tools, with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Operationalize strategy from plan through execution to measurable outcomes and report results to the CEO and stakeholders.
• Drive cross-division operating rhythm across Sales, Operations, OBT, Account Management, and Accounting to keep initiatives aligned.
• Serve as the Options-Engine liaison—coordinate fixes, pricing, and tech needs once the OBT is live.
• Coordinate contracts and legal with Engine counsel to keep agreements current and moving.
• Solve problems with clients and support retention and growth in partnership with the CEO and division leaders.
• Improve processes to increase scalability and operational efficiency.
• Support initiatives like partner-network and global-fulfillment efforts as bandwidth allows.

Skills

Corporate travel / TMC operations

Strategy & operations

Cross-functional coordination

Client-facing

Tech proficiency

Job description

About Engine

Engine is the AI-native platform for intelligent travel. For a decade, Engine has built the proprietary technology and supply behind modern business travel, serving over 40,000 customers and nearly 2 million travelers, along with leading travel and AI companies that build on Engine's infrastructure. One system powers business travel, group travel, human agents, and AI agents.

About Engine

Engine is the AI-native platform for intelligent travel. For a decade, Engine has built the proprietary technology and supply behind modern business travel, serving over 40,000 customers and nearly 2 million travelers, along with leading travel and AI companies that build on Engine's infrastructure. One system powers business travel, group travel, human agents, and AI agents.
That work has earned recognition as one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators (2025), TravelTech's Reservation Platform of the Year (2026), and one of Built In's Best Places to Work (2020-2026).
We're looking for bold, ambitious people to help redefine how businesses manage and experience travel. Working here, you can expect exponential growth, an ambitious pace, full ownership, and high-caliber colleagues who push you to do the best work of your career. Every hire raises the bar.
Come outpace the ordinary and build the future of travel with us.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Options Travel, now part of Engine, is scaling toward $1B in corporate travel. We're hiring an Associate Director, Strategy & Operations to turn strategy into execution across the business and act as the connective layer across our divisions - so the CEO can stay focused on strategy, market shifts, and growth. This is a high-visibility role for a decisive operator who gets things done, works well with senior stakeholders, and is fluent in corporate travel.

This is an individual-contributor role with no direct reports initially. You'll partner with and coordinate across division leaders through influence and operating cadence rather than line management - divisions do not report into this role and you'll execute and operationalize the strategy set by the CEO as a trusted proxy on cross-functional execution.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Operationalize strategy — take defined Options Travel strategies and initiatives from plan through execution to measurable outcome, and report results to the CEO and stakeholders.
• Drive cross-division operating rhythm — set the cadence and coordination across Sales, Operations, the online booking tool (OBT), Account Management, and Accounting to keep initiatives aligned and moving.
• Serve as the Options-Engine liaison — the day-to-day point of contact once the online booking tool is live, resolving issues and coordinating fixes, pricing, and technology needs.
• Coordinate contracts and legal — organize Options Travel contracts and partner with Engine counsel to keep agreements current and moving.
• Solve problems with clients — engage directly with clients to resolve issues and support retention and growth, in partnership with the CEO and division leaders.
• Improve how the business runs — identify and implement new processes that increase scalability and operational efficiency.
• Support other initiatives as needed — as bandwidth allows, help build out partner-network and global-fulfillment efforts.
  

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• 8+ years in corporate travel / TMC operations or strategy & operations, including 2-3 years in a senior operating or lead capacity.
• A track record of turning strategy into executed outcomes in a fast-moving, scaling business.
• Strong cross-functional coordination - able to align and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• A decisive, creative problem-solver and doer who drives work to completion rather than passing it on.
• Comfort being client-facing and representing the business externally.
• Fluency with modern technology and operating tools, and strong communication and expectation-setting.

Compensation

Our compensation packages are based on several factors, including your experience, expertise, and location. In addition to a competitive base salary, all roles receive equity. Depending on the role, total compensation may also include an annual bonus. Your recruiter will share your complete compensation package as you move through the process.

Base Pay Range

$179,000-$248,000 USD

The Engine Edge: Perks & Compensation

We believe in rewarding great work with great benefits:

• Compensation: Competitive base pay tied to role and experience, with equity for all employees. Some roles are also eligible for bonuses or commissions.
• Benefits: Check out our full list at engine.com/culture
• Environments for Success: Different roles have different needs in terms of the environments that drive success which is why we have a hybrid-hub model. Whether you are in one of our amazing offices or fully remote, we'll make sure you have what you need to succeed.
  

Perks and benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and more