Location: Chesterfield, Missouri, United States
Requisition Number: 44337
Job Title: Travel Program Manager (TPM) – Corporate Travel
A Day In The Life
We are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and results‑oriented leader to optimize our corporate travel program, ensuring efficient, cost‑effective, and safe travel arrangements for all employees while driving strategic initiatives and operational excellence.
Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end travel management, applying deep knowledge of the dynamic business travel landscape.
- Collaborate with client leadership and internal/external consulting partners (e.g., AMEX GBT Consulting) to deliver travel program excellence.
- Develop, implement, and continuously optimize corporate travel policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal guidelines and external regulations.
- Create a robust travel program roadmap, including strategic initiatives for continuous improvement.
- Provide clear direction and challenge stakeholders in building, executing, and evolving the travel program and related T&E system interactions.
- Lead and manage strategic relationships with airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and other travel vendors.
- Negotiate favorable contracts and preferred rates, overseeing contractual performance to achieve significant cost savings and enhanced service levels.
- Manage supplier support, escalations, and rate loading activities.
- Oversee the entire travel budget, monitor expenses, analyze spend data, and identify opportunities for cost‑saving measures without compromising traveler experience or safety.
- Track and report on KPIs such as online adoption, compliance, overall savings, and duty of care.
- Analyze data from tools like Egencia dashboards to generate relevant reports and inform decisions with stakeholders, including C‑suite executives.
- Oversee daily travel operations: planning accommodations, booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
- Improve traveler satisfaction and user experience, focusing on employee care, compliance, and engagement.
- Provide expert guidance on expense policies, systems, and safety protocols.
- Define and create process maps and standard operating procedures related to the managed travel program.
- Ensure strict adherence to travel policies, promptly addressing non‑compliance.
- Prepare comprehensive travel budget reports and analyze travel trends for senior management.
- Report on travel industry trends and updates, educating stakeholders on regulatory and market dynamics.
- Leverage and optimize travel management software and tools to streamline booking processes and enhance traveler experience.
- Provide leadership and best‑practice guidance on improving travel processes, systems, and technologies.
- Support implementation of new tools and processes, administering configuration of OBTs and other travel technologies.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for travel and expense policies to foster transparency and adherence.
- Organize and lead internal meetings and training sessions to encourage best practices and policy compliance.
- Prepare and present reports on the travel program strategy, goals, progress, and KPIs to stakeholders at various levels within the organization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in corporate travel management.
- Expertise in creating, optimizing, and monitoring sophisticated global corporate travel policies and programs.
- Proven track record of strategic vendor negotiation, contract administration, and supplier relationship management, generating significant cost savings.
- Proficiency with industry travel tools and systems (e.g., Concur, Egencia, Amadeus, Sabre, GetThere).
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, generate actionable reports, and present insights to senior leaders and C‑suite executives.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, handling travel disruptions and risk management.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in the travel program.
- Certifications such as CCTE or GTP are highly advantageous.
Benefits
- Health Benefits – Options for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) – Automatic 5% company contribution with matching up to 4% of contributions.
- Family Support – 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave and fertility coverage.
- Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $5,000 per year for eligible tuition expenses.
- Time Off – Generous PTO based on years of service: 0–9 years: 25 days, 10–19 years: 30 days, 20+ years: 35 days.