Section Chief (Transportation) - Corporate Services and Facilities Department

imf; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The IMF, headquartered in Washington, DC, is seeking an experienced Transportation Section Chief to lead the Transportation Section in the General Services Division. You will oversee travel and transportation programs, vendor management, and policy compliance across IMF’s global operations.

Responsibilities include setting strategic direction, managing contracts and SLAs, leveraging data analytics, and ensuring duty of care.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in business administration, transportation management, travel management, logistics, or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience; or 14+ years with a bachelor's degree.
• Experience leading travel, transportation services for large/global organizations.
• Knowledge of the travel industry, GDS, airline distribution, and travel data platforms.
• Experience managing contracts, vendor performance, SLAs and supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead travel management and transportation operations, ensuring cost-effective, client-focused service delivery.
• Provide strategic oversight of supplier relationships and vendor performance across the Section.
• Set direction for travel technology, data management, reporting and analytics to support decisions.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to ensure service delivery and policy alignment.
• Support duty of care responsibilities and coordinate during disruptions or emergencies.

Skills

Leadership

Travel management

Vendor management

Contract management

Data analytics

Education

Advanced degree in business administration or related field

Bachelor's degree +14+ years experience

Grade A12 equivalent experience

Tools

Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

Online Booking Tools

Travel Expense Reporting Systems

Airline Distribution Systems

Job description

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is looking to hire an experienced Travel and Transportation professional to lead the Transportation Section in the General Services Division of the Corporate Services and Facilities Department. This position is based at IMF headquarters in Washington, DC.

Under the general supervision of the Division Chief and Deputy Division Chief of the General Services Division, the Transportation Section Chief will provide strategic leadership, operational direction, and effective management of the Section's portfolio, including travel management, transportation programs, vendor and contract oversight, client engagement and duty of care support.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Section Chief will set the strategic direction for the Transportation Section, ensure effective delivery of the Section's work program, and provide leadership and mentorship to staff, including development of staff capabilities, performance feedback, and strategic advice to departmental and senior management.

Travel Management and Operations

Provide overall leadership and oversight of the IMF's travel program and transportation portfolio, ensuring reliable, cost-effective, and client-focused service delivery including airline, rail, hotel, chauffeur, visa and passport, and travel payment credit card.

Develop and implement strategies and service improvements that respond to the evolving travel environment and the operational needs of the Fund.

Ensure effective after-hours travel emergency coverage and provide support for worldwide evacuations, working closely with IMF Security, HR, and other relevant stakeholders.

Oversee complex, multi-faceted projects and leverage technology to analyze travel data, market developments, and service trends to identify opportunities for efficiency, cost effectiveness, and improved client experience.

Provide expert guidance to senior management, departments, overseas offices, and Regional Centers on travel-related services, policies, and operational requirements.

Contract and Vendor Management

Provide strategic oversight of supplier relationships, outsourced service partners, and vendor performance across the Section's portfolio.

Establish performance expectations, monitor vendor SLAs and key performance indicators, and identify opportunities for improvement, and cost effectiveness.

Oversee transportation or travel management procurement processes and resolve complex vendor-related issues and operational performance.

Technology, Data, and Innovation

Set direction for the effective use of travel technology, data management, reporting, and analytics to support operational decisions and service planning.

Evaluate and guide the implementation of technology enhancements, including travel management tools and related platforms.

Develop meaningful metrics, dashboards, reports, and forecast information to support management oversight and respond to stakeholder inquiries.

Encourage innovation and continuous improvement in processes, systems, and service delivery, while ensuring alignment with Fund policies and operational requirements.

Client Engagement, Communication, and Duty of Care

Build strong working relationships with clients, departments, overseas offices, Regional Centers, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery and timely resolution of issues.

Develop and execute communication strategies to disseminate information about travel tools, procedures, service updates, and policy changes across the institution.

Support the Fund's duty of care responsibilities by ensuring timely access to reliable travel data and effective coordination during disruptions, emergencies, and other events requiring rapid operational response.

Represent the Section and the Department in internal and external discussions on transportation, travel management, and related operational matters.

Qualifications and Experience

Educational development, typically acquired by the completion of an advanced university degree in business administration, transportation management, travel management, logistics, or a related field, plus a minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience; or a bachelor's degree supplemented by a minimum of fourteen years of relevant professional work experience, is required. Alternatively, a minimum of two years of experience in a related position at Grade A12, or equivalent, is required.

Proven experience leading travel, transportation, or related operational services for a large, complex, or global organization, including oversight of third-party service providers.

Demonstrated knowledge of the travel industry, travel management companies, airline distribution, global distribution systems, online booking tools, travel data, expense reporting, and related operational platforms.

Experience managing contracts, vendor performance, service-level agreements and supplier relationships. Strong analytical skil