Global Travel Manager
On-siteHouston, Texas, United States
Job Summary
Lead the global travel, meetings and events, corporate card, and purchasing card programs by developing strategies that improve traveler experience, policy compliance, and cost effectiveness. Manage and continuously improve corporate travel policies, standards, procedures, and governance practices while leading, coaching, and developing a team of travel professionals. Partner with Procurement to source, negotiate, and manage strategic supplier agreements with travel management companies, airlines, hotels, and commercial card providers, owning supplier performance management and vendor relationship governance. Develop, manage, and monitor global travel budgets, forecasts, savings initiatives, and spend optimization programs. Analyze travel data, supplier utilization, traveler behavior, and program performance metrics to support executive decision-making. Partner with HSSE to ensure effective traveler tracking, emergency response protocols, and duty of care compliance. Oversee travel technology platforms, including online booking tools, traveler tracking systems, and expense integration processes. Drive automation, process improvement, and digital transformation initiatives across travel-related processes. Collaborate with Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, Security, and executive leadership to align travel strategies with business priorities. Support sustainability initiatives by implementing travel-related carbon reporting and environmentally responsible travel solutions. Lead communications and change management initiatives associated with travel policy or program changes.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Travel Management, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, or a related discipline
- 7+ years of corporate travel management experience
- 3+ years of leadership experience managing travel programs, sourcing initiatives, or related operational teams
- Experience negotiating and managing complex supplier contracts
- Experience supporting multinational organizations and international travel operations
- Experience managing travel budgets, program metrics, and strategic initiatives
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Deep understanding of corporate travel management, sourcing, supplier management, and travel industry trends
- Strong financial, analytical, and business acumen
- Experience with travel management and expense platforms, including Concur Travel & Expense
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and influencing skills
- Strong stakeholder management abilities across all organizational levels
- Proven project management and change leadership capabilities
- Ability to leverage data and analytics to drive strategic decisions and continuous improvement
- Must be available for weekend shifts
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs
Desired Qualifications
- Global travel management experience within an engineering, construction, energy, defense, government services, or multinational organization
- Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) certification or similar professional credential
- Experience leading travel technology implementations or major process transformations
- Experience supporting global sustainability initiatives and travel emissions reporting
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