Corporate Travel Manager job description

Job brief

We are looking for a detail-oriented Corporate Travel Manager to own and optimize our global travel program for a fast-growing, international organization. You will be responsible for streamlining the booking process, managing our corporate card program, and ensuring our travel policies evolve to meet the needs of our diverse workforce. This is a high-impact role where you will drive significant cost savings while championing the employee experience during critical business travel. If you have a passion for vendor negotiation, data-driven optimization, and delivering seamless logistical solutions, we want to hear from you.

What is a Corporate Travel Manager?

A Corporate Travel Manager is a strategic professional responsible for overseeing an organization’s end-to-end business travel ecosystem. By managing relationships with Travel Management Companies (TMCs), global distribution systems, and preferred airline or hotel vendors, a Corporate Travel Manager ensures that corporate travel programs remain cost-effective, compliant, and traveler-centric. This role integrates data analytics and sophisticated booking platforms to balance fiscal responsibility with the safety and well-being of a mobile workforce.

What does a Corporate Travel Manager do?

On a daily basis, a Corporate Travel Manager audits travel spend, reconciles expense reports in tools like Concur or Expensify, and monitors real-time travel disruptions to provide 24/7 support. They negotiate service level agreements (SLAs) with global hospitality providers, configure online booking tool (OBT) settings to enforce policy compliance, and translate complex travel data into actionable insights for executive leadership. By bridging the gap between finance, human resources, and external travel suppliers, they ensure that every business trip is executed with precision, security, and adherence to company budgets.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive global travel policies that align with company budget targets and duty-of-care requirements.
• Negotiate and manage high-value contracts with airlines, hotel chains, and car rental agencies to secure corporate discounted rates.
• Configure and administer online booking tools (OBTs) and expense management platforms like SAP Concur or Navan to track spend.
• Analyze travel expenditure data to identify cost-saving opportunities, leakage, and trends in departmental travel patterns.
• Oversee the corporate credit card program, ensuring timely reconciliation and monitoring against expense management compliance standards.
• Manage vendor relationships with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) to ensure adherence to established service level agreements (SLAs).
• Implement and maintain robust traveler tracking systems to ensure the safety and security of employees during international travel.
• Lead quarterly business reviews with internal stakeholders to report on ROI, policy compliance, and total travel program performance.

Requirements and skills

• 5+ years of direct experience managing corporate travel programs for mid-to-large scale global organizations.
• Expert-level proficiency in industry-standard tools such as SAP Concur, Navan, Cvent, or equivalent OBT/expense management platforms.
• Strong background in procurement and vendor negotiation, specifically within the airline, hospitality, or ground transportation sectors.
• Advanced data analysis skills using Excel, Tableau, or Power BI to translate spend data into executive-level reporting.
• Certification as a Global Travel Professional (GTP) or equivalent industry credential preferred to demonstrate subject matter expertise.
• Deep understanding of international visa requirements, travel regulations, and corporate duty-of-care best practices.
• Proven ability to articulate complex travel policy changes to non-travel stakeholders through clear, persuasive documentation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

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