Global Travel Manager

Global Travel & Expense Program Manager Professional Services Firm Location: Must reside in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, or Washington DC and be able to be in an office at these locations for specific meetings. Work Model: Mostly Remote (onsite as needed) Hours: 40 hours/week Contract Pay Range: $60–$80/hour Our client, a global professional services firm, is hiring for a Global Travel & Expense Program Manager. This role will lead and evolve the firm’s end-to-end corporate travel and expense program across a large, multinational employee base. The ideal candidate brings deep functional expertise in corporate travel management, a strategic mindset, and demonstrated success driving compliance, cost optimization, and a best-in-class employee travel experience. About the Role The Global Travel & Expense Program Manager will own the firm’s global T&E strategy, policies, vendor relationships, and systems. This leader ensures the program operates efficiently, supports business objectives, and provides high-quality service to employees who travel for work. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, and business leadership to ensure alignment, compliance, and continuous improvement across all aspects of travel and expense management. Key Responsibilities Travel Program Management • Develop and manage a global travel and expense program aligned with corporate strategy and industry best practices. • Serve as the primary contact for all travel-related escalations and support. • Assess organizational travel needs and recommend program improvements. • Negotiate and manage contracts with airlines, hotels, rental car providers, and TMCs. • Enhance traveler experience through technology, tools, and process optimization (e.g., Concur, online booking tools). Expense Management & Compliance • Oversee travel and expense systems and ensure alignment with corporate policies and regulatory standards. • Analyze travel spend, identify trends, and uncover opportunities for cost savings. • Deliver regular reports to senior leadership related to budgets, KPIs, and program performance. • Lead travel risk management efforts and duty-of-care obligations. Vendor & Category Management • Develop category strategies and supplier performance metrics for travel procurement. • Ensure preferred supplier utilization and evaluate supplier capabilities. • Partner with Legal on contract templates, negotiations, and risk mitigation. • Stay current on travel advisories, industry trends, and best practices. Leadership & Continuous Improvement • Act as the organization’s subject matter expert for travel and expense management. • Collaborate with HR, Talent Acquisition, and business units to align travel policies with operational needs. • Lead change management efforts to support adoption of policies, tools, and preferred vendors. • Drive data-informed improvements to enhance efficiency and the traveler experience. Required Experience & Skills • 8+ years of corporate travel & expense management experience (domestic & global). • Experience leading T&E programs in a mid- to large-size corporate environment. • Deep expertise with Concur and other travel/expense technologies. • Demonstrated job stability and a track record of success managing complex T&E functions. • Strong analytical, financial, and reporting skills (budgets, cost optimization, vendor performance). • Experience defining and maintaining corporate T&E policies. • Exceptional professionalism and ability to collaborate with senior leadership. Preferred Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred). • Certifications such as GTP, CCTE, or similar. • Experience navigating global labor and compliance considerations. Apply tot his job