Manager Travel Program

Overview

Date: Mar 13, 2026

Location: Chesterfield, MO - Missouri, US, 63017

City: Chesterfield State: Missouri (US-MO)
Country: United States (US)
Requisition Number: 44337

A Day In The Life: We are seeking a highly experienced, strategic, and results-oriented Travel Program Manager (TPM) to lead and optimize our company's corporate travel program. This role is critical in ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and safe travel arrangements for all employees, aligning with our organizational goals, compliance standards, and our commitment to traveler satisfaction. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in end-to-end corporate travel planning, robust vendor negotiation, comprehensive policy development, and data-driven cost management, leveraging industry best practices and consulting insights.

This is a leadership role, offering an opportunity to drive significant value through strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

• What You’ll Be Doing:
• Strategic Program Leadership (End-to-End Travel Management):
• Provide end-to-end travel management leadership, demonstrating deep knowledge and understanding of the dynamic business travel landscape.
• Utilize expertise from internal or external consulting networks (like AMEX GBT Consulting) to deliver travel program excellence in collaboration with client leadership.
• Develop, implement, and continuously optimize corporate travel policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal guidelines, budget constraints, and external regulations.
• Proactively understand the company's needs and develop a robust travel program roadmap, including strategic initiatives for continuous improvement.
• Provide clear direction and constructively challenge business stakeholders in the creation, execution, and ongoing development of the travel program and related T&E system interactions.
• Vendor Relationships & Negotiations:
• 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, enhanced service levels, and alignment with our corporate sustainability goals.
• Manage supplier contact support and escalations, and support rate loading activities.
• Budget Management & Cost Control:
• Oversee the entire travel budget, meticulously monitoring travel expenses, analyzing spend data, and identifying opportunities for cost-saving measures without compromising traveler experience or safety.
• Manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as online adoption, compliance, overall savings, and duty of care, ensuring the program's success from both an operational and strategic standpoint.
• Analyze data from tools like Egencia dashboards to generate relevant reports and inform decisions with stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives.
• Operational Excellence & Traveler
  
  Experience:
  
  
• Oversee and direct daily travel operations, including planning accommodations, booking flights, hotels, and ground transportation, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
• Provide strong focus on improving traveler satisfaction and user experience, focusing on employee care and compliance, driving engagement, improved behaviors, and savings.
• Aid travelers in navigating expense policies and systems, providing expert guidance and support on all travel-related inquiries, documentation, and safety protocols.
• Define and create process maps and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the managed travel program.
• Policy Compliance, Reporting & Thought Leadership:
• Ensure strict adherence to travel policies, identifying areas of non-compliance and addressing them promptly.
• Prepare comprehensive travel budget reports and analyze travel trends for senior management to inform strategic decision-making.
• Report on trends and updates in the travel industry through proactive governance and education of client stakeholders.
• Provide insight and thought leadership on market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, supplier landscapes, and technical innovations.
• Technology & Innovation:
• Leverage and optimize travel management software and tools to streamline booking processes, improve operating efficiencies, and enhance the traveler experience.
• Provide leadership and best practice guidance on improving travel processes, systems, and technologies.
• Support the implementation of new tools and processes, and administer configuration of OBTs and other travel technologies.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management:
• 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 among employees.
• Prepare and present reports on travel program strategy, goals, progress, and KPIs to stakeholders at various levels within the organization.

• Skill/Experience Requirements:
• Bachelor  degree in Tourism, Travel,…