Manager, Global Travel Operations

Overview

We’re building our global travel program in-house and are looking for an experienced travel professional to own the day-to-day operations from the ground up. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in high-touch environments, knows how to balance service with cost control, and can confidently manage travel operations for a global professional services firm.

You’ll serve as the go-to person for travelers, stakeholders, and leadership—ensuring a seamless travel experience while keeping firm policies, budgets, and strategic objectives front and center.

This role reports to the Managing Director of Business Operations, with a dotted-line relationship to the Travel Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for travelers, handling escalations, service issues, and day-to-day travel inquiries with a white-glove approach

• Partner closely with the Director of Travel to execute firm-wide travel initiatives, meetings, and events

• Oversee managed travel services to ensure policy compliance, cost efficiency, and exceptional service delivery

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across global offices

• Develop and deliver training for travelers and travel arrangers, including policy guidance and profile setup

• Support the implementation and optimization of global travel tools, technologies, and third-party vendors

• Prepare, maintain, and analyze travel dashboards and reports, including spend analysis, compliance metrics, forecasting, and trend insights

• Manage the firm’s travel portfolio for conferences and events, ensuring alignment with budgets and cost-savings goals

• Collaborate cross-functionally with administrative, facilities, and business services teams

• Assist with special projects and respond to urgent travel needs, including occasional after-hours support

Required Experience & Proficiencies

• Proven experience managing a global or enterprise-level travel program within a professional services environment

• Background working directly within a travel agency or internal corporate travel department (required)

• Strong understanding of the global travel industry and organizations such as GBTA and ACTE

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for reporting and dashboards

• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and operational reporting

• Ability to manage vendors, policies, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Exceptional communication, relationship management, and problem-solving skills

• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive firm and traveler information

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• 5+ years of progressive experience in corporate travel management

• Experience supporting high-touch, executive, or white-glove client environments

• Deep knowledge of airline, hotel, and ground transportation programs and global travel operations

• Legal or professional services industry experience strongly preferred (but not required)

Who Will Succeed in This Role

You’re a self-starter who doesn’t wait to be told what to fix—you see it, you own it. You’re organized, collaborative, and comfortable being the calm, capable point person when travel gets complicated (because it will). You know how to deliver five-star service and protect the bottom line.