Associate Vice President - Travel Operations & Supplier Management

- This role will work with travel agency partners, travel technology partners, and travel suppliers (air, hotel, ground) to identify solutions to improve service delivery and bring value for the Firm and its travelers.

- The Travel team provides insight on travel behavior and opportunities to the firm's executive team and department heads, based upon data analysis and reporting, including spend management and travel compliance reporting.

- The team also conducts regular trainings for administrative assistants and other employee groups as vital on processes, procedures, and policy updates, as well as supplier program updates for airlines, hotels, ground transportation, travel agency, and travel technology providers.

- The team is responsible for the strategy and negotiation of all travel supplier contracts and leads ongoing supplier management programs with strategic air, hotel, ground, and travel agency partners, ensuring the firm's requirements are met. Additionally, the team, in collaboration with the Finance and AP teams, runs, and administers global travel and expense policy.

Primary functions and essential responsibilities:

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Travel supplier management for travel agency partners, airlines, hotels, and ground transportation providers to find opportunities for improvements with service delivery and cost reduction opportunities through negotiations.

- Help lead RFP projects for the selection and implementation of new suppliers that meet the firm's requirements.

- Keep up to date on travel industry and market developments to identify new opportunities.

- Maintain excellent traveler service levels, getting hands-on involved as needed when there are issues with our service providers or significant business critical situations that require more active management.

- Travel-related projects (maybe related to ESG goals or other initiatives for the firm).

- Support hotel negotiations for meetings and events.