Associate Director, Travel Operations

NCAA•Indianapolis, IN

8h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Travel Operations plays a critical role in enabling reliable, high-quality championship travel (air, ground & lodging) execution across NCAA programs. This position partners closely with travel vendors, internal stakeholders, and leadership to strengthen operational performance, service consistency, and risk mitigation across all championship travel activities. The role focuses on improving end-to-end travel outcomes through strong vendor partnerships, disciplined operational practices, and the effective use of tools and information to support decision-making. By enhancing visibility, consistency, and accountability across travel operations, the Associate Director helps elevate the student-athlete experience while protecting operational continuity and financial stewardship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
3-5 years of experience within a fast-paced environment driven by process improvements, data and analytics required.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
Strong operational judgment and ability to make timely decisions in high‑pressure environments.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage complex situations with multiple stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail, follow‑through, and task ownership.
Proficiency with travel systems, TMC platforms, and Microsoft Office tools.
Ability to be on call during peak championship travel periods.

Nice To Haves

Preferred background in business operations, technology-enabled services, or complex program execution.
5+ years of experience within a fast-paced environment driven by process improvements, data and analytics preferred.
Preferred experience working with travel management companies, airline carriers, or large event travel programs.
familiarity with travel data and reporting platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

Support championship decision-making by tracking key issues, risks, and outcomes and ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
Monitor vendor performance against service expectations and recommend improvements to strengthen reliability, traveler experience, and value.
Maintain clear, practical documentation of championship travel processes and escalation paths to support consistent execution.
Identify opportunities to simplify workflows, clarify ownership, and reduce friction across stakeholders.
Coordinate intake and prioritization of operational enhancements to ensure efforts are aligned with championship needs and available capacity.
Support ongoing initiatives that enhance the student-athlete and championship experience through improved travel operations.
Partner with internal teams and travel vendors to optimize the use of existing travel systems and tools in support of efficient operations.
Evaluate potential enhancements to tools and processes that improve visibility, responsiveness, and traveler experience.
Support automation and system improvements that reduce manual effort and improve consistency across championship travel activities.
Maintain standardized templates and playbooks to support repeatable execution without adding unnecessary complexity.
Partner with travel leadership and FP&A to understand travel trends, cost drivers, and operational risk factors.
Track airline and vendor performance trends, including disruption drivers and service impacts.
Support budget forecasting and planning by identifying operational risks, policy considerations, and emerging travel dynamics.
Assist with audits and compliance reviews to ensure appropriate controls are maintained.
Contribute to risk mitigation strategies related to travel disruptions and championship logistics.
Other duties as assigned