Section Chief (Transportation) - Corporate Services and Facilities Department

International Monetary Fund•Washington DC, DC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking an experienced travel and transportation professional to lead the Transportation Section in the General Services Division of the Corporate Services and Facilities Department. The position is based at IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, and reports under the general supervision of the Division Chief and Deputy Division Chief of the General Services Division. The Section Chief provides strategic leadership, operational direction, and management of the Section’s portfolio, including travel management, transportation programs, vendor and contract oversight, client engagement, and duty-of-care support. The Section Chief sets the Transportation Section’s strategic direction, ensures effective delivery of its work program, and leads and mentors staff through capability development, performance feedback, and strategic advice to departmental and senior management. The role oversees the IMF travel program and transportation portfolio, including airline, rail, hotel, chauffeur, visa and passport, and travel payment credit card services. It develops service improvements for changing travel conditions and institutional needs, provides after-hours emergency travel coverage, and supports worldwide evacuations with IMF Security, HR, and other stakeholders. The role provides strategic oversight of suppliers, outsourced service partners, procurement, vendor performance, service-level agreements, and operational issues. It guides travel technology, data management, reporting, and analytics, including evaluation and implementation of technology enhancements and development of metrics, dashboards, reports, and forecasts. The Section Chief works closely with clients and stakeholders across the Fund, develops communications about travel services and policies, supports duty-of-care coordination during disruptions and emergencies, and represents the Section and Department in internal and external discussions. The vacancy is for a three-year Term appointment under the Fund’s employment rules. A regular staff member selected for the vacancy retains open-ended status. A selected contractual employee will be offered a Term staff appointment. Staff already on a term appointment continue their current term and may receive an extension if it has not already been extended. Qualified candidates may be assessed through an exercise followed by a competency-based interview.

Requirements

Advanced university degree in business administration, transportation management, travel management, logistics, or a related field and at least eight years of relevant professional experience; or a bachelor’s degree and at least fourteen years of relevant professional experience.
Alternatively, at least two years of experience in a related position at Grade A12 or equivalent.
Proven experience leading travel, transportation, or related operational services for a large, complex, or global organization, including oversight of third-party service providers.
Knowledge of the travel industry, travel management companies, airline distribution, global distribution systems, online booking tools, travel data, expense reporting, and related operational platforms.
Experience managing contracts, vendor performance, service-level agreements, and supplier relationships.
Strong analytical skills, including assessing complex operational issues, developing recommendations, and translating data into practical decisions and service improvements.
Ability to lead staff, manage complex work programs, allocate resources, provide feedback, and foster collaboration across teams and departments.
Experience developing policies, procedures, communications, and service standards for institutional clients and senior stakeholders.
Sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in complex client, vendor, and operational matters.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI or other visualization tools, and PowerPoint.
Ability to apply strong analytical judgment to complex, high-visibility operational issues and establish standards for the Section’s work.
Recognized expertise in transportation and travel management, with the ability to advise senior stakeholders and represent the Department on significant issues.
Ability to think strategically, connect operational issues across functions, and understand the implications of the Section’s work for the broader Fund.
Strong communication skills, including tailoring messages to senior audiences, developing clear written products, and influencing decision-making.
Strong interpersonal, negotiating, and influencing skills, including the ability to build effective relationships and manage challenging situations professionally.
Capacity to lead change, manage complex projects, motivate staff, delegate effectively, and foster teamwork across organizational lines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with travel management systems.

Responsibilities

Set the strategic direction of the Transportation Section and ensure effective delivery of its work program.
Lead and mentor staff, develop staff capabilities, provide performance feedback, and offer strategic advice to departmental and senior management.
Oversee the IMF travel program and transportation portfolio, including airline, rail, hotel, chauffeur, visa and passport, and travel payment credit card services.
Develop and implement strategies and service improvements that address changing travel conditions and operational needs.
Ensure after-hours travel emergency coverage and support worldwide evacuations in coordination with IMF Security, HR, and other stakeholders.
Oversee complex projects and use travel data, market developments, and service trends to identify efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and client-experience improvements.
Advise senior management, departments, overseas offices, and Regional Centers on travel services, policies, and operational requirements.
Oversee supplier relationships, outsourced service partners, vendor performance, service-level agreements, and key performance indicators.
Oversee travel or transportation procurement and resolve complex vendor and operational performance issues.
Set direction for travel technology, data management, reporting, and analytics to support operational decisions and service planning.
Evaluate and guide implementation of technology enhancements, including travel management tools and related platforms.
Develop metrics, dashboards, reports, and forecasts to support management oversight and respond to stakeholder inquiries.
Promote innovation and continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with Fund policies and operational requirements.
Build effective relationships with clients, departments, overseas offices, Regional Centers, vendors, and other stakeholders, and resolve issues in a timely manner.
Develop and implement communications about travel tools, procedures, service updates, and policy changes.
Support the Fund’s duty-of-care responsibilities through reliable travel data and coordination during disruptions, emergencies, and other events requiring rapid response.
Represent the Section and Department in internal and external discussions on transportation, travel management, and related operational matters.