Senior Travel Specialist

Wounded Warrior Project • Tampa, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Senior Travel Specialist assists WWP staff with travel planning for WWP teammates, warriors, and guests, ensures the travel team is informed of all aspects of the travel planning process, and identifies, negotiates, and implements travel efficiencies and cost savings in support of the organization’s mission and goals. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is a veterans service organization that is transforming the way America’s wounded veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in their communities. WWP™ works with warriors and their families to create paths toward success as they transition back into civilian life. Through direct programs and services, WWP connects warriors to a network of support and resources to address their evolving needs. The WWP team is passionate about creating impact—and since 2003, has improved the lives of over half a million warriors and their families. In fact, many WWP employees are veterans themselves and have experienced firsthand the benefits of its programs and services.

Requirements

• Five years of travel industry experience with an emphasis on corporate and group travel.
• Bachelor’s degree in tourism, travel management, or relevant field.
• Equivalent combination of education, experience, training, and certification may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrated understanding of the corporate travel industry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of relationship management and partnering.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse individuals and build effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence.
• Ability to respond to sensitive matters with diplomacy and empathy.
• Good presentation skills.
• Confident communicator with demonstrated ability to present information effectively to groups and individuals.
• Demonstrated understanding of WWP programs and services offered to wounded warriors.
• Ability to travel in support of WWP programs and services.
• Effectively adapt to changing procedures, processes, and methods.
• High energy level.
• Self-starter; willing to take initiative.
• Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.
• Mission-driven, guided by core values, and a pleasure to work with.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience with travel industry professional associations, e.g., GBTA, ACTE.
• Three years of experience in budgeting and negotiating contracts.
• One year of experience working in a non-profit organization.
• Certificate in Corporate Travel Execution (CCTE).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point-of-contact for travel planning with the travel management company on behalf of WWP staff and warriors.
• Provide high-touch service and help WWP staff to troubleshoot travel issues, including assisting with travel logistics and triaging flight issues.
• Facilitate individual and group training covering a range of travel policies, procedures, and operational and technical areas for the travel and events team and help provide teammate’s professional skills development.
• Monitor cost savings and provide oversight of travel specialists to ensure team is using consistent business processes.
• Respond immediately to crisis situations.
• Research and identify options and alternatives for air and ground transportation.
• Work collaboratively with regional office teammates to ensure appropriate and cost-effective transportation options are selected.
• Inform and educate internal staff and warriors on appropriate travel practices.
• Perform compliance audits to ensure consistent standard operating procedures, vendor contracts, and cost initiatives.
• Utilize expense controls and seek cost-saving opportunities to help manage budget effectively.
• Collaborate with and support Event Planning teams to plan and manage group travel in support of WWP events.
• Facilitate continual communication among Travel & Events team and WWP teammates.
• Facilitate communications and overall process with non-program attendees.
• Collaborate with events team and travel specialists to ensure attendees have appropriate information to attend events.
• Train internal staff on travel processes and procedures, including booking travel with online booking tool, guest travel, opportunities for cost savings, and related efficient travel practices.
• Assist with special organizational projects, e.g., serve as coordinator for mission connect program.
• Coordinate with WWP’s travel management company and track monthly reporting of WWP travel expenses.
• Track travel costs for finance and auditing purposes on travel spend for gift-in-kind items, e.g., airline certificates.
• Manage vendor relationships.
• Identify and implement new travel programs and partnerships as appropriate.
• Attend and actively participate in required training and/or meetings, including but not limited to New Teammate Orientation, WWP Cares, ASIST Suicide Prevention training, Leadership training, culture/team based training, or departmental huddles.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A flexible hybrid work schedule (three days in the office, two days’ work from home)
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for both teammates AND family members
• Competitive pay and performance incentives
• A fun, mission-focused, and collaborative team environment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees