Travel Program Lead

Early Warning® • Scottsdale, AZ

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Travel Program Lead is responsible for executing strategy and day-to-day administration of the company’s corporate travel & expense program. This role maintains flow between travel and expense processes, ensures travel policies are consistently applied, travel spend is optimized, and employee safety, compliance, and traveler experience are balanced effectively. The Travel Program Lead will manage supplier relationships across air, lodging, ground transportation and catering service providers, oversee the Travel Management Company (TMC), and collaborate with Finance and business user stakeholders to deliver analytics-driven insights to support cost control, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Typically a minimum of 5 years of progressive corporate travel or travel industry experience with a minimum of three (3) years in a Travel Manager/Lead or Travel Program Manager/Lead role.
• Experience managing enterprise travel programs.
• Effective negotiation, contract management and communication skills.
• Experience working with Travel Management Companies (TMCs).
• Familiarity with online booking tools (e.g., Concur, Egencia, Navan).
• Knowledge of traveler duty of care and corporate risk management.
• Background and drug screen.
• Candidates responding to this posting must independently possess the eligibility to work in the United States, for any employer, at the date of hire. This position is ineligible for employment Visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting mid-size to large enterprise travel programs.
• Familiarity with procurement frameworks.
• Experience using travel analytics and reporting tools.
• GBTA or CTIE certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enforce corporate compliance with travel policies.
• Develop regular T&E reporting for presentation to management on compliance and spend.
• Partner with Legal, HR, Security and Risk on duty-of-care initiatives.
• Establish and manage supplier relationships with airlines, hotels, car rental, ground transportation, and catering service providers.
• Lead sourcing events, negotiations, and contract management activities.
• Manage and Oversee the Travel Management Company (TMC).
• Monitor travel spend and identify cost-savings opportunities.
• Collaborate with leadership on preferred supplier programs to maximize value and compliance.
• Track contract performance, rebates, and savings.
• Support travel budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Collaborate with internal security teams on traveler safety and emergency response.
• Ensure suppliers meet safety and insurance requirements.
• Collaborate on reporting for spend, compliance, and supplier performance.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for travel-related issues.
• Deliver training and communication on travel policies and tools.

Benefits

• Healthcare Coverage – Competitive medical (PPO/HDHP), dental, and vision plans as well as company contributions to your Health Savings Account (HSA) or pre-tax savings through flexible spending accounts (FSA) for commuting, health & dependent care expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Featuring a 100% Company Safe Harbor Match on your first 6% deferral immediately upon eligibility.
• Paid Time Off – Flexible Time Off for Exempt (salaried) employees, as well as generous PTO for Non-Exempt (hourly) employees, plus 11 paid company holidays and a paid volunteer day.
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Maven Family Planning – provides support through your Parenting journey including egg freezing, fertility, adoption, surrogacy, pregnancy, postpartum, early pediatrics, and returning to work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level