Global Operations, Senior Manager

Job Description

The Global Travel Operations, Senior Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the day‑to‑day relationship with the Vertex Travel Management Company (TMC) vendor and the Travel Technology that supports it. This critical role will optimize vendor performance, drive operational efficiencies, monitor adherence to policies, and develop strong program controls to drive behaviors and policy compliance. The role will require significant global cross‑functional collaboration to identify, build, and develop process efficiencies to enable scale and geographic expansion.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced relationship‑building skills, a proven ability to work with Senior Leaders, and navigate complex, high‑pressure situations with professionalism and strategic insight.

• Manage the day‑to‑day operations of the outsourced travel support model, including vendor management of the Travel Management Company (TMC) across all geographic locations, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Act as the vendor manager and internal liaison between internal teams and TMC, ensuring operational performance goals are met and service level agreements are maintained.
• Monitor vendor performance and compliance through strategic data analysis, anticipating potential issues and addressing them proactively; review and propose vendor‑specific process changes and mitigate risk arising from vendors.
• In partnership with the TMC, drive supplier partnership & negotiations, exceptional customer service, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact where possible.
• Monitor traveler compliance with Vertex's Global Travel & Expense policy and proactively review and suggest policy recommendations as the business evolves.
• Proactively anticipate business needs and address them by developing innovative processes and tools to strengthen the program and enhance the customer service experience.
• In partnership with the TMC, refine Concur Travel configuration, establish scalable and centralized processes, and evaluate latest travel regulations, enhancements and capabilities that are fit for purpose globally.
• Maintain comprehensive reporting mechanisms and Power Bi dashboards; identify, analyze, and interpret travel data trends and patterns and prepare ongoing reports and data visualizations to support decision‑making.
• Manage Internal Audit Team requests and address audit observations as needed.
• Design and implement key training materials to support travel operations processes and enhance compliance to policy.
• Manage additional special projects and enterprise‑wide initiatives, supporting the wider Corporate Services Team to drive continuous improvement.
• Travel globally at least 20% of the time.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

• Typically requires 7+ years of experience related to corporate travel, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous project management and vendor management experience required.
• Experience working in a global corporate environment within biotech or a comparable regulated industry.

• Proven experience vendor‑managing a global travel management company, including oversight of an online travel tool (preferably Concur).
• Strong analytical skills including experience with integration of multiple data sources.
• Ability to identify innovative insights that streamline processes and mitigate complexities across multi‑functional, global teams.
• Advanced senior‑leader presentation skills (written, PowerPoint, verbal), using data‑driven insights to address business needs and challenges.
• Champion customer service attitude enabling a highly collaborative environment toward internal and external vendors.
• Capacity to lead and drive change in a developing business environment and coordinate processes involving cross‑functional teams, complex systems, and tight deadlines across multiple time zones.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel and PowerPoint).
• Supplier vendor management experience.
• Ability to navigate and champion company policies and compliance regulations.