Travel and Expense Manager

Join us and lay the foundation for your success.
** Apply today!
** Groundworks is
** Travel & Expense Manager
** to join our tribe in
** Virginia Beach, VA!
** The Travel & Expense Manager oversees the organization's end-to-end travel and expense (T&E) program. This role ensures efficient, compliant, cost-effective, and employee-friendly management of business travel bookings, expense reporting, reimbursements, corporate card usage, and related vendor relationships. The position combines policy governance, system administration, data analytics, team leadership (when managing processors/analysts), and strategic initiatives to optimize spending, enhance user experience, mitigate risk, and support company growth.

The T&E Manager reports directly to the Sr. Manager of Accounts Payable.
** Duties and Responsibilities
*** Develop, implement, communicate, and regularly update T&E policies and procedures in alignment with company objectives, tax regulations, industry standards, and evolving travel trends.
* Administer and optimize the T&E technology platform (Concur) - including configuration, user training, troubleshooting, upgrades, and integration with finance/HR/payroll systems.
* Oversee the full expense reporting lifecycle: auditing/approving reports for policy compliance and accuracy, processing reimbursements, managing corporate card programs, and ensuring timely month-end close and ledger reconciliation.
* Manage relationships with key vendors and partners (travel management companies/TMCs, airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, booking platforms)—negotiate contracts, monitor performance, and drive preferred supplier utilization to maximize savings and service quality.
* Analyze T&E spend data and trends; prepare regular reports and dashboards on travel patterns, savings achieved, compliance rates, policy violations, and cost-reduction opportunities for leadership and stakeholders.
* Lead compliance and audit efforts: monitor adherence to policy, identify fraud/risk issues, respond to internal/external audits, and implement controls.
* Provide employee and manager support: deliver training sessions, create resources/guides, handle escalations, and promote adoption of self-service tools and policy adherence.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives: identify process efficiencies, evaluate emerging T&E technologies, incorporate sustainability practices (e.g., low-carbon travel options), and align the program with broader finance and ESG goals.
* Ensure duty of care for business travelers (e.g., tracking traveler safety, emergency support coordination, insurance compliance).
** Qualifications
* ** Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
* 5–8+ years of progressive experience in travel management, expense administration, corporate finance, or related fields.
* 3+ years in a managerial or supervisory role overseeing T&E programs (preferred).
* Deep knowledge of corporate travel policies, IRS/accounting regulations, VAT/GST recovery, and global compliance requirements.
* Excellent project management, negotiation, and vendor management abilities.
* Proactive problem-solver with change management experience (especially during system implementations or policy rollouts).
* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills - able to train diverse audiences and influence stakeholders across departments.
* Detail-oriented with high accuracy; comfortable handling confidential financial data.
** Working Conditions
*** Office environment with normal noise levels but may be required to travel to construction and work locations.
** Requirements & Perks
*** Full-time
* Onsite: 1741 Corporate Landing Pkwy Virginia Beach, VA
* Competitive base salary with annual bonus potential
* Employee Ownership/Equity
** What we Provide:
*** Competitive Pay
* Employee Company Ownership Opportunities
* Industry Leading Training Programs
* Leadership Development and Career Growth Tracks
* Comprehensive and Affordable Benefits Package
* Top Workplace with Award Winning Culture We're Groundworks, North America's leading foundation repair and water management specialist. We're more…