Corporate Travel Program Manager

Job Summary

The Corporate Travel Program Manager is responsible for managing aspects of business travel for our organization, ensuring seamless travel experiences for employees while optimizing costs and maintaining compliance with company policies. This role serves as the primary point of contact for travel-related inquiries and coordinates air, hotel, and rental car agreements. The Corporate Travel Program Manager will analyze travel data to identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements, while also ensuring traveler safety and satisfaction. Additionally, this position requires building strong relationships with travel vendors to negotiate favorable rates and resolve service issues promptly, while continuously optimizing the configuration and utilization of the travel management platform, currently Concur, to enhance the corporate travel program.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Provide oversight and support of all business travel arrangements, including commercial flights, hotels, ground transportation, and meeting facilities, according to company policy and traveler preferences through our travel management applications.

- This role is primarily focused on commercial travel; however, it will also coordinate with the Chief Pilot & Aviation Manager and act as a point person regarding various aspects of company flight processes, liaising with the business units and other operational and administrative staff. Look for opportunities to refine related processes and communications within the flight scheduling software.

- Develop, implement, and maintain corporate travel policies and procedures within the travel management system to ensure cost efficiency and compliance.

- Serve as the primary liaison between employees, Travel Management Company (TMC), and travel vendors to address inquiries and resolve issues related to bookings.

- Research and negotiate preferred rates and service agreements with airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, along with other travel service providers, ensuring these are properly integrated into the travel management system.

- Help book travel for infrequent company travelers and review and reconcile associated company travel card transactions in the expense reporting system, ensure allocation and adherence to company policies.

- Support travelers in resolving discrepancies in travel expense reports by providing guidance on documentation and company policy.

- Monitor industry trends and travel advisories to ensure employee safety and provide timely updates regarding potential travel disruptions.

- Generate and analyze regular reports from the system on travel spending, patterns, and compliance to identify cost-saving opportunities.

- Assist with the coordination of group travel for conferences, meetings, and corporate events, including securing group rates and managing logistics.

- Assist in ensuring accurate and up-to-date traveler profiles and preferences are in travel system(s) to streamline booking processes.

- Provide training and support to employees on travel policies, procedures, and utilization of the travel management system.

- Stay current on international travel requirements, including visas, passports, and health regulations, informing travelers as needed. May assist with booking travel and preparing expense reports for Aviation staff.

- Support miscellaneous Aviation department needs, look for additional ways to contribute to the role, and build out function and other duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies

- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.

- Strong negotiation skills to secure optimal rates and terms with travel vendors.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills founded on clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences - to effectively interact with all levels of employees and external partners.

- Advanced proficiency in travel platforms and expense management systems, including configuration, administration, and reporting capabilities.

- Problem-solving abilities to quickly address travel disruptions and develop alternative arrangements.

- Customer service orientation with a commitment to providing positive travel experiences.

- Analytical skills to interpret travel data and identify trends, patterns, and cost-saving opportunities

- Knowledge of travel industry operations, terminology, and best practices.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive travel information and executive arrangements.

- Time management skills to meet urgent deadlines and respond to last-minute changes.

- Ability to work independently with high professionalism

- Situational adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

- Manages complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

- Instills trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

- Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Required Qualifications

- Strong, demonstrated working knowledge of the various aspects of corporate travel and related processes.

- Minimum of three (3) years of focused experience in the corporate travel industry, as a travel coordinator, or the like, working with a variety of stakeholders and managing many moving parts in a fast-paced environment.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

- Available to support urgent traveler needs after hours and on weekends, as needed (occasional)

- An acceptable pre-employment background and drug test.

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or other related field.

- Experience with travel-related payment options and integration with travel management systems.

- Background in training and supporting end users on travel management platform functionality

- Demonstrated experience with the Concur Travel and Expense management system

- Experience in an aviation environment or with flight-scheduling software is a plus

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

- Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.

- Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.

- Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.

Continental Resources, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities and access for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected by law.