Supervisor, Global Travel

Job Description

The Global Travel Supervisor plays a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day operations of our global travel program, focusing on a seamless experience for our travelers across the corporation. Working closely with the Global Travel Manager this position supports strategic travel initiatives to ensure the program meets the need of travelers today and tomorrow while balancing cost and experience.

This role acts as a key liaison between internal stakeholders, travel service providers, and other corporate functions, contributing to the ongoing optimization of the global travel program.

Note: This role follows a hybrid schedule requiring 3 days a week in the office, and candidates must be local to Chicago, IL.

Job Responsibilities

Global Travel Program Strategy and Priorities

• Work in collaboration with the Global Travel Manager to support McDonald’s regional and global initiatives, new products and process implementations.

Operations

• Support Global Travel Manager to manage day-to-day operations of the global travel program including US and overseas markets. Tasks not limited and will include project support, resolving customer service, and technology issues
• Manage day-to-day travel queries and operational projects and tasks. Support the Global Travel Manager where required and in their absence
• Proactively manage TMC partnerships - specifically daily operations, service levels and adherence to McDonald’s policy and processes.
• Maintain and enhance McDonald’s preferred online booking tool/s, working closely with the tool providers, markets and travel agencies to support and resolve any issues or changes to setup
• Perform system maintenance as needed (new hires, employment terminations, profile questions, etc.)

Problem Solving

• Manage issues and escalations calmly and effectively with problem-solving skills, and creative solutions

Supplier Strategy and Supplier Management

• Understand supplier strategy for the program. Support to manage, maintain and monitor supplier partnerships ensuring agreements maximize economic outcomes, deliver key mutual objectives, value and leverage to McDonald’s.
• Attend and support performance reviews with travel partners.
• Proactively monitor, maintain and execute employer benefit programs
• Management and tracking of unused tickets and UATP cards.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Become a trusted advisor, engage and collaborate with key stakeholders across all departments to understand their requirements, educate and ensure the travel program supports them as needed. Build support and consensus around initiatives and develop action plans to address opportunities.
• Own and engage supplier network adoption to highlight the benefits of the McDonald’s Travel Program and support on boarding.
• New employee training and communication for travel program.
• Lead and operate with authority, ability to act independently internally and externally.
• Be customer focused; employ excellent judgment, discretion and customer service skills, including diplomacy.
• Support in designing and executing impactful communication material to engage travelers on new initiatives, opportunities and updates to drive overall compliance and further awareness of the travel program.
• Support in giving presentations, facilitate meetings, and develop/provide training

Data Analytics

• Support to track and analyze travel program performance, behaviors and create relevant engagement to highlight program value to key stakeholders.
• Support to monitor travel policy compliance and develop strategies to increase compliance.
• Understand travel data and have the ability to independently support requests and/or develop presentations as needed.

Continuous Improvement and Quality Management

• Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset.
• Stay current on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in corporate travel management.
• Support improvement strategies to optimize the performance of the program including and not limited to improvement of controls, cost, efficiency, service, or visibility of information.

Qualifications

Education And Experience
Minimum 8+ years prior corporate experience managing travel globally.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience in developing and managing relationships with travel partners including travel management companies, airlines, hotels and rental car providers.  
• Experience in managing global corporate travel / card services program and in implementing and managing corporate travel policies. 
• Must have broad understanding of general business concepts and disciplines including finance/accounting, corporate card programs, travel management, etc.
• Experience utilizing and understanding travel technology tools i.e. online booking tools, reporting dashboards, re-shopping technology, 3rd party services.
• Strong understanding of the impact of technology for process improvements.
• Experience in developing data-driven strategies to right size or enhance the travel program.
• Ability to draw strategic insights from travel, corporate card and expense data. Analyze to effectively summarize and present insight based on the needs of the audience
• Detail orientated.
• Clear, concise and empathetic verbal and written communication styles. A key attribute will be the ability to work across multiple markets and navigate cultural differences.   
• Ability to manage communications across the corporation from senior leadership to the broad employee population.   
• Ability to manage flexible working hours to accommodate global markets and varied time zones.
• Proven record of being an effective team player dedicated to collective success. The ability to promote cooperation and solve problems in a timely, creative, and professional manner. 
• Proficiency at working closely and collaboratively with multiple departments, leadership and in cross-functional teams globally.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and demands.   
• Proven record of experimentation and openness to feedback, learning from both successes and failures.   
• Ability to successfully prioritize and manage multiple priorities simultaneously and independently. Make sound judgments and decisions independently.
• Demonstrated commitment to the company’s core values, including a commitment to high ethical standards, unquestioned integrity, and a commitment to advancing the company’s diversity & inclusion commitments.  
• Experienced and fluency with Microsoft Office

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $75,700.00 - $94,620.00 per year
 
The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors.