Assistant Manager - Travel

JD – Asst Manager Travel – Operations Role Overview The Assistant Manager – Corporate Travel & Visa Operations will oversee end-to-end domestic and international travel management, complex visa compliance, vendor relationship management and emergency traveler support. This role requires a hands-on operations leader who can balance seamless travel execution with strict policy enforcement, cost optimization and vendor performance management. Key Responsibilities Travel Coordination - Oversee and manage complex, multi-city domestic and international itineraries, executive travel and company events. - Drive cost optimization by enforcing corporate travel policy compliance, advance booking windows, and preferred vendor usage. - Manage end-to-end flight, hotel and ground transportation and self-booking tools. - Serve as the primary escalation point for real-time travel disruptions, flight cancellations, emergency re-routings and duty-of-care incidents. Visa Processing - Lead end-to-end global visa processing operations, including US (B1/B2), UK, Schengen, and APAC visas. - Maintain deep expertise in global immigration rules, embassy filing procedures, drop-box eligibility and consulate scheduling platforms. - Audit and review visa application documentation to ensure 100% compliance and zero error rates before embassy submission. - Manage third-party visa facilitators, consulates, and VFS operations to track timelines and expedite urgent applications. Travel Support & Communication - Act as one of the primary points of contact for travel-related queries. - Provide real-time support during disruptions, cancellations or emergencies. - Guide employees on travel policies and best practices. Vendor & Stakeholder Management - Manage relationships with travel management companies (TMCs), airlines, hotels, and visa partners. - Negotiate favourable commercial terms where applicable. - Monitor service levels and escalate performance issues when required. Travel Analytics, Reporting & Excel Expertise - Maintain and reconcile monthly AMEX and vendor payments/invoices. - Build, maintain and analyze monthly corporate travel MIS dashboards, spend reports, and leakage tracking models. - Leverage advanced Excel functions (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, SUMIFS, Data Validation, Power Query) to reconcile complex flight/hotel booking data against card statements. - Identify travel spend trends, booking lead times, policy violation rates, and cost-saving opportunities through structured data analysis. Risk Management - Monitor travel advisories and global risk alerts. - Advise travellers on safety protocols and documentation requirements. - Support duty-of-care responsibilities. Process Improvement - Identify opportunities for automation and cost optimization. - Contribute to continuous improvement of travel operations and user experience. Key Requirements Experience - Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in managing end-to-end corporate travel operations and global visa processing within corporate travel desks or leading Travel Management Companies (TMCs). Mandatory Background - Proven track record working within corporate travel desks, TMCs, corporate card platforms (e.g., Amex Central/VCC), and consular visa operations. Advanced Excel & Analytical Skills - Expertise in MS Excel is required (proficient with XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, conditional formatting, nested logic formulas, data cleaning, and large dataset reconciliations). - Knowledge of Power BI or dashboard creation is a plus. Technical Proficiency - Hands-on experience with Global Distribution Systems (Sabre, Amadeus) and corporate self-booking tools (SBTs). Visa Expertise - Thorough understanding of global visa documentation, US MRV fee workflows, drop-box rules, and consulate interview scheduling. Operational Drive - Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills with high attention to detail. Flexibility - Willingness to support 24x7 rotational operational escalations during emergency travel disruptions or severe weather events. Note: By submitting your application, you consent to being contacted by our Talent Acquisition team via phone call, email, SMS, WhatsApp, or other communication channels regarding your application and relevant career opportunities.