Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Travel Operations Manager

The Travel Operations Manager, reporting to the Travel Manager, collaborates closely with the other members of the travel team to ensure that all travel requests are performed efficiently and within established policies and guidelines. In our fast-paced team environment, the successful candidate will be self-motivated, organized, and take pride in delivering a premium level of service with attention to detail. A well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the travel industry is required. Your expertise will help identify and implement improvements that will get results.

This position will require 3 days/week in the Boston office.

What you will do:

• Manage a small team of corporate travel specialists.
• Share experience and standard processes with travel team members to enhance the quality and efficiency of customer support.
• Arrange all aspects of domestic and international business travel (to include but not limited to air, hotel, car rental) for the Empower organization.
• Manage and assure all travelers are traveling in adherence to the Empower travel policy.
• Trusted advisor to all travelers by providing informed and insightful recommendations which provide the absolute best traveler experience in each situation while adhering to the travel policies.
• Utilize vendor relationships and contracts to ensure all travelers are enrolled in all travel programs with our preferred vendors to optimize their travel experience and create cost-savings for Empower i.e. if Jet Blue Mosaic – receive complimentary baggage check and complimentary seats changes – provide a win-win for the traveler and Empower.
• Resolve clients’ needs and preferences, such as schedules, hotel no show’s/early check out fees.
• Ensure all travelers are aware of all passport and visa requirements for international travel and assist them to secure appropriate documentation.
• Maintain traveler itineraries, including details needed for international travel (e.g., passports or visas)
• Identify required fare and schedule information.
• Calculate total travel costs, while maximizing savings
• Perform root cause analysis when problems arise to develop permanent corrective actions.
• Apply subject matter expertise to suggest regional and global ideas for process improvements.
• Take the lead with resolving debit memos, technical issues, and quality control of reservations.
• Support and assist with T&E credit card programs and credit card reconciliation. Research all discrepancies as needed.
• Enhance and maintain post travel cost summaries.
• Manage the unused ticket report and update all logs and profiles accordingly (manual)
• Manage all airline credits and maximize savings.
• Update and maintain all travelers’ profiles in Concur.
• Collaborate and assist with valuable projects requested by senior management.
• Monitor all GDS ques and act as necessary and assure all ques are completed daily.

What you will bring:

• 10+ years of corporate travel experience required with domestic and international reservations.
• College degree in travel management preferred, or equivalent travel school education.
• SABRE GDS experience required.
• Possess strong technical skills.
• Advanced experience working with all TMC front and back-office automation, to include but not limited to online booking tools (Concur), CVENT, back-office accounting and reporting tools (Ibank/trams/ARC), mid office quality control tools, Megatech, ISOS
• Proficiency in MS Office applications with an emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint
• A team spirit and willingness to always go the extra mile.
• The ability to calm an individual during an unpleasant travel experience and turn a negative situation into a positive one.
• The ability to manage and enforce travel policy, while maximizing savings and assuring a pleasant traveler experience
• Experience in working with group travel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills  

What will set you apart:

• Advanced knowledge of ticketing rules and regulations, complex domestic and international fares, as well as regional and international travel trends
• Positive attitude and a willingness to succeed.
• High energy, innovative and results oriented.
• Self-motivated and resourceful
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships.
• Strong organization skills and ability to prioritize assignments and deadlines under pressure, including attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Supervisory or managerial experience
• Ability to motivate a team.
• Ability to remain calm and positive in stressful situations.
• The ability and insight to know when to bend.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior management.
• Strong negotiating skills

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa currently, including CPT/OPT.***

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) - internal networks that rally around common interest, experiences and identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, ability, military status and sexual orientation. BRGs play a vital role in educating and engaging our people and advancing our business priorities.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

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