Executive Director, Global Travel

This is a Full Time Job

Executive Director, Global Travel

The Executive Director, Global Travel drives results for SPE by serving as a travel category expert across SPE's $60 Million international travel spend and by leading a 30-person global team that provides travel management and services to internal business and high-touch production clients. This role leverages deep experience in the sourcing and ongoing management of key travel subcategories to develop and deliver category and sourcing strategies that contribute to Total Procurement Value Add. Key responsibilities include category strategy development and oversight of travel team initiatives in agency, air, hotel, rental car, ground transportation, corporate card, offsite meetings, and events.

Responsibility

1. Travel Operations and Management
• Manages the activities of the Travel department across Production and Corporate Travel
• Develops, modifies, and executes company travel policies and procedures
• Ensures the accurate compilation, analysis, and reporting of travel data
• Leads internal travel agency personnel, including agents, ARC reporting, accounting, and supervisors
• Acts as primary contact and manages contractual performance of travel agencies and other external suppliers
• Responsible for adherence to cost control and effectiveness in the travel department
• Manages company employees and is responsible for coordinating activities with on-site contractors or outsourced resources providing travel services.
• Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function
• Represents SPE on the One Sony Global Travel Council

2. Travel Management Category Strategy and Oversight
• Develops and implements a travel category strategy and program tailored for key travel sub-categories to deliver contributions to the corporate savings and risk mitigation goals
• Proactively researches industry trends and best practices and implement change as appropriate to drive cost and productivity savings with respect to travel
• Directly manages a team of travel-related stakeholders (including sourcing, category and supplier management team members), effectively leads matrix line reports, and provides cross-organizational coordination and direction with other Sony operating companies
• Provides oversight for travel sourcing events and input on critical, highly complex, or highly strategic travel sourcing events
• Works with Procurement to manage contract administration and supplier relationships across the travel category
• Engages with Procurement to implement supplier relationship and performance management activities for travel category
• Coordinates with Corporate Aviation department to ensure optimization of all travel mediums
• Balances a global mindset with an appreciation for when local solutions are appropriate to meet business objectives, given SPE's global travel requirements
• Ensures coordination and alignment between Travel and the Sourcing organization

3. Metrics and Reporting
• Develops and manages supplier scorecards and supplier management reporting/dashboards
• Measures and continuously improves customer satisfaction
• Measures and continuously improves compliance metrics and performance
• Reports on SPE travel trends, including volumes, patterns, and buying behaviors, and drives program enhancements based on these trends

4. Policies and Procedures
• Develops effective program documents, policies, and procedures
• Proactively enhances and manages the corporate/enterprise-wide travel and expense policy
• Owns and executes traveler training program and process
• Drives internal process changes and technology adoption through identification of re-engineering opportunities to enhance efficiencies; uses strong communication skills to drive change and "sell" the travel program's value proposition
• Ensures compliance with internal control and SOX requirements and recommendations
• Ensures all appropriate documentation and internal control/compliance standards are met (process, templates, tools, contract database, etc.)

5. Key Knowledge and Skills required include:
• Expertise in Travel Management principles and techniques
• Deep knowledge of travel sub-categories (e.g., agency, air, hotel, rental car, ground transportation, corporate card, offsite meeting and events), travel concepts, suppliers, and best practices
• Deep knowledge of entertainment industry, including Production and Publicity travel requirements
• Experience implementing and managing online travel booking tools, corporate credit cards, meeting planning, and corporate aviation
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Project management and organizational skills
• Leadership and strategic thinking
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Influencing skills and persuasiveness
• Customer focus
• Stakeholder management
• Global mindset
• Analytical capabilities
• Issue analysis, solution development, and conflict resolution

Education
, Years of Experience, Specialized Knowledge, or Skills Required:
• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or equivalent experience
• MBA and/or CPM certification a plus
• Senior level corporate experience
• 10+ years of business experience
• 7+ years' experience in Travel Operations and/or Travel Management
• Significant experience in global travel sourcing and category management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

*Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

* Sony Pictures - CA - Culver City Area & Studios