Senior Global Travel and Expense Manager

An overview of this role

The Sr. Global Travel Expense Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of corporate travel for GitLab across the world. The primary goal is to implement and oversee a seamless and cost effective travel program while adhering to company policies and budgetary constraints. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Global Travel Expense Manager to lead our global travel and corporate credit card programs and policies. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the Sr. Travel Expense Manager will oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of travel management company (TMC), negotiating contracts and managing relationships with travel partners, such as airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, and ensuring compliance with our Travel Policy. The Sr. Travel Expense Manager will also oversee the corporate credit card and P-card programs. The Sr. Global Travel Expense Manager should have excellent customer service skills and will collaborate with internal stakeholders and customers to resolve issues, drive cost savings, and promote safety and security.

What you’ll do

• Lead and manage GitLab’'s corporate travel and expense programs and policies, including preferred travel vendors, travel management company, expense management partner, and company credit card program.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the travel program, including working with travel security platform and update and maintain the travel policy and information page in the GitLab Handbook.
• Implement processes and reporting to drive policy compliance.
• Measure and benchmark program performance to identify further opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze data to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Provide timely reporting on KPI’s, spend, savings, and other travel and expense metrics to internal stakeholders including executive leadership.
• Deliver reporting and analysis to support executives and finance teams in managing travel and expense budgets and achieving goals.
• Manage communications and change management related to program enhancements, policy changes, non-compliance, etc.
• Work closely with Expense auditing team to ensure TE auditing and other program support is delivered in line with agreed processes and SLAs.
• Negotiate the most cost effective global/regional/local arrangements with airlines, travel agencies, hotels, car rental companies and corporate cards to ensure the company receives the best possible quality of products and services at the lowest possible cost.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure best-in-class service and competitive pricing.

What you’ll bring

• 5 - 7+ years’ experience as a Global Travel Manager, or relevant Travel industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of industry leading travel and expense systems (e.g. Spotnana, Navan, Brex, AMEX, Concur, Egencia, Expensify, etc.).
• Proficiency in corporate card program trends and best practices.
• Experience with the design and implementation of corporate travel and expense programs.
• Proven track record of achieving travel category savings via sourcing, demand management and / or policy compliance.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to manage and develop supplier relationships.
• Experience working with and servicing a global team.
• Top level customer service and communications skills.
• Strong leadership, project management, and organization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead others while also working independently in a fast-paced work environment.
• Excellent judgment with ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality as it relates to sensitive financial transactions.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

About the team

The Sr. Global Travel Expense Manager will be part of the Procurement team reporting to the Sr. Director of Procurement. The GitLab Procurement team is highly driven towards process and spend efficiencies, influencing and developing strategic category and vendor relationship management. Our goal is to establish customer friendly programs and processes while driving efficient and strategic spend management.

How GitLab will support you

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• All remote, asynchronous work environment
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and development budget
• Parental leave
• Home office support

Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.