Global Travel Program Associate Manager, Hotels, Cards & M&E

Job Title - Global Travel Program Associate Manager, Hotels, Cards & M&E

Location - Bangalore

ABOUT UNILEVER:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.

Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.

ABOUT UNIOPS:

Unilever Operations (UniOps) is the global technology and operations engine of Unilever offering business services, technology, and enterprise solutions. UniOps serves over 190 locations and through a network of specialized service lines and partners delivers insights and innovations, user experiences and end-to-end seamless delivery making Unilever Purpose Led and Future Fit.

Role Description

Unilever Operations (UniOps) is part of Unilever’s ‘run’ and ‘power’ organisation, responsible for serving our markets and divisions with future-fit business operations to power purpose-led growth. UniOps’ aim is to globally connect our business operations to enable the delivery of scaled benefit from process excellence, digital enablement, strategic sourcing partnerships and future-fit capabilities. UniOps will achieve this through its three-pillar model of Platforms, Experiences and Market Operations. Market Operations is UniOps in-market organisation which will manage day-to-day operations, enable the deployment of Experience solutions, and ensure market centricity from design to deployment.

A key component of our Workplace Experience and Operation Organisation is to deliver the best-in-class experiences to our employees. For our organisation, People Experience is the sum of everything we touch, every day. From pre-hire to retire, we want to create a positive, holistic People Experience for all Unilever people. We can maximise all the interactions an individual has with Unilever over the long-term to create a deep sense of belonging and co-create high performance and stronger business growth.

Unilever’s Global Business travel program covers over 80+ Markets globally under Unilever GBS coverage. It is a one Unified travel program that covers the scope of TMC, Online Booking Tool, Payment Cards, Meeting & Events, Ground Transportation, Digital Travel Technology, Duty of Care etc. The key role purpose is to run & deliver an efficient Hotel/Air/Payment card/Meeting and Events program.

The role requires an initiative-taker that can drive and collaborate effectively with wider travel team to drive Unilever Business travel program objective. Drive and accommodate the travel strategies to create an inclusive experience with focus on ability to drive performance and deliver day to day operations & transformation, while balancing sensitivities and local nuances.

Success of this role will also be dependent on building understanding of local agendas and approaches to drive delivery of global programme and strategy which aligned with the Unilever vision, values, and goals.

This role works closely with global and in market teams, procurement, suppliers, group security & MOH technology, HR, and business stakeholders to identify, shape & run day 2-day travel operations along with continuous improvement by implementing best in class strategies. The responsibilities cover strategy, operating framework and give recommendations for improvements; balancing costs and overall employee experience is key. 

The role reports into “Regional Travel Manager EMEA and ASPAC” and work in collaboration with Global Travel Manager who is responsible for Global Business Travel Program of Unilever.

• This role will provide operational leadership in improving and stabilizing the travel program.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, business partners, other Subject Matter Experts (SME’s), Vendor, Finance, Group Security, IT, Procurement, HR etc. to create coherent business cases and delivery of savings objectives in workplace.

• Develop tailored and relevant presentation content and supporting information to engage a wide range of stakeholders. Leverage information to enrol support, approval, and effective project progression.

• Responsible for designing and leading the strategies related to Hotel & Meetings RFPs.

• Execute and monitor the Hotel & Meetings program to leverage maximum outcomes and unlock values for the organization.

• End to End ownership of Payment card program, which includes design, execute and manage day 2-day operations of the global BTA/M&E card program for ease of payments and unlock rebates.

• Collaborate with wider teams to simplify & standardize the supplementary programs & continuous process improvement.

• Plan, manage and maintain effective stakeholder management/governance with the wider travel team and local workplace services.

• Conduct regular assessment to evaluate the current state of program with supplier, Unilever stakeholders.

• Increase awareness and reinforce compliance to the Travel & Entertainment / Meeting & Events Policy to achieve cost savings and an efficient travel program.

• Ensures the implementation of global and local initiatives is undertake consistently and effectively in all sites and countries.

• Ensures an effective change management and communications plan are in place to ensure the delivery of local and global changes.

• Manage strategic transformation projects and on-going initiatives to ensure successful delivery and value creation in alignment with business objectives.

• Actively partner with the Finance team to build an effective and efficient local payment process in-line with county regulations for smooth payment of TMC invoices and Lodge cards.

• Champion a culture of high engagement, learning, trust, and well-being, globally networked to nurture team members and business outcomes. Serve as leader and liaison among the community to build connections and solve problems.

• Stay up to date with industry best practices, research, and trend related to global business travel program.

• Deliver best in class user experience through future fit technologies and process simplification.

• Identify priorities across the region and drives focus and action around those activities.

• Identify and coordinate implementation of automation and operational excellence opportunities.

• Expand the scope of operations by expanding travel programs to new countries.

• Facilitate policy configuration and constantly look for technology improvements in travel programs.

• Coordinate with data and analytics team to design dashboards to create visibility and help drive travel-related decisions.

• Develop operational reporting metrics to consistently measure and report effectiveness of the services with focus on employee’s experience, quality, responsiveness, and other KPIs.

• Preparing and presenting Global travel reports for senior management

• Lead relationship management with partners, such as travel agencies, airlines, hotel chains, and car rental agencies.

• Negotiates contracts and agreements and ensures compliance with internal or external purchasing requirements.

• Develop and deliver training to employees covering appropriate corporate card use, required expense documentation, or travel management.

• Maintaining positive relationships with vendors of direct travel, such as hotels, Events and Card providers.

• Conduct an annual review of T&E policies & Meeting Events policy and amend them where applicable and necessary.

• Develop the vision for strategic policies and programs for corporate global travel.

• Identify and raise risks that may impact business outcomes.

• Strong Program leadership, vision-setting, communication, influencing, collaboration skills

• High degree of business expertise and proven team-building and cross-functional leadership Managing and processing all travel-related documentation, including payments, itineraries, visas, medical, and legal forms.

• Assisting with any travel-related issues that may arise.

• Ensure compliance with all aspects of travel procedures and policies.

• Drive continuous improvement of travel program.

Required Skills and Experience

• Future-Fit Priority People Experience Skills:  Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Lean Operations, Emotional Intelligence, Change Management, Resilience, Design for Experience, Data Driven Decision Making

• Standards of Leadership: Purpose & Service, Business Acumen, Financial Acumen, Passion for High-Performance, Consumer Love, Agility

• Proven experience as a corporate travel manager

• Experience with management of card programs.

• Demonstrated experience in T&E reporting and processing.

• Ability to thrive while working on multiple complex projects with critical path deadlines in a challenging environment.

• Ability to take responsibility for and adhere to fundamental defined activities within the Travel policy and processes.

• Excellent communication (oral and written)

• Excellent negotiation skills

• An analytical mind with strong business acumen

• Customer oriented approach

• Training in travel and tourism is a plus.

• Willingness to provide and receive mentorship.

• Oversees complex issues and problems and refers only the most complex issues to higher-level staff.

• Performs work under minimal supervision.

• Vision on ‘best employee travel Experience’ and ability to translate into transformation projects.

• Relevant Operational Travel industry knowledge

• Strong customer service & stakeholder management skills

• Have strong collaborative skills and ability to partner with key internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives and compliance with local and global policies.

• Ability to anticipate needs and solve problems proactively.

• Experience in leading and implementing projects and process improvements.

• Broad understanding of HR, Finance, supplier onboarding systems, processes, and third-party providers.

• Proven experience in implementing new and/or changes to processes, tools, and ways of working.

• Understanding of automation and system integrations

• Experience of TMC Operations, Online Booking Tools, Internal collaboration channels (Microsoft Team, Viva Insights, Sharepoint)

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!

Note: "All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent—please verify before proceeding."