Travel Manager

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Visa Global Sourcing 

Global Sourcing is part of the Finance organization and manages Visa’s end-to-end sourcing and sourcing of goods and services. Sourcing is responsible for partnering with business owners relevant to assigned categories such as Meetings & Events (M&E) and others to lead all strategic sourcing activities globally to ensure optimal selection of suppliers that deliver best value in price and quality, while minimizing risk to Visa.

Overview:

Reporting to the Sourcing,  Americas Regional Travel Manager, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s regional operations for executives, ensuring that all travel arrangements are efficient, cost-effective and compliant with corporate policies. This role involves managing relationships with  key regional internal stakeholders -  including executives, executive admins, and internal organizations such as Visa Mobility, Controllership, HR and Security. The Americas Regional Travel Manager will be responsible for working with the Visa-designated travel agency and on-line booking tools. The Regional Travel Manager will be required to support a team of Visa VIP Travel Agents who support the travel booking requirements of North America SVPs and their executive Admins. The Americas Regional Travel Manager will also be responsible for selecting and negotiating Visa rates at hotels in the region.

 Essential Functions

This is mid-level role within Visa’s Global Sourcing organization and the responsibilities to ensure a high-service level cost-effective travel delivery service within the Americas region. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following

 Relationship Building

• This role supports several Visa executive leaders globally
• Build strong relationships with business partners to drive Sourcing engagements and influence role of Sourcing within the various business teams.  This person can expect direct visibility to senior executives including, but not limited to, Visa’s SVP, and Leadership Team members.
• Regularly update executives at all levels of the company on deal status, category reporting, etc.  Provide continuous written and verbal updates to the business partners, suppliers and other stakeholders on the status of deal.
• Take a global view to ensure that Visa leverages its scale domestically and internationally.

 Category Expertise

• Support a pipeline of category initiatives and opportunities (Savings / Supplier Productivity / Risk Management / Innovation) using external supply market / business intelligence, application of benchmarking methodologies and internal business partner knowledge.
• Contribute to creating a global sourcing activities for M&E with knowledge in Meetings sub-categories (Meeting Agencies, Experiential, AV, Production, Exhibits etc.) with emphasis on supporting business priorities.
• Develop category spend analysis (e.g. Data mining of Sourcing & Financial Systems, output analysis & interpretation), supporting market intelligence in the category area and acting as the focal point for category subject matter expertise for extended teams
• Run structured competitive bidding events with suppliers including spot buys, RFQs, reverse auctions and RFPs if & where necessary
• Analyze results of competitive bidding events and make recommendations considering assurance of supply, quality, service, cost and innovation
• Negotiate, create, execute and manage effective contracts with suppliers (where required) that will allow Visa Inc to manage risk and maximize opportunity globally.
• Be a trusted partner to Visa business partners to support strategy development, endorse sourcing recommended strategies

• Deliver sourcing services to the business including RFx execution, negotiations, contracting reviews and other sourcing-related activities.
• Develop and drive a pipeline of projects and proactively engages Stakeholder Business Partners
• Maintain an understanding of the regulatory market as it impacts Visa strategies and market approach. 
• This role will have global reach, high impact, and will be responsible for delivery of key program-level initiatives.  The preferred candidate will bring an deep passion for (M&E) industry, leading practices and must have a can-do attitude. 

 Sourcing Capabilities - Commercial & Contract Negotiations

• Manage escalations. Support the Sourcing and Stakeholder teams to negotiate and drive best-in-class deals for Visa.  This role requires a strategic view and the willingness to execute on the day-to-day.
• Drive multi-vendor strategies to optimize Visa’s leverage and reduce operational risk. Execute RFx events to support Visa’s Sourcing organization.
• Ensure all sourcing systems & documents are kept up to date including savings performance, latest contracts, shared documents on team sites etc.
• Define best contract structures for MSAs and SOW terms including negotiating best contract terms and conditions as a first line of defense, in partnership with Visa Legal, Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, and other teams.
• Take part in quarterly reporting, regularly recurring team meetings, and ongoing updates to direct reports, peers and leaders around the organization. 

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in the office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Basic Qualifications

5 or more years of relevant work experience with a bachelor’s degree or at least 2 years of work experience with an Advanced degree e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD or 0 years of work experience with a PhD



Preferred Qualifications

• 6 or more years of work experience with a bachelor’s degree or 4 or more years of relevant experience with an Advanced Degree e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD or up to 3 years of relevant experience with a PhD

• Demonstrated desire to excel in M&E category & sub-category including the ability to converse with, and influence, key stakeholders & or executives on supplier strategy, financial modelling & negotiating with suppliers.

• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills and an ability to synthesize complex and technical information into clear recommendations on course of action.

• Demonstrated professional services category negotiation experience with data driven analysis

• Passion to deliver outstanding customer service, forge lasting relationships, and approach goals with team interests in mind.

• Demonstrated ability to manage vendor relationships and influence key vendor account executives.

• High level of self motivation and initiative, and ability to operate as a team player.

• Willingness to offer thought leadership, to think Positively, and to offer new ways of approaching old problems.

• Undergraduate degree required.

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 113,700 to 165,100 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.