Travel & Expenses Manager

Description

This is an incredible opportunity to join a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high\-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global leader in AI and multi\-cloud data management at scale, helping customers run some of the world’s most demanding AI and data\-intensive environments. As our first **Travel Manager**, you will design and lead the corporate travel program for DDN. Currently, travel is handled individually by employees; your mission is to support this activity to maximize budget efficiency, ensure traveler safety, and provide a seamless experience for our team. You will be the architect of our Travel Policy and the primary negotiator for our global travel partnerships. **What you’ll do** ------------------ * **Policy Development:** Support and maintain the company’s first formal **Global Travel Policy**. Define "what is reasonable" for flights, hotels, and per diems. * **Vendor Negotiation:** Build a "Preferred Vendor" program. You will negotiate corporate rates with airlines, hotel chains, and car rental agencies to ensure we get more value than a standard retail customer. * **T\&E System Management:** Utilize our Navan program to control and report on bookings. * **Budget Optimization:** Analyze travel patterns to find cost\-saving opportunities (e.g., "We spend $50k/year in London; let's sign a fixed\-rate deal with a hotel near our office"). * **Exception Management:** Act as the final "approver" for travel requests that fall outside of policy, balancing business needs with fiscal discipline. * **Duty of Care:** Establish protocols to locate and support employees during global emergencies or travel disruptions. * **Sustainability Tracking:** Track the carbon footprint of company travel and suggest "greener" alternatives like rail over short\-haul flights. **What we’re looking for** -------------------------- * **Foundational Experience:** 3\+ years in corporate travel management or a high\-level role within the hospitality/airline industry. * **Analytical Skills:** Ability to look at a spreadsheet of 1,000 Uber receipts and flight bookings to identify where money is being wasted. * **Diplomacy:** The ability to tell a Senior Executive "No" when they want to book a First Class ticket that violates policy, while maintaining a great working relationship. * **Contract Fluency:** You know the difference between "Last Room Availability" (LRA) and "Non\-Last Room Availability" (NLRA) in hotel contracts.