Travel Operations Manager Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Position Summary

The Corporate Travel Manager oversees the company's travel and meetings, manages supplier relationships, optimizes travel operations, and ensures exceptional service delivery. This role drives traveler safety, service excellence, policy compliance, supplier performance, cost optimization, and operational efficiency while partnering with procurement, travelers, IT, finance, executive leadership, internal stakeholders, and third-party global travel teams to support business objectives and continuous improvement.

This role is based at Parker's Global Headquarters in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

Scope/Supervision and Interaction

__ Has Direct Reports _X_ Does Not Have Direct Reports

Essential Functions

Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage relationships with air, hotel, car rental, Travel Management Company (TMC), online booking tool, and travel technology suppliers.
• Partner with Corporate Procurement to support sourcing, contract negotiations, supplier performance reviews, and business reviews to ensure competitive pricing, service quality, cost savings, and alignment with corporate objectives.

Travel Operations & Compliance

• Serve as the primary liaison with the TMC for travel operations across North America, South America, Latin America, and APAC, supporting global travel teams as needed.
• Oversee daily travel program operations and ensure compliance with corporate travel policies, preferred supplier usage, approved booking channels, and regulatory requirements.

TMC Travel Team Leadership and Service Delivery

• Plan, organize, and direct travel department activities, programs, and projects delivered through the third-party TMC team.
• Assign and manage workload priorities, service expectations, and performance standards to meet corporate travel needs efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborate with the TMC to support the selection, training, and development of travel consultants, meeting planners, and support personnel, promoting service excellence and continuous improvement.

Budget and Financial Oversight

• Partner with Finance to support travel-related payment needs, including corporate card and expense questions.
• Oversee travel reporting and performance metrics to support continuous improvement.

Process, Technology Improvement & Reporting

• Partner with IT to support travel systems, tools, reporting platforms, and technology-related questions.
• Analyze travel data, program metrics, and supplier performance to identify trends, improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and recommend policy, process, or technology improvements.
• Drive adoption and effective utilization of travel tools among travelers and arrangers.

Risk Management and Duty of Care

• Lead implementation, administration, and maintenance of travel technologies, including online booking tools, reporting platforms, and related systems.
• Partner with security, legal, HR, risk management, and other stakeholders to address travel-related risks and ensure proper escalation and response.

Meetings and Events Support

• Support the corporate meetings and events program by coordinating with TMC, meeting planners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders on sourcing, contracting, budgeting, reporting, and compliance with meeting policies and supplier agreements.
• Assist with corporate meetings, leadership events, customer engagements, and training programs as needed.

Stakeholder Communication and Customer Service Excellence

• Act as the main point of contact for internal customers regarding travel inquiries, issue resolution, education, and program guidance.
• Maintain proactive communication with team members, administrative teams, executive stakeholders, procurement, finance, HR, business units, the TMC, and external suppliers to address needs promptly and promote policy understanding.
• Deliver high-quality customer service that supports team member satisfaction and corporate travel program goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Tourism, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of related experience in corporate travel, meetings, procurement, supplier management, hospitality operations, or a related business field.
• 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including oversight of third-party providers, Travel Management Companies, or managed service teams.
• Strong vendor management, supplier performance management, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with all levels of the organization, including executive leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required; experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical, financial, project management, and organizational skills, including knowledge of budgeting, spend reporting, and cost optimization practices.
• Experience with travel management systems, online booking tools, reporting platforms, and related technology implementation or integration; Concur Travel & Expense or similar platform experience preferred.
• Experience supporting compliance management, including corporate policy adherence and travel program controls.
• Experience supporting executive and VIP travel programs preferred.
• Familiarity with global or multinational travel programs preferred.
• GBTA certification or related professional credential preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.  However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.
("Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor")

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission