Assistant Manager - Travel

Role Overview

The Assistant Manager – Corporate Travel & Visa Operations will oversee end-to-end domestic and international travel management, complex visa compliance, vendor relationship management and emergency traveler support. This role requires a hands-on operations leader who can balance seamless travel execution with strict policy enforcement, cost optimization and vendor performance management.

Key Responsibilities

Travel Coordination

• Oversee and manage complex, multi-city domestic and international itineraries, executive travel and company events.
• Drive cost optimization by enforcing corporate travel policy compliance, advance booking windows, and preferred vendor usage.
• Manage end-to-end flight, hotel and ground transportation and self-booking tools.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for real-time travel disruptions, flight cancellations, emergency re-routings and duty-of-care incidents.

Visa Processing

• Lead end-to-end global visa processing operations, including US (B1/B2), UK, Schengen, and APAC visas.
• Maintain deep expertise in global immigration rules, embassy filing procedures, drop-box eligibility and consulate scheduling platforms.
• Audit and review visa application documentation to ensure 100% compliance and zero error rates before embassy submission.
• Manage third-party visa facilitators, consulates, and VFS operations to track timelines and expedite urgent applications.

Travel Support & Communication

• Act as one of the primary points of contact for travel-related queries.
• Provide real-time support during disruptions, cancellations or emergencies.
• Guide employees on travel policies and best practices.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with travel management companies (TMCs), airlines, hotels, and visa partners.
• Negotiate favourable commercial terms where applicable.
• Monitor service levels and escalate performance issues when required.

Travel Analytics, Reporting & Excel Expertise

• Maintain and reconcile monthly AMEX and vendor payments/invoices.
• Build, maintain and analyze monthly corporate travel MIS dashboards, spend reports, and leakage tracking models.
• Leverage advanced Excel functions (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, SUMIFS, Data Validation, Power Query) to reconcile complex flight/hotel booking data against card statements.
• Identify travel spend trends, booking lead times, policy violation rates, and cost-saving opportunities through structured data analysis.

Risk Management

• Monitor travel advisories and global risk alerts.
• Advise travellers on safety protocols and documentation requirements.
• Support duty-of-care responsibilities.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for automation and cost optimization.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of travel operations and user experience.

Key Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in managing end-to-end corporate travel operations and global visa processing within corporate travel desks or leading Travel Management Companies (TMCs).

Mandatory Background

• Proven track record working within corporate travel desks, TMCs, corporate card platforms (e.g., Amex Central/VCC), and consular visa operations.

Advanced Excel & Analytical Skills

• Expertise in MS Excel is required (proficient with XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, conditional formatting, nested logic formulas, data cleaning, and large dataset reconciliations).
• Knowledge of Power BI or dashboard creation is a plus.

Technical Proficiency

• Hands-on experience with Global Distribution Systems (Sabre, Amadeus) and corporate self-booking tools (SBTs).

Visa Expertise

• Thorough understanding of global visa documentation, US MRV fee workflows, drop-box rules, and consulate interview scheduling.

Operational Drive

• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills with high attention to detail.

Flexibility

• Willingness to support 24x7 rotational operational escalations during emergency travel disruptions or severe weather events.