Lead - Travel Helpdesk || Chennai

Role & responsibilities

Travel Helpdesk & Flight Booking

• Manage end-to-end domestic and international travel arrangements, including flight bookings and ticketing.
• Process travel requests received through GDS and ensure accurate and timely ticket issuance.
• Develop and optimize travel itineraries based on business schedules, cost efficiency, and corporate travel policies.
• Coordinate with travel agencies, airlines, and internal stakeholders to resolve booking issues, changes, cancellations, and other travel-related queries.
• Liaise with stakeholders to understand travel requirements and provide optimal routing and cost-effective travel options.
• Maintain accurate travel documentation and ensure compliance with corporate travel guidelines.
• Manage and reconcile corporate travel cards used for flight bookings.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure timely processing and payment of travel vendor invoices.

2. Travel Resources & Contract Management

• Maintain and administer corporate travel resources, including preferred airline, hotel, ground transportation, travel agency, and GDS programs.
• Manage and maintain travel vendor contracts, ensuring competitive pricing, service quality, and compliance with agreed terms.
• Track contract terms, renewals, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to prevent service disruptions.
• Evaluate preferred vendor partnerships and identify opportunities for cost savings and improved traveler experience.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance teams on vendor selection, negotiations, and contract renewals.
• Monitor vendor performance and resolve service issues, billing discrepancies, and contract-related concerns.
• Maintain centralized documentation for travel policies, vendor agreements, negotiated rates, and related resources.
• Prepare reports and provide insights on travel spend, contract utilization, vendor performance, and savings opportunities.

3. Travel Systems, Resources & Vendor Management

• Manage key Travel & Expense (T&E) resources, platforms, and tools.
• Oversee relationships and coordination with airline partners and travel service providers.
• Manage preferred agreements and bookings with ground transportation providers.
• Support hotel sourcing and contracting activities, including Hotel RFP programs.
• Administer corporate travel payment solutions and support related reconciliation activities.
• Ensure travel systems and vendors are aligned with corporate travel policies, negotiated rates, and compliance standards.
• Act as a key point of contact for troubleshooting travel system issues and resolving vendor-related concerns.
• Monitor usage, performance, and adoption of travel tools to improve operational efficiency and optimize costs.

Preferred candidate profile

• Bachelors degree in any discipline.
• 10+ years of overall experience, with 6+ years of relevant experience in corporate travel / travel operations.
• Strong hands-on experience in GDS ticketing and flight reservations.
• Experience managing domestic and international travel operations.
• Experience in travel vendor management, contracts, travel cards, and reconciliation.
• Strong understanding of corporate travel policies, processes, and compliance.
• Experience working with Travel & Expense (T&E) systems and travel management platforms is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with Finance, Procurement, HR, IT, and Business tea

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