Travel Executive

Travel and Business Support

• Support the end-to-end operations of the travel arrangements for the required DAMAC staff & business heads and relevant external stakeholders ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness as per the allocated budgets.
• Supervise the planning of the travel accommodations including the booking of flights, hotels, bus support, and coordinate the allied activities to optimize time slots and costs incurred by the company.
• Manage and keep a track of all travel-related documentation, including payments, itineraries, visas, medical, and legal forms.
• Propose changes, improvements, and development in the travel programs for the employees and relevant external stakeholders in alignment with the company policies and requirements.
• Negotiate contracts or costings for the DAMAC’s staff’s travel plans with the relevant service providers.
• Ensure compliance with various pertinent travel strategies and methodologies in DAMAC’s business interests.
• Assist with the resolution of any travel-related issues that may arise.
• Continuously research the travel deals and evaluate prices & services to achieve DAMAC’s business interests.
• Keep abreast with the knowledge of the latest travel industry pattern and ways to implement them to improve the operations of the department.
• Monitor employee travel reimbursement process inclusive of managing systems and assisting ongoing processing.
• Analyse the reports on travel spending to aid the senior management in taking strategic decisions in the future.
• Follow-up with the internal and relevant external stakeholders for feedback about their experience of the tour and services.
• Monitor existing contracts & supplier performance by developing measurable KPIs and other specified performance indicators.
• Audit travel utilization and prepare monthly reports for submission to management.
• Maintain high level MIS of the entire business travel data.
• Identify gaps, recommend process enhancement and submit regular reports on optimising travel spent.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Maintain strong relations with DAMAC’s allied departments to understand requirements, resolution of discrepancies, etc. if any.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with vendors and agents of direct travel, such as car rentals, hotels, airlines, etc. to ensure urgent arrangements, prompt travel bookings, etc.
• Support the internal and external audit teams with their requirements for the financial reporting of the travel operations for the department.

Team Supervision

• Organise and supervise the work of the assigned team to ensure that all work within a specific area of the activity is carried out in an efficient manner, which is consistent with operating procedures and policy.
• Provide on-the-job training and constructive feedback to the assigned team to support their overall development.
• Promote the organization’s values and ethics in all activities within the team to support the establishment of a value drive culture within the organization.

Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Monitor the financial performance of a given area of activity versus budgets and ensure all activities are carried out in line with the approved guidelines while promptly reporting on any variances to management.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Provide inputs and implement policies, systems, and procedures for the assigned team so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements, are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes, and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement, and cost reduction.

Reporting

• Prepare sectional statements and reports timely and accurately to meet DAMAC and Human Resource department requirements, policies, and quality standards.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Tourism & Travel, Business Management, or equivalent.
• Master's degree in Tourism & Travel/MBA or equivalent is an advantage.

Minimum Experience

Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in a similar role, preferably in the real estate, and hospitality sector including at least 1 year in position of progressively increasing stakeholder management responsibilities.