Job Purpose
The Senior Travel Consultant is responsible for the end-to-end management of all VIP travel arrangements for BDO's Partners and Directors, as well as oversight and administration of the Travel Management System (TMS), Travel Management Company (TMC), and associated suppliers. This role ensures seamless travel experiences while driving travel governance, policy compliance, cost optimisation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic supplier management. The incumbent is accountable for maintaining and enhancing the travel policy, managing approval hierarchies, educating stakeholders, and delivering data-driven reporting.
Key Performance Areas and Responsibilities
VIP Travel Management
Plan and coordinate complex domestic and international travel itineraries for Partners and Directors
Provide proactive itinerary management and resolve travel disruptions
Secure preferred seating, upgrades and loyalty benefits
Ensure accuracy of all travel documentation
Ensure cost effectiveness of travel as per travel policy requirements
Be available for emergency travel needs of Partners and Directors
Travel Systems, Policy & Cost Optimisation
Manage the Travel Management System (TMS) including workflows and user adoption
Oversee the Travel Management Company (TMC) performance and service delivery
Maintain and update the BDO Travel Policy
Educate staff on policy compliance and travel processes
Manage approval hierarchies and governance controls
Work with the TMC and procurement to drive cost savings through corporate rates, supplier agreements and loyalty programmes
Work with procurement to lead supplier negotiations to secure favourable rates
Collaborate with stakeholders to optimise travel spend
Analyse travel data and identify cost-saving opportunities
Prepare and present annual EXCO reports on travel spend, savings and trends
Policy Compliance & Cost Management
Ensure adherence to travel policy
Monitor travel spend and identify savings opportunities
Support budgeting and reporting processes
Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement
Maintain relationships with airlines, hotels and suppliers within independence requirements
Engage stakeholders to align travel strategy with business needs
Support contract negotiations and supplier reviews
Travel Risk & Duty of Care
Monitor travel risks and global developments
Ensure compliance with duty-of-care requirements
Support risk mitigation and reporting
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum 10 years' experience in corporate or VIP travel management
Preferable: Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Travel/Tourism or related field
Skills
The Senior Travel Manager must have strong experience managing corporate and VIP travel, with the ability to deliver a high-touch, discreet and responsive service to senior executives and priority travellers. The role requires strong knowledge of travel management systems, traveller profiles, approval workflows, reporting, policy compliance and supplier performance management.
The candidate should demonstrate excellent supplier management skills, including managing travel management companies, airlines, hotels, transfer providers and visa support partners against agreed service levels and commercial terms.
They must be confident in reviewing travel spend, identifying cost efficiencies, resolving escalations and ensuring travel arrangements are delivered accurately, safely and cost-effectively.
Strong communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving and crisis management skills are essential, together with sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to manage confidential traveller information professionally