T&E Events Lead
WFA Digital Insight
The shift to remote work has amplified the need for skilled professionals in travel and expense management. With demand for digital event specialists growing by 25% in the past year, Openai's T&E Events Lead role stands out as a unique opportunity. As a key player in the procurement organization, this position requires a strategic leader who can balance process standardization with cost optimization. Candidates should be well-versed in corporate events, travel sourcing, and compliance. Before applying, consider how your skills align with Openai's hybrid work model and global operations.
Job Description
About the Role
The T&E Events Lead at Openai is a pivotal role that oversees the company's global events strategy, operations, and compliance. This position reports to the Head of Travel & Expense and collaborates closely with various stakeholders, including Procurement Operations, Accounting, Finance, and business leaders. The successful candidate will act as a strategic leader and hands-on executor, supporting events teams across the organization and driving process standardization and cost optimization.As a key part of the procurement function, this role is responsible for owning and scaling the company's global events strategy, ensuring tight controls and scalability across travel, expense, events, and card programs. The T&E Events Lead will align with event owners around the company, set the process roadmap, lead platform deployment and lifecycle management, manage key partners and stakeholders, and drive process standardization and cost optimization.
Openai's hybrid work model, which includes 3 days of in-office work per week, offers a unique opportunity for professionals to balance remote and in-person collaboration. The company's commitment to relocation assistance for new employees further emphasizes its dedication to attracting top talent.
What You Will Do
- Own the global T&E event strategy and operations, acting as a strategic leader and hands-on executor
- Align with event owners around the company and set the process roadmap for the company's Procurement & T&E processes
- Lead platform deployment and lifecycle management
- Manage key partners and stakeholders
- Drive process standardization and cost optimization
- Partner with Events teams, Executive Business Partners, department leaders, and cross-functional teams to align event programs with business needs and compliance requirements
- Optimize supplier strategy and ongoing event operations
- Create and standardize event policy and controls across all organizations and managers
- Drive global standardization and operational scalability
- Ensure SOX-compliant T&E & Procurement policies across all events
- Lead and enhance the full T&E event process design and governance
- Integrate T&E policy, budgeting/forecasting, travel, and card programs into a cohesive workflow for holistic event programs management
- Ensure high data accuracy and reliable integrations across ERP, analytics, travel, tax, payroll, and related downstream systems
- Own the global events category strategy and supplier base, leading sourcing, RFPs/RFQs, negotiations, contracting support, and vendor selection
What We Are Looking For
- Strategic leader with deep experience in corporate events and T&E operations
- Proven experience in Strategic Meeting Management Programs (SMMP), corporate travel and expense management, travel sourcing, and/or travel consulting
- Hands-on expertise in designing, standardizing, and automating processes across T&E, including policy management, systems integration, and controls alignment
- Experience leading global T&E events strategy, including policy development, venue/room block sourcing, and platform management
- Strong controls mindset aligned to SOX, with experience driving audit readiness and partnering cross-functionally across Compliance, Legal, Privacy, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Nice to Have
- Experience with event management software such as Planned or Cvent
- Knowledge of travel and expense management systems
- Certification in a related field, such as CMP or CMM
- Experience working in a hybrid or fully remote work environment
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a leading AI technology company
- Hybrid work model with 3 days of in-office work per week
- Relocation assistance for new employees
- Professional development opportunities
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Highlight your experience in corporate events and T&E operations, and be prepared to provide specific examples of process standardization and cost optimization.
- To stand out, emphasize your ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution, and demonstrate your knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements.
- When applying, make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific requirements of the role, and be prepared to discuss your experience with event management software and travel and expense management systems.
- Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your work in T&E events strategy and operations, and be prepared to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and communication.
- During the interview process, be prepared to discuss your experience with SOX compliance and audit readiness, and demonstrate your ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
- Research Openai's company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and goals.
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