Travel Operations Lead

## About the Role The Travel Operations Lead plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient and safe travel of Openai's executives and employees worldwide. As a key member of the Procurement organization, this position reports to the Head of Travel & Expense and collaborates closely with various stakeholders, including Procurement Operations, Accounting, Finance, and business partners. The primary objective is to develop and implement a scalable travel operations model that incorporates AI-enabled workflows, ensuring seamless executive travel support and core employee travel operations.

The Travel Operations Lead will be responsible for managing high-touch executive travel support, including complex commercial travel globally, and overseeing travel agency and supplier performance. This role also entails owning the executive travel policy and partnering with Executive Business Partners to ensure travelers receive timely, high-quality support.

As Openai continues to grow and expand its global presence, the Travel Operations Lead will be instrumental in building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, identifying areas for process improvements, and leveraging AI-driven solutions to optimize travel operations.

## What You Will Do - Manage high-touch executive travel support, including complex commercial travel globally - Oversee travel agency and supplier performance, ensuring high-quality support and services - Own and develop the executive travel policy, aligning it with the company's overall travel strategy - Partner with Executive Business Partners to ensure seamless travel support and resolve any issues promptly - Collaborate with Procurement Operations, Accounting, Finance, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective communication - Develop and implement AI-enabled workflows to optimize travel operations and reduce manual effort - Analyze travel data and identify areas for improvement, recommending changes to policies, procedures, and systems as needed - Manage core employee travel operations, including TMC support and on-the-road escalation management - Own executive travel reporting for tax and compliance purposes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness - Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts and ensuring high-quality services

## What We Are Looking For - 7+ years of experience in travel, executive operations, expense, corporate cards, sourcing, finance operations, or a related T&E role - High AI fluency, with demonstrated ability to use AI tools to improve work efficiency and reduce manual effort - Strong understanding of the travel industry, including disruptions, destination risk, traveler context, supplier performance, and policy design - Ability to improve operational processes through better data, automation, workflow design, and exception-based ways of working - Strong systems understanding, with the ability to comprehend data flows across procurement, travel, finance, tax, card, and reporting platforms - High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership for data accuracy, completeness, confidentiality, and consistency - Ability to identify patterns in operational issues and translate them into better processes, standards, controls, and system improvements - Practical judgment around AI adoption, including where automation can accelerate work and where human review matters

## Nice to Have - Experience with travel management systems and AI-driven travel tools - Knowledge of finance, accounting, and tax principles, particularly as they relate to travel and expense management - Certification in travel management or a related field, such as CTC or GTP

## Benefits and Perks - Competitive salary and benefits package - Opportunity to work with a pioneer in AI technology - Hybrid work model with 3 days in the office per week - Relocation assistance for new hires - Access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies - Professional development opportunities, including training and education programs - Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs - Generous PTO and paid holidays - Remote work stipend and equipment allowance

- Tip: Develop a strong understanding of AI-driven travel tools and systems to stand out in the application process.

• Tip: Highlight your experience in managing complex travel programs and optimizing travel operations through data analysis and process improvements.
• Tip: Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including executive teams, business partners, and suppliers.
• Tip: Be prepared to discuss your approach to AI adoption and how you have leveraged AI tools to improve work efficiency and reduce manual effort in previous roles.
• Tip: Research Openai's company culture and values to demonstrate your alignment with the organization's mission and vision.
• Tip: Prepare examples of how you have identified and addressed operational issues, and how you have developed and implemented solutions to improve travel operations.
• Tip: Be prepared to discuss your experience with travel management systems, AI-driven travel tools, and other relevant technologies.