Director, Global Travel

Director, Global Travel - Dublin, Ireland - Office with Flex

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development.

The Global Travel Director will oversee all aspects of global travel management for the organization, ensuring the efficient, cost-effective, and safe movement of our teams, including clinical trial specialists, researchers, and executives. This role requires a strategic leader with experience in travel management, procurement, and logistics on a global scale. The ideal candidate will be adept at navigating the complexities of international travel, compliance with regulatory standards, and the unique challenges of the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition, the Global Travel Director will lead initiatives related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) within the travel program, with a particular focus on reducing the carbon footprint associated with corporate travel. This role will play a crucial part in aligning the organization’s travel strategy with its sustainability goals

What you will be doing:

General:
•    Recognize, exemplify and adhere to ICON's values which center around our commitment to People, Clients and Performance.

•    As a member of staff, the employee is expected to embrace and contribute to our culture of process improvement with a focus on streamlining our processes adding value to our business and meeting client needs. 

Job Responsibilities.

Global Travel Strategy:
•    Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive global travel strategy aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

•    Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced traveller experience while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance.

•    Lead the development of global travel policies and procedures, ensuring consistency across all regions.

Vendor Management:
•    Negotiate and manage contracts with global travel service providers, including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and travel management companies (TMCs).

•    Establish strong relationships with key vendors to ensure service quality and reliability.

•    Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to contract terms and service level agreements (SLAs).

Risk Management and Compliance:
•    Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, including those specific to pharmaceutical trials, such as data protection, patient confidentiality, and ethical standards.

•    Develop and implement risk management strategies related to travel, including health, safety, and security protocols for all travellers.

•    Maintain up-to-date knowledge of global travel advisories, restrictions, and visa requirements, and communicate these effectively to the organization.

Traveler Experience and Support:
•    Develop and maintain a high standard of traveller support, ensuring a seamless experience from booking to return.

•    Implement programs to educate and inform travellers on travel policies, best practices, and safety guidelines.

•    Lead initiatives to improve the overall travel experience, including feedback mechanisms and support channels.

Budget and Financial Oversight:
•    Manage the global travel budget, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals and identifying opportunities for cost control.

•    Provide regular reports and analyses on travel expenditures, trends, and savings opportunities.

•    Oversee the implementation of travel expense management systems and processes.

ESG and Carbon Emissions Management:
•    Lead the development and implementation of sustainable travel initiatives aimed at reducing the organization’s carbon footprint.

•    Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to integrate ESG considerations into travel planning.

•    Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to carbon emissions from travel, and report on progress toward sustainability goals.

•    Promote the use of virtual meeting technologies as an alternative to travel and develop policies to support this transition where feasible.

•    Work closely with the ESG and Corporate Responsibility teams to align travel practices with broader corporate sustainability objectives.

•    Stay informed of global trends and regulations related to sustainable travel and carbon reduction, and ensure the organization remains compliant and proactive in its approach.

Leadership and Team Management:
•    Lead and mentor a global team of travel managers and coordinators, ensuring high performance and professional development.

•    Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the travel team.

•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HR, legal, finance, and operations, to align travel management with broader organizational objectives.
 

Your profile:

•    Bachelor’s degree.
•    Minimum of 10 years of experience in global travel management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a multinational organization.

•    Experience of integrating travel with Corporate Card programs

•    Proven track record in managing large travel budgets, complex logistics, and implementing cost-saving measures.

•    Demonstrated experience in leading ESG initiatives, with a focus on sustainability and carbon footprint reduction in the travel sector.

•    Significant experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

•    Experience in navigating dynamic and rapidly changing environments, with a strong ability to adapt and lead through change.

Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

•    Adaptable and flexible communication styles to effectively transfer key information.

•    Able to organise work to meet deadlines and support team goals.

•    Excellent negotiation and vendor management capabilities.

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What ICON can offer you:
Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.

In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.

Our benefits examples include:

• Various annual leave entitlements
• A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
• Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
• Global Employee Assistance Programme, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.
• Life assurance
• Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, health assessments, among others.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

ICON, including subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here

Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.

Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply