Senior Travel Consultant (JHB Illovo) at BDO South Africa

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