Global Operations - Travel Manager

Job Description

Who We Are

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, trademark licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, and form a brand marketing services division, among other innovations. Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for eight consecutive years, CAA represents more than 2,000 of the world’s top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, social impact, and sports properties for sales and sponsorship opportunities. Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, Nashville, Memphis, Chicago, Miami, London, Munich, Geneva, Stockholm, Shanghai, and Beijing, among other locations globally. 

The Role

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is seeking a Travel Manager to join the CAA Travel team. This individual will be responsible for supporting CAA’s Travel Program in partnership with the international travel lead and supporting all related travel activities. The Travel Manager will be required to partner closely with the various stakeholder teams to understand their unique travel needs and be able to manage the travel tools, services, partners, and resources with a strong customer experience mindset. The Travel Manager will be dedicated to promoting & driving travel adoption domestically, sourcing small group movements as needed, and provide on-going training and support to CAA’s domestic travelers and their assistants. They are fiscally minded and aware of the cost implications of decisions. They actively review and seek opportunities for process improvements and cost savings. The role will report into the Travel Director with alignment to the Global Business Services office.

Responsibilities

• Assist domestic travelers with online travel booking tool implementation, administration, troubleshooting, and training globally
• Provide back-up support to the international travel lead by approving trip proposals, managing out-of-policy travel requests, and handling accounting/T&E questions for travelers
• Maintain local & regional relationships with CAA preferred suppliers and actively pursue savings and cost reduction opportunities
• Be the subject matter expert with regard to CAA’s T&E policies and partner with travel leadership to discern what constitutes a reasonable out-of-policy travel request
• Partner with Travel leadership to establish efficient workflows to achieve and maintain operational excellence
• Assist with the monitoring of non-refundable ticket and credits inventory to ensure all tickets on file are exchanged in a timely manner
• Document all Travel Department savings from various sources (TripActions, vendors, non-refundable reuse, agent-assisted bookings, and meetings and events)
• Manage travel related to small meetings and events; must have strong knowledge of hotel room block, contract cancellation, and attrition clauses, as well as basic legal protections for CAA
• Document all meetings and events booked within the Travel Department or outside, while creating and maintaining an annual calendar to better manage future booking needs
• Maintain notes for all travel meetings
• Assist travel leadership with approving and monitoring all vendor-related funds and document any perks or offerings given to CAA travelers as soft savings
• Partner with travel leadership and CAA Security on duty of care, reporting (ad-hoc or ongoing)
• Assist travel leadership with all travel and vendor-related meetings, events (Travel Fair), and overall vendor relations

Requirements

• 5+ years of corporate travel experience at a global company, preferably entertainment/production and high-touch travel program experience required
• Ability to work well under pressure; meet tight deadlines; manage multiple projects and expectations; and maintain a sharp focus while managing competing priorities
• Attention to detail, strong organization, and problem-solving skills are a must
• Experience in handling hotel group contracts that include knowledge of cancellation and attrition clauses and basic corporate legal protections
• Strong knowledge of online book tools and the ability to do website administration
• Ability to show technical expertise in all related categories, as well as regional markets
• Strong leadership skills and confidence to manage the department in the absence of a manager
• Must have the ability to review and comprehend travel reporting
• Able to function effectively as part of a loosely coupled but highly aligned team
• Flexible, with the ability to pivot and adjust to the needs of the department
• Excels in internal customer service
• Able to anticipate potential problems and know when to ask for assistance and escalate issues when needed
• Aware that the world of travel is not a 9-to-5 job, and be prepared to do what it takes to complete tasks and get the job done
• Creative and out-of-the-box thinking is required, as well as a “yes” attitude for our employees and clients

Location

• This role is based in our Los Angeles office.

Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is in the range of $111,000 - $145,000. This position is also eligible for benefits and a discretionary bonus. Ultimately, the salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, business sector, and geographic location, among other criteria. Please talk with a CAA Recruiter to learn more.

Creative Artists Agency, LLC (the “Company”) is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis of race (inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, gender or sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family and medical care leave status, military or veteran status, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, an employee’s or their dependent’s reproductive health decision making (e.g., the decision to use or access a particular drug, device or medical service), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The absence of a permanent address is not a bar to employment. The Company does not discriminate against individuals based on housing status, including the absence of a fixed address.The Company also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws with regard to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

CAA does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless they were contractually engaged by CAA to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any such employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the acknowledgement and agreement that CAA will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.