"MANAGER SPVR – Travel and Expense Programs"

Position Summary:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Manager – Travel and Expense Programs for University Procurement Services within University Finance and Administration. Reporting to the Associate Director – University Travel, Expense, and Card Programs, this position manages all day-to-day operational aspects of the university travel program, including travel systems, expense-related travel tools, travel agency administration, supplier coordination, reporting, policy implementation, traveler support, and supervision of assigned staff supporting travel operations and related services. The role is responsible for maintaining effective service delivery, policy compliance, operational controls, vendor performance, training support, and continuous improvement across a universitywide program serving diverse Rutgers stakeholders.

Key duties:

• Manages all operational aspects of the university travel program, including travel systems and expense-related travel tools, by developing and maintaining travel procedures and administering day-to-day program controls.
• Manages the travel agency relationship and travel supplier relationships by monitoring service performance, auditing operational activity, reviewing service quality, coordinating payment-related matters as applicable, and evaluating internal customer satisfaction.
• Promotes travel policy compliance, traveler safety, and operational consistency across the university.
• Independently researches, investigates, and resolves administrative, technical, policy, and procedural issues affecting the travel program and delivers appropriate resolution.
• Maintains program records and operational information related to travel agency activities.
• Identifies savings opportunities, service enhancements, benchmarking opportunities, and process improvements, and serves as the primary operational contact and escalation resource for travel and booking system matters while supervising assigned staff supporting travel operations.
• Ensures timely reconciliation of travel expenses by running reports, conducting follow-up outreach, and manually reconciling transactions as needed
• Analyzes travel activity, expense reimbursements, supplier utilization, service patterns, and operational trends to identify opportunities for service improvements, savings strategies, benchmarking, and areas requiring operational focus.
• Prepares reporting and operational analysis that support program optimization, supplier discussions, and decision-making within University Procurement Services.
• Supports implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of university expense management tools related to travel activity by working with users to improve understanding of system functionality, addressing operational issues, and recommending enhancements based on user experience and business needs.
• Assists with Auditing expense reports.
• Assists with ongoing efforts to improve system capability, user adoption, and efficiency of the online travel and expense experience.
• Staff Oversight and Operational Support
• Provides work direction, training, and operational oversight for assigned staff supporting travel administration or related functions, ensuring work is completed accurately, timely, and in alignment with program requirements, service expectations, and operational priorities.
• Monitors service levels, supports workflow continuity, and helps maintain consistent operational support across travel-related functions.
• Develops and maintains travel-related communications, website content, guidance materials, and operational support resources that improve user understanding, strengthen compliance, and support effective use of travel systems and procedures.
• Supports training efforts, user communications, and other materials needed to promote consistent administration of the university travel program.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferably in business administration, finance, accounting, procurement, hospitality management, public administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of travel program administration and operational management.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in travel administration, expense management, supplier coordination, procurement operations, customer service operations, or a related business function.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, subject to approval and operational needs.
• A regular on-site presence of at least three (3) days per week is required, with additional on-site days as needed.
• Employees approved for a hybrid work arrangement must reside in NJ, NY, PA or DE and be within a commutable distance of the university.
• May require participation in meetings or training across Rutgers locations.

Categories: Financial, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 271748

Posting Number: 26ST0608