Travel Manager (12 Month Fixed Term Contract - Maternity Cover)

At the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and rising star George Russell.

The Team has set a new benchmark for Formula One success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Travel Manager to join our team, on a 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover), starting in April 2023. This role will be based on site in Brackley.

The role

Our Travel Manager is responsible for developing the travel intent and ensuring the delivery of the intent by leading and developing the travel team, and ensuring provision of the best-in-class service within efficient use of the resources available. The Travel Team customers include team members of Mercedes Grand Prix and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, Daimler executives, Daimler Motorsports personnel, race drivers and their physios.

Staff Leadership:

• Coach, motivate and mentor the team and be the flag bearer for the drive to be the best.

• Develop the team to ensure maximum performance and retention from each member.

• Constantly review the staffing levels to identify areas for efficiency gains and early warning of peak workload periods (supporting as required during any such peaks).

• Be the external face of the travel team – promote the team publicly and actively improve the reputation of the team internally and externally.

Strategic Planning:

• Set the vision for the travel team to aspire a continued drive for excellence.

• Establish & maintain the travel strategy.

• Seek strategic partnerships and long term contracts with key suppliers i.e. Marriott and PETRONAS.

• Identify innovations in travel arrangements to continuously improve the experience for travelling team members.

Financial Management:

• Manage TRV cost centre and approvals.

• Manage the team reward points and assure their best use

• Seek ways of improving efficiencies, promote new ideas and implement them.

Travel Services:

• Ensure all travel arrangements for MGP (inc MGP Board members) are accurate, efficient and benchmark quality.

• Provide travel services to HPP, DAG (incl. DAG Board members), race drivers, sponsors and contractors as required.

• Manage the team chauffeur.

• Create and update the team’s Travel Policy to be effective and efficient to our requirements and operate within this policy.

• Ensure that all associated lists (incl. Core Race Team, Business Class travellers, etc.) are updated and approved in line with the Travel Policy at least annually.

• Manage the supply network of providers (incl. hotels, airlines, car hire companies, charter providers, travel agencies) to ensure best quality service and pricing.

• Lead the interface between travel and our customers (using forums such as the Travel Steering Group).

• Influence key stakeholders in order to improve travel operations and cost effectiveness.

• Ensure that the travel team effectively manage the administration tasks including passport renewals, international driving licence renewals, visa applications, inoculations, etc.

What we are looking for

• Ability to lead the strategic vision by managing and coach a team to achieve these goals.

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise.

• Ability to manage expectations and communicate with a large group of internal customers from across the business.

• Commercial awareness and efficiently managing a budget.

• Can operation in a fast paced and quick changing environment.

• Demonstrates the ability to challenge constructively, solve problems and find efficient and effective solutions.

• Can work well under pressure, whilst maintaining a high quality of service and meeting agreed SLA’s and deadlines.

• Self motivated and has a willingness to be flexible when required.

• Microsoft office experience and experience of working with an ERP system (preferably SAP). 

What we offer

At the heart of our performance are our people. Every member of our team has a voice and plays their part in contributing to our successes on and off the racetrack.

We take pride in creating an innovative, collaborative and high-performance culture where all of our team members are respected, empowered and valued.

Through our Accelerate 25 programme, we are continuously working to make our team even more diverse and inclusive. We welcome applications from all and are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the most talented individuals.

Our riverside campus is powered by 100% renewably sourced energy and features an on-site gym and exercise studio, subsidised restaurant and on-site parking with EV chargers available.

We offer a competitive and attractive package of benefits including a generous bonus scheme, Mercedes car lease scheme, private medical cover, life assurance and 25 days holiday. We pride ourselves on our family-friendly environment, employee well-being programme and offer flexible working opportunities. 

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