Project Manager-Travel Operations

Project Manager-Travel Operations

The Project Manager, Travel Operations is responsible for leading and delivering travel-related projects across Aspire Lifestyles—from project definition through implementation—while managing relationships with customers, clients, and external vendors.

This role ensures seamless coordination between internal teams, travel partners, technology vendors, and clients to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with business goals.

The Project Manager serves as a key connection point between Service Delivery, Engineering, Digital, Product, vendor partners, and customers, ensuring clear communication and coordinated execution.

Key Responsibilities 

Project Planning & Delivery

•    Lead end-to-end project management for travel initiatives, including planning, scheduling, execution, resource coordination, and risk management.

•    Develop project documentation: requirements, project plans, user stories, status updates, and communication plans.

•    Track progress using modern project management tools and methodologies.

•    Manage scope, schedule, and budget changes using formal change control processes.

Vendor & Partner Management

•    Serve as day-to-day project contact for travel vendors, technology partners, and integration partners.

•    Coordinate with external vendors during onboarding, contract execution, API/integration work, and service launches.

•    Ensure vendor deliverables, SLAs, timelines, and technical requirements are met.

•    Participate in vendor evaluations, RFP processes, pricing discussions, and performance reviews.

•    Partner with the Group Product Director, Travel to support vendor negotiations and strategic partnership development.

Customer & Client Engagement

•    Act as the project liaison for clients, managing expectations and ensuring alignment throughout all project phases.

•    Lead client-facing communications including requirements gathering, solution walkthroughs, readiness updates, and issue resolution.

•    Ensure customer needs are translated into functional and technical project requirements.

•    Manage client onboarding, service rollout, training coordination, and post-launch support.

•    Work closely with Service Delivery to address customer experience needs and operational challenges

Technical & Integration Projects

•    Partner with Engineering and Digital teams on API integrations, platform enhancements, booking tools, and system upgrades.

•    Translate business needs into technical specifications, test plans, and acceptance criteria.

•    Coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT), defect tracking, and production deployment activities.

Operational & Business Support

•    Collaborate with operational leaders to improve processes, workflows, SLAs, and service efficiency.

•    Support product enhancements and travel program updates.

•    Use data analytics to support pricing, vendor performance, booking patterns, and customer behavior insights.

•    Provide project support to Training and QA teams during new service rollouts.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies 

Project Management Expertise

•    Strong proficiency with project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Monday.com, or similar.

•    Ability to build dashboards, track KPIs, manage dependencies, and produce clear stakeholder reports.

•    Experience with Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid PM environments.

Vendor & Client Management

•    Excellent vendor management skills, including onboarding, performance tracking, contract deliverables, and SLA oversight.

•    Ability to manage client expectations, facilitate meetings, and communicate project status clearly.

•    Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.

Operational, Analytical & Technical Skills

•    Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to handle multiple projects at once.

•    Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret operational and financial data.

•    Ability to understand technical requirements, system integrations, and travel booking platforms.

Communication & Leadership

•    Strong written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

•    Ability to lead cross-functional teams without formal authority.

•    Comfortable collaborating in a multicultural, global matrix environment.

Travel Industry Expertise

•    Knowledge of Global Distribution Systems (Sabre, TravelPort, Amadeus).

•    Familiarity with TMC operations, preferred travel partners, booking tools, and luxury travel services.

•    Experience with B2B or B2B2C travel technology is a strong plus.

Work Experience & Qualifications

•    5+ years of project management experience, ideally in travel, hospitality, or technology.

•    Experience managing vendors and external partners.

•    Experience leading client-facing projects with enterprise or premium clients.

•    Hands-on experience using PM technologies such as Jira, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or similar.

•    5+ years of travel industry experience preferred (TMC, travel agency, travel tech, operations, product, or partner management).

•    PMP Certification

•    Bachelor degree required; MBA or Master’s Degree is a plus

Language Requirements 

•    Ability to communicate in English (verbally and written) in a polished and professional manner is required. 

Travel, Schedule & Availability 

•    This position is a travel position. 
 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements 

•    Must have a dedicated, quiet, and private workspace free from distractions.

•    Ability to sit and remain at a desk for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day) while operating a computer and telephone headset.

•    Reliable high-speed uninterrupted internet connection meeting minimum company standards.

•    Ability to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.

•    Clear, polished and professional verbal & written communication and active listening skills to effectively interact with clients and team members.

•    May occasionally require walking, standing, or light lifting (up to 10 pounds) of equipment such as a laptop or office supplies.

This job description outlines the types of responsibilities the incumbent is required to perform.
The incumbent may be required to perform job related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description. This job description is subject to regular review.