Travel Procurement Category Specialist

As part of Global Spend Management (GSM), the Travel Procurement Category Specialist will ensure alignment with Aon's global procurement objectives, maintain supplier relationships, optimize spend, and drive innovation to ensure the success of travel services with emphasis on the Americas, collaborating with the global travel team and cross-functional categories.

This position will manage regional relationships and serve as the subject matter expert for travel-related programs. Success involves the strategic orchestration of a complex supplier ecosystem to deliver optimal results for Aon and its colleague travel experience.

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

• Develop and implement data-driven travel category strategies that will result in increased traveler satisfaction, cost savings, policy compliance, and process efficiencies
• Knowledge of current trends and emerging global travel industry's business ecosystem, operations, technology, and service delivery platforms (i.e., online booking tools, data, consolidation partners, NDC, etc.)
• Manage regional supplier relationships with travel partners, such as agencies, airlines, hotels, and car service companies
• Act as point of escalation for travel champions, bookers when required providing responsiveness to the business in addressing queries
• Support in the TMC relationship and work closely with the global team to ensure that the commercial value is realized and SLA's tracked for the Americas
• Lead traveler engagement and forums promoting policy compliance
• Assist in monitoring compliance and development of new policies and procedures
• Independently apply procurement or subject matter expertise to determine methods and procedures on assignments, ability to think creatively and adapt approach when necessary, including gaining acceptance on alternatives.
• Contribute to our global category strategies and work across multiple category teams and link opportunities across regions and categories when appropriate.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

• Bachelor's degree and ideally at least 2+ years of procurement or related travel sourcing experience.
• Analytical, quantitative and presentation skills with a proven ability to gather and synthesize complex data, identify meaningful trends, and translate insights into actions.
• Proficiency with data analysis and communication tools (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint) is essential
• Prior travel operations, expense reporting, corporate card, or online booking tool support experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills in a cross-functional, cross-cultural and fast-paced environment
• Proficient in core procurement areas of focus (e.g., Category Management, Business Engagement and Supplier Management)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage an inclusive workforce. Plus, our agile, inclusive environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two "Global Wellbeing Days" each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions, but we also recognize that flexibility goes beyond just the place of work... and we are all for it. We call this Smart Working!

Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.

Aon values an innovative and inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Aon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital, domestic partner status, or other legally protected status. People with criminal histories are encouraged to apply.

We welcome applications from all and provide individuals with disabilities with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application, interview process and to perform essential job functions once onboard. If you would like to learn more about the reasonable accommodations we provide, email ReasonableAccommodations@Aon.com

For positions in San Francisco and Los Angeles, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction record in accordance with local Fair Chance ordinances.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Pay Transparency Laws:

The salary range for this position (intended for U.S. applicants) is $65,000 - $70,000 annually. The actual salary will vary based on applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location.

The salary range reflected is based on a primary work location of Chicago, Illinois. The actual salary may vary for applicants in a different geographic location.

Aon offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and regular part-time colleagues, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; an employee stock purchase plan; consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon's discretion; medical, dental and vision insurance, various types of leaves of absence, paid time off, including 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year, 15 days of paid vacation per year, paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts, employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; optional personal insurance policies, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.

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