The University of Sheffield
Business Travel Manager
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Overview
This exciting and influential new role will lead on developing and implementing a long-term travel strategy for the university. The responsibilities of this role will span the University, drawing together multiple agendas and policies inclusive of both student and staff travel. They will be responsible for formulating and introducing consistent practices for travel bookings, overseeing travel-related risks, and aligning University travel requirements with the University’s sustainability strategy for both international and domestic travel.
Initially, they will work with the Head of Insurance and Business Travel to develop a travel strategy for the university, exploring all options best suited to address the University’s challenges in this area. This may include the appraisal of preferred suppliers and commercial partnerships, ensuring value for money for the University. They will work with ITS colleagues to develop a systems and processes roadmap to improve the current state of process workflows and information reporting.
This role will be key in shaping how the University coordinates its business travel both domestically and overseas going forward. Total spend on travel across the University is over £8m, over 60% of which is incurred on research projects, and over £2m on air fares alone. The postholder will need to be a strong communicator who can influence and implement proposals in a demanding environment. The role will require strong stakeholder engagement, managing relationships with key internal colleagues and external suppliers.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Manage the International Working and the Travel & Related Expenses Policies, including future developments / changes to policy.
- Develop and maintain training for line managers and academic line managers, identifying any additional training needs associated with policy/process.
- Lead on developing and implementing a long-term travel strategy for the university.
- Develop reporting systems and/or dashboards for monitoring relevant travel data.
- Provide support to senior faculty staff in the implementation of policies, including ownership, development, and compliance with the travel request/approval and booking processes and management of data (note, travel bookings themselves are not part of this role).
- Co-ordinate the key internal stakeholder relationships relevant to business travel, such as Tax, Expenses, HR, procurement, Insurance, IT and data, Compliance, Health and Safety, and Export.
- Responsible for webpage content and communications associated with business travel.
- Work with Procurement to develop the most beneficial route to market for travel-related contracts, ensuring value for money and to manage ownership of current third-party Travel Management relationships.
- Take a lead role alongside our Carbon Data Manager on sustainability issues and carbon data reporting associated with business travel, supporting cultural change in relation to travel as the University works towards net zero targets with specific focus on scope 3 emissions.
- Along with the Head of Insurance & Business Travel, be the primary point of contact for travel-related emergencies or incidents - notifying the relevant authority, faculty, and HR teams.
- Provide Policy support on complex International Working cases & high-risk travel.
- Contribute to the direction of the UEB Sustainability Sub-Group in relation to business travel.
- Work with Financial Assurance colleagues on the outcomes from regular policy compliance reviews.
- Support the Head of Insurance & Business Travel with regular reporting, detailing travel spend, sustainability data, policy compliance issues, and other related matters.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
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Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognizes the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
- Experience working in a senior business travel, procurement, or global mobility-related role in a complex organization.
- Higher Education experience is not necessary but would be an advantage.
- Experience of developing and implementing functional strategies within a complex environment.
- Ability to influence, communicate, and collaborate effectively across all levels, including delivering training.
- Experience of owning, developing, and embedding processes, data reporting structures, and working with systems teams.
- Good understanding of operational procurement relating to business travel.
- Good understanding of risk management, safety, and compliance, tax risks, and/or sustainability issues relating to business travel.
- Excellent customer service skills, with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to queries and an enquiring approach that supports the improvement of existing processes and operations.
- Excellent management, planning, and organizational skills.
- Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts, both within an organization and externally.
- Degree educated with additional professional qualifications in a relevant discipline - eg CIPS, ACA.
Further Information
- Grade: 8
- Salary: £48,822 - £58,225 per annum pro-rata with the potential to progress to £65,509 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution
- Work arrangement: Full-time
- Duration: Open-ended
- Line manager: Head of Insurance & Business Travel
- Direct reports: None
- Our website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/finance
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
For informal enquiries about this job, contact Joanne Rollitt, Insurance Manager: on j.rollitt@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 2170.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place Friday 6th November. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the 2nd November. If you need any support, equipment, or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact m.potts@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out, and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support, and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s, and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies:
- Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- Support for those going through the menopause
- Paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- And more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job, you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date: 25/10/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches, and insights, it can lead to richer, more creative, and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognizes and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs, and ways of living for everyone.
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