Manager Travel & Expense (Hybrid-Seattle, WA)

About the role

We are looking for a Manager, Travel & Expense (T&E) to elevate our corporate travel and expense programs through smart strategy, strong supplier partnerships, and a customer-first approach.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with business unit leaders and cross-functional partners to develop and maintain workforce analytics, building a bridge between systems and ensuring a clear view of our headcount, labor costs, vacancy rates, and organizational structures.
• Lead a team of three and own Nordstrom’s corporate travel and expense programs, including preferred suppliers, the TMC, the expense platform, and corporate card programs.
• Drive process improvements that simplify travel and expense, increase efficiency, and improve service quality.
• Continuously evolve the program to improve cost effectiveness, unlock savings opportunities, and enhance employee satisfaction—staying current on travel, expense, and meetings industry trends and best practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for travel program needs; partner with business leaders and executive travelers to communicate policy updates, resolve issues, and support supplier financial reconciliation.
• Build and deliver annual category strategies for travel, expense, and offsite meeting/event spend; partner with stakeholders to develop a 1–5 year sourcing roadmap.
• Use competitive sourcing approaches to optimize savings and business value; negotiate contracts and commercial terms directly with suppliers in partnership with the sourcing team.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, including the TMC and other key travel category partners.
• Maintain contract management activities, including amendments, renewals/expiration tracking, and maintenance of supporting documentation.
• Conduct regular spend analysis to identify trends and opportunities by category, subcategory, business unit, and geography.
• Leverage internal and external resources to stay current on relevant industry and travel category trends.
• Deliver reporting on travel expenses, booking patterns, and compliance metrics; translate insights into cost savings and improved processes.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and drive engagement for travel, expense reimbursement, corporate credit card, and offsite meeting and event policies.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in corporate travel management and/or travel procurement.
• 5+ years’ experience with Global Travel and/or Meetings & Events management.
• 5+ years’ experience with Supplier Management.
• 5+ years’ experience with Analysis and reporting.
• 5+ years managing outside service providers.
• 5+ years people management.
• Proven track record of achieving travel category savings via sourcing, demand management and / or policy compliance.
• Experience with the design and implementation of corporate travel programs or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and operationalizing global category strategies for airfare, hotels, rental car or ride share programs or other relevant travel categories.
• Proficiency in analyzing travel data to identify cost-saving opportunities and trends.
• Proficiency in travel and expense-related systems (e.g. Concur).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in corporate travel management and/or travel procurement.
• 5+ years’ experience with Global Travel and/or Meetings & Events management.
• 5+ years’ experience with Supplier Management.
• 5+ years’ experience with Analysis and reporting.
• 5+ years managing outside service providers.
• 5+ years people management.
• Proven track record of achieving travel category savings via sourcing, demand management and / or policy compliance.
• Experience with the design and implementation of corporate travel programs or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and operationalizing global category strategies for airfare, hotels, rental car or ride share programs or other relevant travel categories.
• Proficiency in analyzing travel data to identify cost-saving opportunities and trends.
• Proficiency in travel and expense-related systems (e.g. Concur).

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of travel and expense management software.

Benefits

We’ve got you covered… Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:

• Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources

This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Learn more in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: Nordstrom Benefits Overview.