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Manager - Optimize Travel

McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company

Atlanta, GA, USA · Denver, CO, USA · London, UK · Guatemala
USD 159,200-212,100 / year
Posted on Mar 20, 2025
Apply now
Global Administration

Manager - Optimize Travel

Job ID: 96334
  • Atlanta
  • Denver
  • London
  • Miramar
  • New York City
  • Philadelphia
  • Prague


Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges—the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.

Your Impact

You will be responsible for driving the strategic agenda of Optimize Travel through management of a portfolio of transformation and change initiatives, collaborating with the Optimize Travel leadership and our strategic third parties in setting priorities and delivering initiatives in support of those priorities.
You will be responsible for navigating the overall landscape of initiatives, helping leadership define the near- and long-term priorities and helping the broader Travel and Optimize team translate the initiatives into actionable work plans. This includes setting the annual business plan with our key strategic supplier and working in partnership with that supplier on the delivery against the agreed business plan.
You will also be accountable for ensuring that the travel initiatives are compliant with all Optimize processes.
You will be responsible for convening the Travel leadership and related strategic supplier(s) and teams to ensure the initiatives are delivered on time and co-ordinate any problem solving required to remove challenges.
You will partner closely with our adoption and change management teams to enlist support and drive adoption as part of the delivery of the initiatives.
You will also play a key role in the performance management of our key strategic travel supplier, ensuring that they meet or exceed their commitments to us through the delivery of the prioritized initiatives but also more broadly in meeting or exceeding their service delivery and financial commitments.
You will be an advisor/coach to the Travel leadership and team to accelerate the change program, including capability building, role modeling and implementing new processes.
You will work with the Travel leadership to orchestrate the resources required to deliver on the initiatives, within and outside of the Travel team.
You will be responsible for driving the strategic agenda of Optimize Travel through management of a portfolio of initiatives aligned with Optimize Travel leadership and our strategic third parties.
You will be a key thought partner for Travel and Optimize leadership on the performance and health of the initiatives within the program.

Your Growth

As an Initiative Manager, Optimize Travel, you will be based in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Miramar, London, or Prague as part of our Optimize Travel team.
Optimize Travel is responsible for setting the strategy for – and managing the operations of - McKinsey’s global travel program. Our vision is to bring people together to create positive enduring change in the world. We do this by designing a global and scalable travel program that harnesses innovation to deliver the best value for our Firm while creating positive experiences for our colleagues. We empower colleagues to make informed travel decisions as they focus on delivering impact where it matters most.
You will be part of the McKinsey Optimize function that delivers distinctive, positive and productive experiences through various services ranging from travel, events, real estate, sourcing, technology and purchasing. You will work closely with the leadership of Optimize Travel and other Optimize departments.
In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we will provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you will receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else.
You will have continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
You will have a voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You will make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
You will have a global community with colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, youwill have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
You will have world-class benefits on top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, mental health, and vision coverage for you, your spouse/partner, and children.

Your qualifications and skills

  • 6+ years of corporate and/or professional services experience
  • Skills to communicate complex ideas effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels
  • Advanced change management experience
  • Outstanding negotiation skills
  • Broad business acumen. Knowledge of Firm operations a plus
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent analytical skills, ability to work with large data sets and extract meaningful insights
  • Excellent organization capabilities, including the ability to initiate tasks independently and see them through to completion
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English and local office language(s), with the ability to adjust your style to suit different perspectives and seniority levels
  • Proficient in rational decision making based on data, facts, and logical reasoning
  • Ability to create work product-focused materials / outputs, which may include PowerPoint decks, Excel models, articles, or other written deliverables
  • Exceptional time management to meet your responsibilities in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
  • Ability to work or attend meetings outside of traditional business hours or take on projects with limited or no notice at times


Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues.
Industries
  • Travel, Transport & Logistics
Capabilities
  • Operations
  • Strategy & Corporate Finance
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FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $159,200 - $212,100 USD —to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance.

Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.

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Job Skill Group - N/A
Job Skill Code - IFM - Initiative Manager
Function - Operations;Strategy & Corporate Finance
Industry - Travel, Transport & Logistics
Post to LinkedIn - Yes
Posted to LinkedIn Date - Wed Mar 19 00:00:00 GMT 2025
LinkedIn Posting City - Atlanta
LinkedIn Posting State/Province - Georgia
LinkedIn Posting Country - United States
LinkedIn Job Title - Manager - Optimize Travel
LinkedIn Function - Strategy / Planning
LinkedIn Industry - Leisure, Travel & Tourism
LinkedIn Seniority Level - Mid-Senior level
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