Overview
This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global market leader renowned for powering many of the world's most demanding AI data centers, in industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to financial services, autonomous cars, Government, academia, research and manufacturing.
"DDN's A3I solutions are transforming the landscape of AI infrastructure." – IDC
“The real differentiator is DDN. I never hesitate to recommend DDN. DDN is the de facto name for AI Storage in high performance environments” - Marc Hamilton, VP, Solutions Architecture & Engineering | NVIDIA
DDN is the global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale. Our cutting-edge data intelligence platform is designed to accelerate AI workloads, enabling organizations to extract maximum value from their data. With a proven track record of performance, reliability, and scalability, DDN empowers businesses to tackle the most challenging AI and data-intensive workloads with confidence.
Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and a team of passionate professionals who bring their expertise and dedication to every project. This is a chance to make a significant impact at a company that is shaping the future of AI and data management.
Our commitment to innovation, customer success, and market leadership makes this an exciting and rewarding role for a driven professional looking to make a lasting impact in the world of AI and data storage.
Job Description
This is an incredible opportunity to join a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale, helping customers run some of the world’s most demanding AI and data-intensive environments.
As our first Travel Manager, you will design and lead the corporate travel program for DDN. Currently, travel is handled individually by employees; your mission is to support this activity to maximize budget efficiency, ensure traveler safety, and provide a seamless experience for our team. You will be the architect of our Travel Policy and the primary negotiator for our global travel partnerships.
What you’ll do
- Policy Development: Support and maintain the company’s first formal Global Travel Policy. Define "what is reasonable" for flights, hotels, and per diems.
- Vendor Negotiation: Build a "Preferred Vendor" program. You will negotiate corporate rates with airlines, hotel chains, and car rental agencies to ensure we get more value than a standard retail customer.
- T&E System Management: Utilize our Navan program to control and report on bookings.
- Budget Optimization: Analyze travel patterns to find cost-saving opportunities (e.g., "We spend $50k/year in London; let's sign a fixed-rate deal with a hotel near our office").
- Exception Management: Act as the final "approver" for travel requests that fall outside of policy, balancing business needs with fiscal discipline.
- Duty of Care: Establish protocols to locate and support employees during global emergencies or travel disruptions.
- Sustainability Tracking: Track the carbon footprint of company travel and suggest "greener" alternatives like rail over short-haul flights.
What we’re looking for
- Foundational Experience: 3+ years in corporate travel management or a high-level role within the hospitality/airline industry.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to look at a spreadsheet of 1,000 Uber receipts and flight bookings to identify where money is being wasted.
- Diplomacy: The ability to tell a Senior Executive "No" when they want to book a First Class ticket that violates policy, while maintaining a great working relationship.
- Contract Fluency: You know the difference between "Last Room Availability" (LRA) and "Non-Last Room Availability" (NLRA) in hotel contracts.
DDN
DDN has a very strong orientation towards these 4 characteristics and any successful employee will demonstrate these capabilities:
Self-Starter - Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives.
Success/Achievement Orientation - Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is accountable.
Problem Solving - Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful.
Innovative - Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN. Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.
DataDirect Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.