Job Summary: The Associate Director, Travel Operations plays a critical role in enabling reliable, high‑quality championship travel (air, ground & lodging) execution across NCAA programs. This position partners closely with travel vendors, internal stakeholders, and leadership to strengthen operational performance, service consistency, and risk mitigation across all championship travel activities.
The role focuses on improving end‑to‑end travel outcomes through strong vendor partnerships, disciplined operational practices, and the effective use of tools and information to support decision‑making. By enhancing visibility, consistency, and accountability across travel operations, the Associate Director helps elevate the student‑athlete experience while protecting operational continuity and financial stewardship.
Job Responsibilities
Championship Travel Operations & Performance
- Support championship decision‑making by tracking key issues, risks, and outcomes and ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
- Monitor vendor performance against service expectations and recommend improvements to strengthen reliability, traveler experience, and value.
Operational Effectiveness & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain clear, practical documentation of championship travel processes and escalation paths to support consistent execution.
- Identify opportunities to simplify workflows, clarify ownership, and reduce friction across stakeholders.
- Coordinate intake and prioritization of operational enhancements to ensure efforts are aligned with championship needs and available capacity.
- Support ongoing initiatives that enhance the student‑athlete and championship experience through improved travel operations.
Technology & Tools Enablement
- Partner with internal teams and travel vendors to optimize the use of existing travel systems and tools in support of efficient operations.
- Evaluate potential enhancements to tools and processes that improve visibility, responsiveness, and traveler experience.
- Support automation and system improvements that reduce manual effort and improve consistency across championship travel activities.
- Maintain standardized templates and playbooks to support repeatable execution without adding unnecessary complexity.
Risk, Policy & Financial Awareness
- Partner with travel leadership and FP&A to understand travel trends, cost drivers, and operational risk factors.
- Track airline and vendor performance trends, including disruption drivers and service impacts.
- Support budget forecasting and planning by identifying operational risks, policy considerations, and emerging travel dynamics.
- Assist with audits and compliance reviews to ensure appropriate controls are maintained.
- Contribute to risk mitigation strategies related to travel disruptions and championship logistics.
Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required. Preferred background in business operations, technology-enabled services, or complex program execution.
- 3-5 years of experience within a fast-paced environment driven by process improvements, data and analytics required, 5+ years preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
- Preferred experience working with travel management companies, airline carriers, or large event travel programs.
- Strong operational judgment and ability to make timely decisions in high‑pressure environments.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage complex situations with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail, follow‑through, and task ownership.
- Proficiency with travel systems, TMC platforms, and Microsoft Office tools; familiarity with travel data and reporting platforms preferred.
- Ability to be on call during peak championship travel periods.
- Estimated travel: up to 20%, with seasonality tied to championships.
- This position will be based out of the national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current work environment is hybrid; 2 days in the office and 3 days are remote.
Key Competencies
- Effective Communication | Can exchange ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is understood with clarity and purpose.
- Accountability | Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
- Resourcefulness | The ability to creatively cope with difficult situations, or unusual problems. It is about problem-solving and getting things done in the face of obstacles and constraints.
- Drive for Results | Can be counted on to consistently accomplish work effectively and efficiently, is very bottom-line oriented, steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
- Problem Solving | Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
Core Values
- LEADERSHIP | We actively listen and continually strive to provide vital solutions, counsel and advocacy for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics.
- INCLUSION | We seek and incorporate different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and impact.
- COMMUNICATION | We commit to an environment of openness to build trust and make timely decisions.
- COLLABORATION | We work together, based on mutual respect, to lead and serve our stakeholders.
- ACCOUNTABILITY | We take ownership for our actions and results to add value every day.