Senior Manager, Travel & Expense Management
About Astellas:
At Astellas we can offer an inspiring place to work and a chance to make your mark in doing good for others.
Our expertise, science and technology make us a pharma company. Our open and progressive culture is what makes us Astellas. It’s a culture of doing good for others and contributing to a sustainable society.
Delivering meaningful differences for patients is our driving force. We all have a significant opportunity to make that difference, working locally in the areas we know best, whilst drawing inspiration from the different insights and expertise we have access to globally and from our innovative, external partners.
Our global vision for Patient Centricity is to support the development of innovative health solutions through a deep understanding of the patient experience. At Astellas, Patient Centricity isn’t a buzzword - it’s a guiding principle for action. We believe all staff have a role to play in creating a patient-centric culture and integrating an awareness of the patient into our everyday working practices, regardless of our role, team or division.
Our ethos is underpinned by the Astellas Way, comprising five core values: patient focus; ownership; results; openness and integrity.
We are proud to offer an inclusive and respectful working environment that fosters collaboration and ownership.
Our aspiration is to bring the best brains together, to provide them with world-leading tools and resources and a unique structure that fosters real agility and entrepreneurial spirit.
About this role
As the Senior Manager of Travel & Expense Management, you will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and roadmap for the travel and expense function on a global scale. Your role involves driving enhancements and ensuring compliance with all T&E processes across GBS. This encompasses the establishment of globally standardized T&E processes, both regionally and globally. You will be tasked with developing, monitoring, and managing the travel and expense reporting/support functions. Additionally, you will oversee the management and development of staff, cultivate key relationships with end users and external vendors, ensure J-Sox compliance, and spearhead efforts to enhance departmental efficiencies and automation.
Hybrid working:
At Astellas we recognise that our employees enjoy having balance between their professional and home lives. We are proud of our hybrid approach which empowers you to have flexibility on whether to work from home or in the office.
In this role, you will:
- Develop and manage global travel and expense reimbursement programs, policies, and methodologies to ensure adherence worldwide, including resolution and enforcement of policy-related circumstances.
- Serve as the subject matter expert in T&E global processes, driving the implementation of technology for continuous improvement.
- Oversee the corporate credit card program, including policy development, card issuance, and management of relationships with external providers.
- Direct external business relations with key stakeholders such as credit card providers, airlines, and travel management companies, ensuring adherence to contractual metrics.
- Research, propose, and implement new T&E programs, oversee development of related intranet sites, and act as the primary liaison with external stakeholders globally.
Essential Knowledge & Experience:
- Extensive experience with significant supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of overall accounting operations.
- Strong PC skills with required proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong verbal, written and negotiation skills.
- High degree of professionalism - able to interact verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization and with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. suppliers). Strong negotiation skills.
Preferred Experience:
- GLP Certification – Global Leadership Professional (emphasis in Corporate Travel Management).
- Certified Corporate Travel Executive Certification (CCTE).
- Prior experience with SAP and Concur Expense applications.
- Membership/participation in association(s) focused on T&E.
- Prior experience with SAP and Concur applications.
Required qualification:
- BA/BS required, preferably in Business or Information Systems or equivalent.
Additional information:
- This is a permanent, full-time position.
- Position is based in the United Kingdom.
- This position follows our hybrid working model. Role requires a blend of home and a minimum of 2-3 days per week in our office. Flexibility may be required in line with business needs. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance of the office.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.