Manager, Travel Operations

Job Description

Job Title: Manager, Travel Operations

Department: Basketball Operations

Reports to: Chief of Staff, Basketball Operations

Manages: South Bay Lakers Travel Manager

Position Summary: The primary responsibility of the Manager, Travel Operations is to ensure players and team staff have a seamless travel experience while on the road. This position handles all aspects of team travel and hospitality, including flights, hotels, ground transportation, team meals, and per diem for the preseason, regular season, and postseason. Additionally, the Manager, Travel Operations arranges other basketball operations travel such as travel for pre-draft workouts, free agent workouts, and Summer League. This role travels with the team and serves as a liaison to the NBA for basketball-related travel items.

Essential Functions (Duties & Responsibilities):

TEAM TRAVEL
• Set season itineraries and flight schedules with GM, Head Coach, and Sports Performance staff once season schedules are released; finalize flights with airline
• Draft and manage flight manifest for each road trip
• Work with Legal to negotiate and execute hotel contracts
• Serve as main point of contact between the team and hotel; manage room and space assignments
• Schedule and coordinate team buses and other ground transportation needs; confirm drivers and serve as main point of contact between drivers and team
• Work with Team Dietician and Chefs to plan meals on the road; submit menus to hotels, charter flights, and arena vendors/caterers; ensure meal set up is as planned
• Submit per diem requests and returns for each trip through Accounting
OTHER
• Arrange other basketball operations travel, such as travel for pre-draft and free agent workouts
• Serve as NBA Travel Coordinator contact
• Reconcile travel related invoices and corporate card statements
• Assist in facilitating relocation for players and coaches, when needed
• Support South Bay Lakers Travel Manager with G League travel, as needed
• From time-to-time, handle individual travel requests for new hires, corporate, and security needs
• Be available to assist in travel needs that arise last minute

Education (Required/ preferred): Bachelor's degree preferred

Previous experience:
• A minimum of three (3) years working as a travel coordinator, executive assistant, or travel agent
• Experience working with NBA teams or collegiate basketball teams, or experience in sports and entertainment with high-profile clients, celebrities, VIPs, and/or professional athletes preferred

Technology Capabilities:
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams)

Knowledge, skills, abilities:
• Extreme attention to detail, must be thorough and highly organized
• Ability to think critically, prioritize, and multi-task under the pressure of deadlines
• Reliable, accessible, responsive, and flexible team player, both within department and across the organization
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and cultivate professional relationships
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to act with the utmost discretion and professionalism, must have uncompromised ability to protect confidentiality/privacy of others

Location: El Segundo (offices M-F), on the road with the team, and occasional off-site events

Travel: Available to travel with team to preseason, regular season, and postseason away games, as well as California Classic and Summer League; occasional other travel required
Hours: Regular office hours (9am- 5:30pm M-F), plus overtime may be required; must be available to work evenings, weekends and holidays

The pay range for this role is $70,000 to $110,000 annually. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience and certifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

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Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d53771-18-116-170-100-42 in your application.