Assistant Manager, Travel Services

Assistant Manager, Travel Services

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Karachi

Department: Travel Services

Introduction:

Chartered in 1983, it is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan University (AKU) provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

The Aga Khan University (AKU) seeks to assign an Assistant Manager – Travel Services within the Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Division. The position is responsible for managing and overseeing Travel Services operations to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and policy-compliant travel arrangements for faculty, staff, and students across AKU and AKUH, in line with AKU policies and AKDN standards.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee day-to-day Travel Services operations, including air ticketing, hotel bookings, ground transportation, and visa-related support.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of travel requests in compliance with AKU travel policies and AKDN requirements.
• Negotiate and manage rates with airlines, travel agents, hotels, and transport service providers to achieve cost optimization.
• Monitor and evaluate vendor performance through periodic reviews and appraisals.
• Supervise, guide, and evaluate the performance of Travel Services Associates.
• Prepare periodic management reports covering travel expenditure, trends, cost savings, and vendor performance.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to resolve travel-related issues and ensure service satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and support continuous enhancement of travel services.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Tourism, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or an equivalent qualification.
• IATA certification or relevant travel management certification will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in travel coordination or management, preferably in a corporate or institutional setting.
• At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and vendor management skills.
• Proficiency in travel booking systems and online platforms.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Sound understanding of institutional travel policies, compliance requirements, and cost-control practices.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted