Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.   

Are you ready to take the next step in your career by managing Travel & Expense operations across the Americas?

The role leads Travel & Expense operational activities for Americas market, ensuring day-to-day stability and service delivery in line with defined SLAs. It oversees key programs including U.S. Corporate Cards, Car & Driver, global expense auditing, and Tier 2 support, while also supporting global analytics, system configuration, and audit activities. The position drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance, user experience, and operational efficiency, and is accountable for monitoring T&E KPIs and acting on performance trends as needed.

This position is an M1 level 

What will you be doing? 

• Lead Global T&E Tactical Operations

Provide day-to-day operational leadership across regional T&E activities, ensuring stability, consistency, and adherence to defined ways of working and SLAs.

• Supervise and Support T&E Functional Roles

Provide guidance, oversight, and support to T&E operational roles (including Corporate Card, Car & Driver, Audit, Tier 2 Support, Concur Administration, and Analytics), ensuring effective execution and issue resolution.

• Manage Escalations and Exception Handling

Own and resolve operational escalations across regions, coordinating internally and externally as needed, and escalating the most complex or strategic issues to the Global Process Owner when required.

• Service Management and Vendor Performance Oversight

Lead service management activities with key vendors (e.g., banking partners and Concur), including SLA reviews, issue resolution, action planning for missed SLAs, and coordination of service or contractual changes.

• Drive Continuous Improvement and Process Enhancements

Identify, define, and implement process improvements, enhancements, and deviations when required, coordinating with regional T&E teams to align on best practices and operating models.

• Support Global T&E Strategic Initiatives

Support global T&E initiatives using project management methodologies, act as a key point of contact for regional teams, and ensure key experience metrics (e.g., Concur Experience rating) meet defined targets.

• Lead People Management and Team Development

Manage performance and development of direct reports through regular one-on-ones, performance check-ins, and engagement initiatives, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What will you need to be successful?  

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.

Experience

• 5+ years of combined experience in Travel & Expense, Corporate Cards, Procure-to-Pay, or Finance Operations, with demonstrated experience supporting regional or global T&E and/or Corporate Card programs.

• 2+ years of experience leading teams or initiatives, including managing operational escalations, exception handling, and SLA-driven service delivery.

Languages

• Fluent English (written and spoken).

• Fluent Spanish (written and spoken).

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of T&E and Corporate Card policies, controls, and approval processes.

• Working knowledge of audit requirements, compliance expectations, and risk mitigation in a corporate environment.

• Experience monitoring operational KPIs and translating performance data into actions.

• Familiarity with service management concepts and vendor performance oversight.​

Competencies

• Strong operational judgment and decision-making skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities across regions and stakeholders.

• Clear and confident communicator, able to challenge non-compliance constructively.

• High attention to detail with the ability to see broader operational and risk impacts.

• Ability to operate independently in a complex, matrixed organization.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Demonstrates accountability and ownership for operational outcomes.

• Reinforces policy adherence and disciplined behavior through action and example.

• Builds trust and credibility with team members, peers, and leaders.

• Encourages collaboration, continuous improvement, and constructive challenge.

• Comfortable influencing without direct authority.

Preferred Qualifications

Education / Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma (Yellow Belt or higher), Project Management, or similar process improvement certification.

• Training in audit, compliance, or risk management disciplines.

Experience

• Experience supporting T&E or Corporate Card operations.

• Exposure to banking partners and card issuers (e.g., SLA reviews, service governance).

• Experience participating in or leading global process improvement initiatives.

• Experience working closely with Internal Audit, Compliance, and senior business leaders.

Languages

• Portuguese (written and spoken).

• Experience working in a multi-country, multicultural environment.

Knowledge

• Advanced experience with analytics and dashboards (e.g., Power BI or similar tools).

• Familiarity with aging processes, exception tracking, and trend analysis.

• Understanding of AI-related spend governance and technology risk considerations.

​

You. Unlimited

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve. 

Inclusion + Belonging - Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com/ 

• Your future:  stock purchase program, referral bonus, subsidy in transport and food, recognition program.

• Work/Life Balance: Extra days off, birthday off, voluntary hours.

• Your Wellbeing: company doctor, medical insurance, gym, health campaigns, employee assistance program, parental leave. 

• Flexibility: Hybrid work model (for more professional roles), flexible schedules.

• Training: Training program, unlimited learning.

• Extra perks: employees association, and more…

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