**You could say we're at the center of the center.** Here at Edward Jones the client is our single focus and our relationships with them are the measure of everything we do. And Service and Operations divisions are at the center of it all. We support our clients, branch teams and headquarter associates in providing the best possible experience. Advocate for our more than 7 million clients through regulation communication, fraud protection and managing their investment distributions. Protect their investments by mitigating risk. And innovate new ways of working. Using insights to create solutions for the future - in the here and now. **Job Overview** **Position Schedule:** Full-Time This job posting is anticipated to remain open for 30 days, from 04-Nov-2025. The posting may close early due to the volume of applicants. **Overview:** The Travel Award Program Leader leads the design, evolution, and performance oversight of a strategic recognition program that celebrates and rewards top-performing financial advisors. This role drives cross-functional collaboration across matrixed teams and manages critical relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure program success. Develops and governs program policies, procedures, and guidelines that align with firm objectives, while proactively identifying opportunities for automation, scalability, and operational efficiency. **What You Will Do:** + Strategy & Program Design: Leads key components of the logistical strategy and execution for high-impact firm programs-such as the Travel Award Program-ensuring alignment with firm goals and initiatives. Designs and sustains innovative program structures, policies, and experiences that motivate financial advisors and promotes firm culture. + Vendor Management: Provides strategic oversight of vendor partnerships to ensure seamless execution of the Travel Award Program, with a strong focus on operational excellence and contractual compliance. Interpret and utilize data to proactively manage vendor performance, optimize service delivery, and resolve complex operational challenges. Plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction of vendor engagement by aligning partnership goals with broader organizational objectives, identifying opportunities for innovation, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. + Leadership: Provide strategic leadership across internal teams, external partners, and matrixed environments, driving strategy, alignment, and execution that ensures the success of the Travel Award Program that services 50,000 people in 85 destinations a year. + Stakeholder Management: Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships between GPs and key internal stakeholders to drive alignment and meet program objectives. Effectively communicate across a diverse range of audiences-including senior firm leadership, the field, and cross-functional program stakeholders. + Execution & Operation: Oversee end-to-end planning and delivery of incentive trips, including destination selection, vendor support, and participant satisfaction. Ensure all programs are executed flawlessly with a premium, white-glove experience. + Measurement & Continuous Improvement: Utilize Scorecard and KPIs to monitor vendor performance, conduct regular reviews, and address service issues or improvement opportunities. Analyze feedback and performance data to drive continuous innovation & optimization. + Technology: Research and evaluate emerging technologies to assess their potential to improve program processes and FA experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies in current workflows and propose technology-driven solutions to increase productivity and scalability. Align strategy to execution through the development and maintenance of the technology roadmap, outlining the body of work expected now, next and into the future. + Risk & Compliance: Ensure travel program meets corporate compliance standards, travel risk management, and duty of care obligations. Edward Jones' compensation and benefits package includes medical and prescription drug, dental, vision, voluntary benefits (such as accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness), short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage. Short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage are provided at no cost to associates. Edward Jones offers a 401k retirement plan, and tax-advantaged accounts: health savings account, and flexible spending account. Edward Jones observes ten paid holidays and provides 15 days of vacation for new associates beginning on January 1 of each year, as well as sick time, personal days, and a paid day for volunteerism. Associates may be eligible for bonuses and profit sharing. All associates are eligible for the firm's Employee Assistance Program. For more information on the Benefits available to Edward Jones associates, please visit our benefits page (https://secure.edwardjonesbenefits.com/fleet/public/index/f914262d-0362-4682-bd1e-0ccd25f1dfb1) . **Hiring Minimum:** $99200 **Hiring Maximum:** $168900 Read More About Job Overview **Skills/Requirements** **What You Will Need:** + Bachelor's degree required or equivalent work experience + 3-5 years of related experience required: at least 3 years of leadership experience and at least 5 years of travel-related experience + Knowledge of Incentive Program operations; Business Travel; Negotiation and Sourcing processes; Project Management; Cost management and budgeting; Risk Management **What May Set You Apart:** + 6-10 years of related experience ****Candidates that live within in a commutable distance from our Tempe, AZ and St. Louis, MO home office locations are expected to work in the office three days per week, with preference for Tuesday through Thursday.**** **Current INTERNAL home-based associates:** While this role is posted as hybrid, **if selected and accepted, you may retain your home-based status** . Edward Jones intends in good faith to continue offering the role as home-based, though future business or regulatory needs may require on-site work. Read More About Skills/Requirements **Awards & Accolades** At Edward Jones, we are building a place where everyone feels like they belong. We're proud of our associates' contributions to the firm and the recognitions we have received. Check out our U.S. awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones (https://careers.edwardjones.com/blog/?\_sft\_category=awards-accolades) Check out our Canadian awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones (https://careers.edwardjones.com/en-CA/blogs/?\_sft\_category=awards-accolades-en-ca) Read More About Awards & Accolades **About Us** Join a financial services firm where your contributions are valued. Edward Jones is a Fortune 500¹ company where people come first. With over 9 million clients and 20,000 financial advisors across the U.S. and Canada, we're proud to be privately-owned, placing the focus on our clients rather than shareholder returns. Behind everything we do is our purpose: We partner for positive impact to improve the lives of our clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. We are an innovative, flexible, and inclusive organization that attracts, develops, and inspires performance excellence and a sense of belonging. People are at the center of our partnership. Edward Jones associates are seen, heard, respected, and supported. This is what we believe makes us the best place to start or build your career. View our Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report (https://careers.edwardjones.com/blog/edward-jones-releases-annual-purpose-inclusion-and-citizenship-report/?codes=DIRECT&utm\_source=DIRECT) . ¹Fortune 500, published June 2024, data as of December 2023. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating. Edward Jones does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. \#LI-HO