Soumya Ranjan Raj
Bengaluru
Summary
Strategic and detail-driven leader in corporate travel, transport, hospitality, and administrative services, bringing over two decades of experience in managing and delivering seamless end-to-end travel and transport solutions for global organizations. Known for optimizing travel logistics and employee transport operations while driving cost efficiency and compliance. Proficient in travel booking, immigration coordination, accommodation planning, and corporate card integration, with hands-on expertise in automated travel and expense management systems. Adept at managing vendor relationships, resolving escalations, and streamlining soft services to enhance workplace safety and comfort. Passionate about creating smooth, stress-free travel experiences that support business goals and employee well-being.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global Lead- Travel & Expense Management
Digite Solutions Ltd.
06.2025 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Ongoing Development: Currently leading the customization and deployment of MakeMyTrip SBT “myBiz” and “myClaims” platforms to optimize corporate travel booking and expense management processes. This initiative is focused on improving user experience, strengthening policy compliance, and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Sr. Manager - Travel & Transport PAN India Operations
Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd.
08.2019 - 06.2025
- Spearheaded global travel operations across India, USA, UK, Canada, Philippines, South Africa, and Australia, ensuring seamless coordination and service delivery.
- Directed travel, expense, and employee transport functions with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
- Developed, implemented, and monitored travel, claims, and transport policies, SOPs, and compliance frameworks across multiple geographies.
- Acted as the primary liaison for employee travel support; successfully implemented the MoveInSync platform for end-to-end transport needs.
- Tracked and analyzed flown revenue across airline partners to ensure alignment with corporate travel goals and strategic benchmarks.
- Led corporate MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) programs and managed centralized travel accounts (CTA/BTA).
- Championed cost optimization initiatives, conducted internal audits, and managed travel alerts and onboarding processes.
- Owned and administered the Concur Travel & Expense platform; served as the UAT Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for internal systems integration.
- Oversaw company-owned fleet operations, guest house facilities, cafeteria services, and escort security arrangements.
- Negotiated contracts and managed relationships with travel agencies, hotels, transport providers, and staffing vendors.
- Designed performance dashboards and review mechanisms to monitor vendor compliance; provided analytical reports on travel and transport spend with a focus on cost-efficiency.
- Supported internal and external audits related to travel, transport, and facility operations, ensuring transparency and adherence to standards.
Travel Manager – South India Operations
HCL Technologies Ltd.
06.2007 - 08.2019
- Developed and enforced travel policies and SOPs to ensure seamless compliance.
- Spearheaded the implementation of Zillious OBT across the organization.
- Manage Corporate Credit Card programs. Coordinated air travel, hotel bookings, guest house operations, airport transfers, and foreign exchange.
- Air Ticketing, Hotel bookings, guest house, airport transfers and foreign exchange.
- Managed visa documentation for US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Middle East, Australia, and Far East regions.
- Acted as liaison with embassies for application updates, clarifications, and fast track process and documentation support.
- Managing Corporate MICE events and SPOC for the Executive Committee members.
- RFP closures and negotiations with TMC, Airlines, Hotels and Car Rentals.
- Escalation management, reconciliation of vendor invoices and execute internal travel audit.
- Business visa processing and orientation to first time travelers.
- Oversaw FRRO registration, document attestation, legalization, and translation services.
- Accomplishments and Highlights @ HCL:
- Successful Implementation of Zillious Travel tool with an adaptation percentage of 50% in the first year 2018.
- Awarded with Performance Excellence Recognition by HCL for 4 years.
- Introduction and successful implementation of International SOS services in HCL.
- Worked on Dual Vendor Quote resulting in 20% reductions on travel spends.
Travel Implant Head
Carlson Wagonlit Travels
01.2003 - 01.2007
- IBM, Phillips India, Synopsys India Pvt. Ltd and Bosch India at Bengaluru.
IATA Instructor
Trade Wings Institute of Management
01.2002 - 01.2003
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration - Operations Management
Symbiosis Centre of Distance Learning
3 Years Diploma - Hospitality Management
IIAS School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Siliguri, WBCouncil of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) - undefined
Ravenshaw College, Utkal University
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) - undefined
Cambridge School
Cuttack, OdishaSkills
- Operational efficiency
- Collaborative strategic planning
- Budgetary Control
- Effective leadership
- Effective collaboration skills
- Automation and Technology Adoption
- Supplier relationship management
- Effective negotiation
- Flexible problem-solving
- Data analysis proficiency
- Effective problem resolution
- Cultural sensitivity
- Effective communication
- Client support
Accomplishments
- Accomplishments and Highlights @ HGS:
- Digital Transformation: Successfully implemented the Concur Travel & Expense tool with a 60% adoption rate in the first year (2020), followed by a consistent 5% year-on-year increase.
- Transport Automation & Cost Savings: Spearheaded the implementation of the “MoveInSync” transport automation solution with end-to-end services, resulting in an 80% reduction in manpower and annual savings of $3 million.
- COVID-19 Response Leadership: Led critical COVID relief efforts including War Room operations, vaccination drives for 5,000 employees, and 3,000 system movements to enable remote work.
- ERP Integration & Financial Efficiency Introduced CTA cards enabling 100% ERP integration, extended payment terms to 45 days, and improved travel data transparency.
- Innovation in Travel Tech: In collaboration with HGS tech team developed an in-house Travel Requisition App “easyTravel” in 2023 to streamline internal travel requests and approvals. Was leading the development of the in-house Employee Transport Management System (ETMS) to further enhance operational efficiency.
- Strategic Budget Management: Managed a Capex and Opex budget of $5 million for the Travel and Transport Department, achieving year-on-year budget efficiency: 18% in 2021, 21% in 2022, and 23% in 2023.
Certification
- IATA/UFTAA Certification, Montreal, Canada 2003.
- Ticketing Certification Amadeus, 2003.
- Air India Sabre CRS Certification 2002.
- Diploma in Airlines, Travel & Tourism Management 2002.
- TMC Marriott Hotel Excellence – Certification 2004.
- Certified Expert in Facility Management 2022
- Flame: Certified Management Excellence Program, by HCL.
PERSONAL SNIPPETS
Language Proficiency: English, Odia, Hindi, Nepali and Bangla.
Timeline
Global Lead- Travel & Expense Management
Digite Solutions Ltd.
06.2025 - Current
Sr. Manager - Travel & Transport PAN India Operations
Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd.
08.2019 - 06.2025
Travel Manager – South India Operations
HCL Technologies Ltd.
06.2007 - 08.2019
Travel Implant Head
Carlson Wagonlit Travels
01.2003 - 01.2007
IATA Instructor
Trade Wings Institute of Management
01.2002 - 01.2003
3 Years Diploma - Hospitality Management
IIAS School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) - undefined
Ravenshaw College, Utkal University
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) - undefined
Cambridge School
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Administration - Operations Management
Symbiosis Centre of Distance Learning
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Functional and Operational Expertise: Encompasses end –to-end travel that includes policy drafting, setting up SOPS, itinerary finalization, air ticketing, visa documentations, cab bookings, guest houses and hotels booking, BTA/CTA card program, vendor relationship, escalation management, fare benchmarking, travel insurances, MICE events, Intl SOS services, Transport Roster and Route planning, CPH benchmarking, Driver Induction, Escort guard training, female safe reach tracking, cab compliance, T&E management.
- Dexterous Negotiator: RFP closures of commercial agreements for the entire corporate travel and hospitality services.
- Analytical and Innovative Thinker: Aligns commercial advisory and risk management functions that drive operating and financial efficiency, implement best practices. Update on emerging trends.
- Risk Assessment: Determine and identify possible mishaps, hazards their likelihood, consequences, and the tolerances for such events.
- Avid and Proactive: BCP readiness, execution of travel risk or crisis management with proactive risk alerts, protect people and assets of corporate to ensure a safe and secure environment
- Adaptive Diversity: Treat all with equality irrespective of their gender.
- Drive for Result: Consistently achieves project goals; works and deliver high quality output.
- Collaborative Player: Team player participates across vertical and encourage others to contribute, acknowledge, respect and reward others contributions.
- Committed Compiler: Follows protocol and encourages others to follow suit.
- Relating and Networking: Reflects partnership with internal and external clients developing and delivering world-class solutions.
Awards
Outstanding Performer, Best Mentor Award 2023