Morgan Stanley India | Investment Banking Division - Manager, Expense Management (Mumbai)

Primary responsibilities

• Team works closely with respective core region, bankers and assistants to ensure expenses reported accurately in compliance with firm policy, Travel requests are reviewed to facilitate business requirements with regards to meetings and project executions across client locations.
• The Manager – Travel & Expense will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for travel approvals, leading a team responsible for reviewing and approving travel requisitions across APAC and EMEA regions.
• The role requires sound judgment, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to make timely decisions while ensuring compliance with firm travel policies.
• The individual will provide guidance to the team, manage escalations, maintain process documentation, and partner with stakeholders to ensure seamless travel operations.
• Review and approve travel requisitions for APAC and EMEA bankers within defined service levels.
• Validate travel itineraries, including flight and hotel bookings, ensuring compliance with company travel policies.
• Assess business justification for travel, identify cost exceptions, and determine the appropriateness of requests.
• Evaluate incomplete or ambiguous requests by asking relevant and precise questions to obtain required information before making decisions.
• Handle time-sensitive travel approvals with accuracy while maintaining composure under pressure.
• Act as the Travel Approval SME for the team and provide guidance on complex travel-related queries and policy interpretations.
• Support and coach team members on travel approval processes, decision-making, and quality standards.
• Handle escalations, complex travel scenarios, and priority requests with confidence and professionalism.
• Drive consistency, quality, and compliance across all travel approval activities.
• Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and knowledge repositories are maintained and kept up to date.
• Respond promptly to multiple stakeholder queries, travel-related requests, and PNR (Passenger Name Record) inquiries.
• Build effective relationships with bankers, travel coordinators, and internal stakeholders through professional and timely communication.
• Ensure clear, concise, and accurate written communication while resolving travel-related concerns.
• Support Concur Expense submission reviews and related queries.
• Review and process invoices while ensuring compliance with established controls.
• Support new vendor maintenance and enrolment activities.
• Ensure high levels of accuracy and compliance across all operational processes.
• Maintain operational documentation, process updates, and knowledge articles.
• Monitor workload and prioritize tasks effectively to meet turnaround times and service level agreements.
• Work collaboratively across functions and support team members as business requirements evolve.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives and operational excellence.

Requirements

• 5–7+ years of experience in Travel & Expense (T&E) operations.
• Prior experience managing or supervising a team in the current or previous role.
• Strong knowledge of travel approval processes, travel policies, and expense management (Concur experience preferred).
• Good understanding of global geography and international travel itineraries.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to ask relevant questions and interact professionally with stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment while managing multiple priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and documentation management.
• Willing to carry and respond to Firm-issued mobile device emails and voicemails as required.

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm founded in New York in 1935, known for investment banking, sales and trading, wealth management and investment management.

Its teams in India support the firm's global businesses. For chartered accountants this means corporate controllers, external reporting, regulatory reporting, tax and risk roles.

• Industry: Investment banking, wealth and investment management
• Headquarters: New York, USA
• In India: Teams in Mumbai and Bengaluru supporting global businesses