John Jerry Odonkor

Providing the overall managerial, service provision, and operational oversight for 36 countries across the Ecobank Group on travel, lodging and related services, with an annual budget of $18m, to achieve the strategic objectives, operational effectiveness and alignment of corporate services with the Bank’s broader goals.

• Corporate Travel Projects: Centralized travel services across 36 countries, leveraging AI-enabled tools to enhance operational efficiency. Optimized the travel management team from 45 to 10 members and established a center of excellence for travel.
• Policy Management: Revised travel policies to align with centralization and best practices, ensuring compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Financial & Vendor Management: Monitored travel budgets, negotiated significant cost savings with travel service providers, and rationalized the number of Travel Management Companies (TMCs) from 72 to 3 strategic partners.
• Travel Analytics & Big Data: Consolidated air travel data for better negotiation and decision-making, and developed a real-time travel dashboard.
• Technology & Innovation: Upgraded internal travel requisition tools, reduced approval processes, and developed a travel intranet website for comprehensive travel information.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to understand business needs and provide effective solutions.
• Other Logistical Functions: Managed events, catering, visa acquisition, work permits, and staff repatriation.

• Policy Implementation: Enforced Ecobank Group policies on real estate, facility management, and government regulatory requirements.
• Operational Oversight: Managed logistics, catering, insurance, and transportation operations, including staff management and travel bookings.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensured all activities complied with regulatory requirements and internal policies, with a focus on risk management and employee health and safety.
• Logistical Support: Managed the clearing and re-export processes for IT equipment and ATM cards, and maintained SLAs with courier service providers like DHL and FedEx.
• Automation and Technology: Automated contracts for over 78 branches and ATMs, and managed facilities and procurement for the Ecobank Group Data Center in Ghana.
• Health and Safety: Ensured general health and safety for lives and properties at the workplace.
• Lease Management: Monitored lease acquisitions and renewals.
• Project Management: Managed the power farm project at eProcess International, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and cost.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiated and renewed over 80 contracts annually for both Ecobank Ghana Limited and eProcess International.
• Maintenance Schedules: Implemented preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for facilities.
• Budget Management: Prepared and managed the annual CAPEX and OPEX budget.
• Business Continuation: Championed the Business Continuation Management (BCM) plan.

Key Achievements:

• IT Procurement and Vendor Management: Implemented and enforced procurement and vendor management policies, achieving a cost savings of $10 million through strategic negotiations with vendors such as Dell, HP, Microsoft, Oracle, Oberthur, and Masria.
• Policy Management: Developed and updated policies for travel, accommodation, procurement, and general services to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Facility and Realty Management: Managed the Ecobank Group's facility and realty activities, including the Data Centre facility, ensuring compliance with international standards and health and safety requirements.
• Protocol, Logistics & Transport Management: Oversaw logistics and transport services, managed relationships with travel management companies, and ensured protocol services for senior executives.
• Physical Security: Managed electronic and manned security activities, ensuring the protection of lives and property.
• Records Management: Ensured prompt archiving and retrieval of files and managed the fixed assets register, ensuring proper disposal of obsolete assets.

• Policy Implementation: Enforced the Ecobank Group policy on logistics and transport.
• Tool Development: Coordinated the development and implementation of the Ecobank Travel Reporting Tool.
• Staff Management: Provided guidance, performance management, supervision, and mentoring to staff.
• System Implementation: Coordinated the development and implementation of the American Express (AMEX) Travel Management System.
• Cost Reduction: Championed a travel cost reduction project, realizing savings and cost avoidance of over $1,000,000.
• Vendor Management: Managed the SLA with airlines, hotels, and the Travel Management Company (TMC).
• Visa and Permit Management: Acquired and renewed visas and work permits for staff and consultants.
• Technology Utilization: Leveraged technology to improve business processes and analytics, enhancing the traveler's experience.
• Policy Development: Developed, updated, and enforced travel accommodation and general service policies and procedures to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.

• Supervised flight and hotel reservations, ticketing services, and day-to-day logistics for large corporate clients, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Generated weekly reports for management, negotiated contracts and group discounts, and managed waitlisted reservations with travel service providers.
• Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to understand business needs, monitor service delivery, and provide effective solutions in the travel industry.