Relo 101: Strategic Relocation for Today’s Mobility Managers

When employee relocation isn’t your company’s core business, managing the process efficiently, and strategically, can be challenging. Whether you’re supporting a key leadership move or relocating talent to meet evolving business needs, mobility managers must balance cost control, compliance, and employee experience.

Here’s what every mobility manager should know about creating a relocation program that’s both scalable and strategic.

1. Build a Relocation Program That Fits Your Organization

Your relocation policy should reflect your company’s goals, culture, and resources. Aligning internal stakeholders, HR, finance, legal, and business unit leaders, early in the process ensures the program is designed for success.

Key considerations include:

• Transparency of expenses: Confirm whether your relocation partners pass through vendor costs at actual expense or add markups.
• Program flexibility: Offer tiered or policy-based benefits that scale with employee level or assignment type.
• Partner accountability: Work with providers who provide full visibility into costs, compliance, and performance metrics.

2. Manage Tax and Compliance Risk

Taxation and compliance are critical, especially when relocations cross borders. Tax rules vary widely, which can lead to double taxation or compliance gaps. Partnering with relocation and tax professionals ensures compliance, protects your employees, and avoids surprises for your organization.

3. Optimize the Employee Experience

Every relocation is a life-changing event. From home finding to settling in, supporting employees and their families builds confidence, productivity, and retention.

Mobility managers should ensure access to:

• Pre-decision counseling to evaluate relocation fit and expectations.
• Home finding and temporary housing support for efficient, low-stress transitions.
• Household goods management from survey to delivery with trusted providers like Allied Van Lines.
• Destination services include area orientation, school search, and cultural adaptation support.

These services empower employees to focus on their new roles faster—without relocation distractions.

4. Control Costs and Streamline Expense Management

Every relocation represents a significant investment, often up to three times an employee’s annual salary. Efficient expense management is essential to maximize ROI.

Working with a relocation partner that integrates expense tracking, payroll reporting, and tax gross-up can deliver:

• Greater visibility into total relocation spend
• Fewer exceptions and reimbursements
• Faster employee reimbursements and improved satisfaction

 

5. Leverage Outsourced Expertise

Outsourcing relocation management offers companies with strategic or occasional mobility needs a cost-effective way to access global expertise without expanding internal headcount.

Benefits include:

• Immediate access to best practices and benchmark data
• A seamless extension of your HR and mobility teams
• Simplified planning, implementation, and policy compliance

 

Right-Sized Mobility Solutions for Modern Talent Strategies

Mobility is an investment in your people—and your business. Whether relocating key talent, onboarding executives, or expanding globally, a structured, scalable program ensures consistency and confidence.

Backed by Allied Van Lines’ more than 95 years of moving experience, our corporate mobility solutions deliver the expertise, visibility, and care your company needs to move talent successfully, anywhere in the world.

Partner with Allied for Smarter Mobility

By partnering with Allied Van Lines, mobility managers gain:

• Proven expertise in corporate relocation and logistics
• Transparent pricing and detailed reporting
• Global capabilities with local expertise
• A partner that protects both your talent and your program

 

At Allied Van Lines, we understand that every move reflects your organization’s brand. With nearly a century of relocation experience, we help mobility leaders simplify complex moves, protect budgets, and ensure seamless employee transitions.

To learn more about how Allied Van Lines can simplify your corporate mobility strategy, contact us today at https://www.allied.com/employee-moving-services