List job requirements, skills set, and years of experience:
- Minimum of eight (8) years prior corporate meeting and conference planning experience.
- Possess extensive understanding of hospitality industry, how it operates, how it is organized and how to manage through the system efficiently and effectively.
- Understanding of the Insurance and Financial Services and IRS regulations as they relate to meetings and conferences a plus.
- The successful candidate must have a proven track record in the following areas:
- Management and development of all logistical components associated with meetings and conferences.
- On-site leadership of meetings and conferences.
- Evaluation and procurement of outside resources within budget.
- Domestic and international destination knowledge.
- Development and ongoing management of meeting/conference budgets and reconciliation.
- Negotiation of complex vendor agreements.
- Collaboration with teams in the development and delivery of meetings and conferences.
- Ability to cultivate strong relationships with key business partners and vendors.
- Persuasive communication skills and ability to exercise diplomacy consistently.
- Strong organization and time management skills; ability to remain flexible and prioritize effectively; capacity to manage multiple priorities meeting deadlines and responding to changing priorities.
- The successful candidate must have demonstrated the following competencies:
- Judgment and problem-solving skills to resolve unique and/or unanticipated problems.
- Work strategically to negotiate and leverage spend.
- Effective verbal and written communications.
- Maintain composure and professionalism during stressful situations.
- Creativity and effective strategic thinking. Ability to “think outside the box” and be a change agent.
- Initiative, strong work ethic and ownership of work.
- High ethical standards; ability to maintain integrity in questionable situations.
- Ability to make sound decisions.
- Team player, but able to work independently with limited direct supervision.
- Actively involved in the meetings/hospitality profession, with established professional relationships with vendors.
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) strongly preferred, with the expectation that the successful candidate will need to obtain this designation within 18 months.
- Personal computer skills including proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Working knowledge of Cvent or other online meeting management applications a plus, with the expectation the successful candidate will complete training within two months and mastery of the system within six months.
- Flexibility to work additional hours when needed.
- Travel required. Weekend and holiday travel will be necessary at times.