The Meetings & Events Senior Specialist is responsible for leading the strategic planning, sourcing, contracting, financial management, and execution of complex domestic and international meetings and events that support key priorities, executive leadership engagement, associate experience, and brand initiatives.
Operating within Procurement & Business Services, this role serves as the category expert for meetings and events, partnering with senior business leaders to develop event strategies, optimize supplier relationships, manage significant event investments, and deliver exceptional experiences while ensuring operational excellence and fiscal accountability.
This position independently manages multiple high-profile initiatives simultaneously, including executive meetings, international programs, enterprise leadership events, and the company's flagship brand experiences. Success requires strategic thinking, strong business acumen, executive presence, supplier negotiation expertise, and the ability to influence decisions across a highly matrixed organization.
Responsibilities- Lead the strategy, planning, sourcing, financial management, and execution of domestic and international meetings and events.
- Direct operational planning and execution for high-profile events involving executive leadership, external partners, international attendees, VIP travel, and multi-vendor coordination.
- Serve as the primary event lead for international programs, providing expertise in global logistics, customs coordination, supplier management, and country-specific operational requirements.
- Lead planning and execution of enterprise associate engagement initiatives and company-wide experiences that reinforce organizational culture and business priorities.
- Serve as the meetings and events subject matter expert, providing strategic consultation and influencing business partners throughout the event lifecycle.
- Develop, analyze, and present executive-level reporting and business insights on event strategy, spend, supplier performance, operational readiness, savings opportunities, and post-event outcomes to support leadership decision making.
- Develop and execute supplier relationship strategies that improve service delivery, innovation, financial performance, and long-term partnership value.
- Source, negotiate, and secure venues, meeting space, sleeping rooms, catering, audio visual, air and ground transportation, and related supplier contracts
- Partner with internal Legal Contract Services and Procurement teams on contract review and negotiation processes
- Build and sustain collaborative relationships with customers and suppliers to optimize operational and financial performance
- Demonstrate the ability to influence stakeholders and manage customer expectations while balancing operational and financial requirements
- Provide executive-level support during high-visibility events requiring sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and exceptional customer service.
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Qualifications- Self-motivated, self-starting professional capable of working independently while managing multiple priorities
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders, build consensus, and drive decision making across a highly matrixed organization.
- Cross-functional collaborator who works in a values-based, ethical, and professional manner
- Excellent verbal and written communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
- Strong interpersonal skills rooted in professionalism and emotional maturity
- Decisive problem solver with strong analytical and organizational skills
- Strong negotiation, contracting, and supplier management capabilities
- Ability to effectively manage customer engagements and supplier relationships simultaneously
- Proven ability to improve and streamline processes while driving operational consistency and change management
- Ability to execute tasks accurately, thoroughly, and calmly in a fast-paced environment
- Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate business needs, proactively mitigate risk, and continuously improve customer experience.
- Agile and willing to take on evolving responsibilities as business needs require
- Ability to work extended hours, including evenings and/or weekends in support of events
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (less than 10% travel)
Experience and Education- Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent experience preferred
- 7+ years of experience in meeting and event planning
- Experience supporting international meetings, travel and event logistics required
- Experience with shipping, customs coordination and international operational requirements preferred
- Experience managing third-party/non-associate travel logistics for high-profile events preferred
- Experience leading strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and contract management within a procurement or corporate environment strongly preferred
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or equivalent required
- Demonstrated success partnering directly with executive leadership and influencing strategic business decisions
- Strong PC skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
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