Senior Event Planner - 240140 : KNW-B30

Description

Job Summary: 
The overall purpose of this position is to provide a Best-in-Class quality of service to all clients supported by IEEE MCE’s event management services team MCE-EMS through professional timely communication and meeting and event management. This position serves as subject matter expert on all aspects of event, meeting, and conference planning, and on IEEE policy and procedures as they apply to conferences, events, and the corporate meetings of the organization.  The incumbent in this position advises on cost containment, best practices surrounding events, recommendations on venues, room set-up, equipment and other areas, to best serve the objectives of the event, enabling clients to focus on the content delivery, rather than the logistical/project management aspects of the event. He/She partners with the clients as the subject matter expert and project manager to facilitate the execution of IEEE conferences, events, and corporate meetings.  They assist the IEEE Professional Core and Volunteers in process management to ensure efficient procedures and offer continual improvement to existing process for the optimization of operational excellence.

Event Planners are expected to have consistent communication with management on developments, problems, and status of projects; and support team members to establish a consistent level of quality, accuracy and compliance to departmental and industry standards.  The role typically reports to the Sr. Manager, MCE Event Management Services (MCE-EMS) and has no direct reports. 

Essential Functions:
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Event Management
  • Concurrent management as project lead and/or team member in support of multiple events ranging in size from 10 – 15,000 attendees with budgeting of up to $1,000,000 or higher, as assigned. Events assigned may include complex events, international events and high-profile/first time clients within the MCE portfolio.
  • Serves as the Account/Portfolio Manager and primary point of contact between the clients and MCE-EMS.  This position will provide customer support, technical support, strategic planning and optimization for the client account, as well as developing and maintaining a relationship with the clients.
  • Management, organization, and execution of all logistical aspects of assigned events and projects, within budget plans and/or guidelines (F&B, Setup, AV, Exhibits, Special events, Companion programs, shipping, etc.)
  • Preparation of time-lines, status reports, cost analysis, and other reports as requested
  • Event Sourcing,  and vendor selection including research, analysis, recommendations and contract negotiation utilizing SMM tools
  • Planners will work with venue and all vendors to ensure that event is executed seamlessly.
  • Create and manage tools to facilitate communication of the event in electronic format as well as print copy (website development, email alias, announcements, etc.)
  • Venue/supplier financial management, including credit filing, and billing reconciliation
  • Manage multiple events simultaneously and accommodate the individual needs of committees, volunteers, IEEE professional core  and other attendees as requested
  • Support and facilitate Community Building efforts for assigned events
  • Management, organization and execution of all logistical aspects of exhibits management (prospectus development, booth assignment, vendor management, etc.)
  • Prioritize the importance of both IEEE professional core and volunteer requests
  • Heavy interaction with diverse IEEE professional core/volunteers; requires diplomacy and tact to deal with all levels  - must be sensitive to the differences and positions
  • Management and scheduling of employees, vendors and other subcontractors
  • Onsite management 
• Registration and Housing Management
  • Develop and maintain a working knowledge of registration database and other tools utilized in support of the business
  • Creation and maintenance of online (web-based) registration and housing forms; and attendee communications
  • Room block management
  • Reporting ongoing registration statistics to clients
• Special projects/initiatives as assigned

 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5-8 years domestic and international professional event planning experience in the realm of conferences and meetings
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation preferred but not required.  CMP designation must be attained with first two (2) years of employment 

Skills & Other Requirements:

• Must be technologically savvy, and display a willingness to seek out technology solutions to business challenges
• Proficiency working with an electronic sourcing tool a plus (Cvent, Starcite, etc.)
• Accomplished industry professional with excellent knowledge and thorough comprehension of event location analysis, logistics, and management of events from conception to completion
• Advanced negotiation and contracting skills - ability to understand and interpret financial data
• Demonstrated strategic thinking related to assigned events for securing future business opportunities
• Account/Portfolio Management experience preferred
• Association event planning experience preferred, but not required
• Exhibit management experience preferred but not required
• Proven track record of managing large scale events, with attendance over 2,000 and multiple tracks occurring on a daily basis
• Experienced and adept in hotel/conference center policies, operations and  procedures including knowledge of banquet service etiquette, menu-planning and wine-selection principles
• Exceptional project  and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and oversee multiple events concurrently – skilled in multitasking
• Excellent listening, organizational, planning and time management skills
• Dedication to detail and the ability to work under pressure in a deadline driven environment
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to change in a dynamic environment
• Must be committed to working both independently and as a team player
• Ability to relate well with others, build relationships and constructively interact with a variety of employees, volunteers and vendors
• Must be able to work well under pressure, be extremely organized, maintain workload balance, set priorities in a deadline-driven environment and represent the IEEE in a professional manner
• Moderate to heavy travel schedule domestic and international
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends to meet event needs

For information on work demands and conditions required for this position, please consult the reference document, “Physical, Mental, and Work Environment Standards for IEEE Positions.”  This position is classified under This position is classified under [Category I—Office Position].

IEEE is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled
====================================================================
Disclaimer:  This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons. 
 

Job : Meeting & Event Management

Primary Location : United States-New Jersey-Piscataway

:

Schedule : Full-time

Job Type : Regular

Job Posting : Sep 20, 2024, 4:43:39 PM