Sr. Associate, Meeting & Event Planning

The Senior Meeting and Events Planner requires superior customer service skills, a high level of professionalism and willingness to handle all planning and administrative details of meetings and events. The ideal candidate must thrive in a challenging and fast passed atmosphere with the ability to prioritize and multitask. Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills are required. This position will work collaboratively in a team environment, and will also be expected to take initiative and to work independently to produce events, meetings and additional projects, as required.

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide full meeting planning support for GT’s national training, meetings, events and conferences, as assigned
• Liaison with internal customers, stakeholders and suppliers to execute a flawless event, end to end (intake through payment reconciliation)
• Comply with internal processes, using a variety of tools and software to support meeting planning
• Assist in the development, management and tracking of program budgets
• Manage the sourcing and contracting for a variety of suppliers, including understanding key terms and conditions of meeting and event contracts to effectively manage suppliers’ performance and GT’s expense
• Strong negotiation skills, demonstrated by an ability to drive value to our stakeholders
• Technical understanding of A/V and production requirements for meetings
• Oversee event preparation and closure, ordering supplies and packing/shipping of materials
• Travel to offsite locations for regional and national meetings, as requested
• Deliver on-site client service based on department standards and as directed by management team
• Data entry and daily administrative functions
• Payment and reconciliation support for meeting related invoices and master billing
• Knowledge and application of firm policies including actively supporting and guiding employees
• Other duties as assigned

Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor’s degree or significant related experience
• 5+ years of hotel/meetings management and 2+ years proven experience managing large corporate meetings
• Expert program management of detailed meeting requirements
• Technically proficient on key meeting planner skills:  sourcing, negotiations, contracting, room setup and design, F&B, A/V and production, attendee and room block management, ground, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the firm
• Deep working knowledge of procurement policies, practices and approaches related to event planning and management
• Effective problem solving skills
• Financial acumen to manage complex budgets and expenses
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Strong meetings management technology and software skills – experience with Cvent is desired
• Flexibility to travel and work extended hours, as required for the job (up to 50% during busy season)
• Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days per weeks, either at a GT office or client site.

The base salary range for this position in the firm's Chicago, IL office is between $72,000 and $108,000 per year.