Senior Sourcing Manager - Meetings & Events

Amex GBT is a place where colleagues find inspiration in travel as a force for good and – through their work – can make an impact on our industry. We’re here to help our colleagues achieve success and offer an inclusive and collaborative culture where your voice is valued.

Function as the primary client liaison and lead for assigned Tier 1 programs that feature high levels of complexity, and large scale event expertise. Negotiate critical program components based on knowledge of client requirements from initial request through contract completion and turnover; this includes recommending supplier and destinations options and solutions. Proactively negotiate price and contract and create reasonable preliminary budgets. Communicate with the Procurement Team and suppliers on a timely basis, information relative to travel program operations.

What You'll Do:

• Review meeting requests and conduct meeting qualification calls with client.

• Use knowledge of domestic and international destinations to recommend appropriate sites.

• Maintain knowledge of new destination options, value-priced destination options and promotional offerings.

• Gather all the information necessary to properly source and contract an event on behalf of a client,

• Initiate RFP process to secure appropriate room blocks, logistical event needs, and pricing from hotels and/or venues.

• Qualify proposals to determine if they are appropriate and competitive.

• Meet client deadlines by providing availability grid, or other preferred document format, based on client standards, and review with client and team.

• Track supplier option dates and follows-up with team members and suppliers of program status.

• Review all supplier contracts prior to finalization, ensure both program specific and generic terms and conditions are accurate and legally protective of both Amex GBT and the client, including attrition dates, cancellation policies, etc. Use appropriate authorization and addendum form to ensure consistency and accuracy.

• Conduct final negotiations with selected suppliers for the best possible pricing and concessions to meet savings and spend expectations.

• Provide suppliers with all appropriate documentation at sale notification including itinerary, supplier contracts, etc.

• Create meeting records in the designated meeting management system and complete all internal documentation for the program prior to turnover.

• May participate in program re-negotiations or cancellation negotiations, as required.

• Assists with developing timeline and deliverables for lifecycle between sourcing and contracting

What We're Looking For:

• Work closely with clients to ensure program objectives are addressed, maintain open lines of communication and understanding of expectations and client satisfaction.

• Maintain open and ongoing communication with the team regarding supplier utilization, key negotiations, performance, and unique programming ideas.

• Provide support/training to new team members as required.

• Advise client of initial deposit requirement and assists with payment when applicable

• Responsible for accurate program forecasting and updating business management systems with accurate financial and estimated budget and cost savings information as needed.

• Maintain accurate records, system input, and complete file management as outlined in Amex GBT and client policies and procedures.

• Work on special projects as assigned by the Director or Operations Manager.

• Keep abreast of industry standards and trends related to responsibilities.

• Handle multiple projects/demands effectively

• May require travel to destinations worldwide, in support of client site inspections.

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in project, event, or meeting management, at least 2 of which are from an agency background

• 3-5 years of sourcing city wide events

• 4-year degree preferred

• CMP designation preferred. Experience in hotel buying required

• Proven negotiation skills

• Knowledge of travel supplier operations, overall capabilities/range of services

• Program management system experience preferred, especially with an online sourcing tool (Cvent)

• Understanding of and ability to effect win/win solutions.

• Operations experience in hospitality industry or equivalent a plus

• Prior successful experience in developing and maintaining key client and supplier relationships

• Strong knowledge of program/event management and budget maintenance