Senior Meetings & Events Manager

National Life Group; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 88,125 - 129,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and customizable benefits

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off benefits

Job summary

A leading insurance provider is seeking a Senior Conference Planner in Montpelier, Vermont. The role involves managing logistics for various meetings and events, including contract negotiations and vendor relations. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's Degree and over 8 years of experience in the hospitality sector. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office. The position requires a combination of onsite work and flexibility to travel when necessary. Competitive compensation within $88,125 - $129,250 USD is offered.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in hospitality or corporate event planning.
• Proven success in managing meetings and events.
• Ability to thrive in high pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Plan logistics for a variety of meetings and events.
• Manage contract negotiations and vendor relations.
• Coordinate marketing materials and support audiovisual needs.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Hospitality skills

Analytical skills

High pressure handling

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality or related field

Tools

Cvent software

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Come join one of America’s fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.

Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.

We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values: Do good. Be good. Make good.

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

Role Summary

The Senior Conference Planner position is responsible for managing the planning, support, and execution of a variety of scope and size of meetings, on and off site with the Recognition & Conferences Team, in all aspects of its responsibilities, with customer‑engagement (external and internal) program meetings and events to ensure successful conferences and events. This position is a highly visible role, reporting to the AVP, Recognition & Conferences, and provides outstanding customer service, with strong hospitality skills. The ideal candidate will be skilled at intricate contract negotiations, perform at a high level of multi‑tasking, planning and executing logistics, fiscal acumen. Extensive destination knowledge and hospitality vendor relations is an advantage. Candidates will have proven success with presenting and influencing C‑Suite/Executive relationships, and this role requires an ability to communicate effectively with a strength in leading projects and teams. Additional strengths that impact success is thriving in stressful situations, ability to collaborate and have proven critical thinking skills, to ensure high standards of excellence are executed with logistics. Data mindset is a plus and success with execution of digital communication and technology, especially related to meeting planning software.

This position currently offers an onsite work schedule, with the expectation that you are in the office four (4) days per week during onsite core days. Our current onsite core days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The work schedule type and core days are subject to change with advance notification and manager discretion.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan details for a diversified list of meetings and events, and coordinate logistics for off‑site conferences and events, and Vermont and Texas Campus Meetings, and including execution on site. Includes menu planning, designing room setups/layout, support audiovisual needs and preparation, marketing materials coordination and agenda preparation, collection of payments/receipts, and other administrative tasks. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are required.
• Development and execution of designated planning technology software with registration, conference app development and other types of communications, including analysis/reports, as needed.
• Present recommendations to internal clients and stakeholders as required.
• Support execution of: Banquet Event Orders, Rooming lists, Air and Ground Manifests, Contract bookings, Guesthouse Lodging Needs, Audio Visual Contracts, and other communications as directed.
• Collaborate with Marketing teams to execute marketing materials for on‑site of meetings.
• Flexible ability to work evenings and weekends, and periodic travel, minimum of 20%, or as needed.
• This position is presently onsite/hybrid with the expectation that you are in the office three days per week with current campus days being Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (subject to change with advance notification and manager discretion).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, with major in hospitality, event management or related field preferred.
• 8 or more years’ experience in hospitality, conference services, and/or corporate field as a conference or event planner, with a track record of success.
• Superior technology skills required. Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal are necessary. Ability to present/public speaking.
• Ability to thrive in high pressure environments and meet tight deadlines, with a desire to work in a fast paced, challenging team. Strong hospitality skills, with problem solving ability.
• Must be flexible in schedule to work with on‑site meetings.
• Desired interest to travel as needed.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Superior written and presentation skills required.
• Ability to follow the latest trends in the hospitality and travel industries and translate to best practices for the enterprise.
• Ability to work within a team approach. Strong leadership and team management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and/or certification with Cvent software is a welcomed addition but not mandatory.

Benefits

• Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family’s specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!

Base Pay Range

The base pay range for this position is the range National Life reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors, including: prior experience and job‑related knowledge; education, training and certificates; current business needs; and market factors. The final salary or hourly wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

The total compensation package for this position may also include a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in National Life’s discretionary annual incentive programs, subject to the rules governing such programs. If hired, the employee will be in an "at‑will position" and National Life reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

National Life is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis and the role remains open until filled.

Salary Pay Range

$88,125 - $129,250 USD

National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.

Fortune 1000 status is based on the consolidated financial results of all National Life Group companies.

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National Life Group

1 National Life Dr

Montpelier, VT 05604