Sr. Meeting Planner – Meetings & Events – Remote

Direct Travel; Minnesota; Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Direct Travel as a Senior Program Manager leading innovative meetings and event solutions. This role involves building client relationships, managing budgets, and ensuring program success. Ideal for a strategic thinker with a passion for travel and event planning, ready for a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

Employee rewards and recognitions program

Wellness and Mental Health Support

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in event planning/operations and travel.
• CVENT experience (minimum 2 years).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage client relationships and program execution.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts.
• Create and manage program budget.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Critical Thinking

Time Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Event Planning

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Google Suite

CVENT

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Sr. Program Manager – Meetings & Events (Sr. Meeting Planner) – Remote

Embark on the next step in your career journey with Direct Travel!

As one of the fastest growing Travel Management Companies (TMC) in the world, Direct Travel is committed to reimagining what is possible for the industry , including business travel, personalized experiences, and meetings & events. Under the forward-thinking direction of our experienced leadership team, we are rapidly expanding and leveraging next-generation technologies to deliver on our vision for The Perfect Trip . This is your opportunity to grow your career and be part of a dynamic team that is setting the new standard of travel and service excellence. If you’re passionate about innovation and ready for what’s next, we’d love for you to join us!

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for managing and leading the client in full end to end program planning & program execution through building client relationships, managing client timelines, budgets, and all elements including vendor relationships and technology platforms to successfully reach all objectives.

Expedition Expectations

Client

• Functions as the main client contact and works diligently to develop a strong relationship; manages clients, and provide creative solutions
• Consultswithclienttodeterminegoals,needs,objectives,andexpectationsoftheprogram
• Remains current and knowledgeable about the industry to provide the client with innovative andcompellingconcepts
• Understands client/group idiosyncrasies and adapts Direct Travel services, accordingly
• Schedulesandfacilitatesclientplanninganddebriefmeetingstoevaluateprogram results
• Is accountable for successful program outcome
  
  

ProgramOperations

• Collaborates with appropriate team members in internal kick-off, following program turnover from pre-sales to operations
• Executesoverallstrategy andchoreographyofmeetingsandeventsthrough timeline management.
• Leads clients and other team members on operational site inspections
• Negotiates and manages supplier contracts, including deposits, attrition, concessions, guarantees, roomblocks,andmasteraccounts in conjunction with internal team members
• Acts as liaisonbetweencustomer,hotel, andall suppliers
• Creates and communicatesallprogramspecifications
• Sends appropriate post-program correspondence/reporting to all stakeholders
  
  

FinancialManagementandInsights

• Creates and manages program budget
• Understands and monitors estimated labor hours for team to maximize profit
• Manages and reports on cost-savings, reconciliation, and invoicing
  
  

Leadership

• Provides confident leadership for the client and planning team
• MentorsAssociate Program Managers onanongoingbasis
• Works interdepartmentally (as applicable per program) for the successful execution of theprogram. (such as: Group air team, Sourcing and Technology teams)
• Onsite-Is responsible for on-site program execution and direction of travel staff.Implements contingency plansasneededonsite.Troubleshoots andsolvesonsiteproblemsseamlessly
• Isresponsibleforidentifyingandsharingbestpracticesandprocessimprovementscompany-wide
• Gathers, shares, and applies learnings for continuous process improvement
  
  

Performotherdutiesasassigned.

Working Conditions

• Abilityandwillingnesstoworkextended workdaysandpossibleweekends
• Accessibleduringacceptableworkinghoursidentifiedper project/program
• Travelexpectations–potentialof15-20%ormoreoftimeannually
• Frequentuseof acomputerandother officeequipment
• Abilitytolift20lbs.
• Frequentsitting,standing,andwalking
  
  

Passport to Success

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality, Event Planning or a combination of education and work andexperienceisrequired
• Minimum of (5) years of experience in event planning/operations and travel as lead.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Adobe, Teams
• Knowledgeable in various virtual platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Zoom and other collaboration tools
• Demonstrates ability to think critically and strategically to anticipate opportunities and challenges
• Ability to handle complex and multi-faceted programs
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills
• CVENT experience (minimum 2 years)
• Quick learner-gets up to speed on systems/processes
• Experience with client invoicing, vendor payments, and company credit card reconciliation
• Highly skilled in time management to facilitate involvement in multiple projects
• Be able to actively listen, have the capability to instill confidence in clients and colleagues, and present information with confidence
• Be able to take direction and work well with others and problem solve.
• 10-15% travel may be required
• Passion for industry and goal to grow career
• Must be able to lawfully work within the US and have unrestricted work authorization for US
  
  

Going the Extra Mile

• Cvent certified
• CertificationinMeetingPlanner(CMP)isaplus
• Have more than 3 years of international program planning experience
• Pharma Planning Experience is a plus
  
  

Benefits Onboard

In addition to Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits Direct Travel offers an employee rewards and recognitions program, Total Rewards Package which includes Wellness, Sustainability, DE&I initiatives, and Mental Health Support.

Our Brand Voyage: Direct Travel

Direct Travel is a leading provider of corporate travel management services. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and innovative solutions, Direct Travel enables clients to derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of superior service, progressive technologies, and significant cost savings. The company is led by CEO Christal Bemont and Executive Chairman Steve Singh, noted business investor and founder of Concur. Direct Travel has offices in over 80 locations and is currently ranked among the top providers of travel on Travel Weekly’s Power List. For more information, visit www.dt.com .

Direct Travel is an EOE/AA/Veteran/People with Disabilities employer

If you're ready to chart a new course and advance your career with the valuable moments and travel experiences that await, we welcome you to submit your resume for consideration at Direct Travel.