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SalaryAt Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve the world’s most challenging problems, like designing a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for our communities and cities.
Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” motto promotes integrated teams that unite to shape the future of cities. Gensler’s vision is to “Create a Better World through the Power of Design,” and we do that by our deep commitment to our clients and by fostering a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment that enables our people to create impactful solutions together.
Your Role
As the Global Meetings and Events Director at Gensler, you will be part of the firm’s Operations & Integration Studio based in Washington, DC. You will plan and execute corporate Events and Meetings, leading teams from the initial conception of the event/meeting to its successful completion. This role requires excellent corporate event-planning skills along with the ability to define project milestones and deadlines and coordinate both internal teams and external contractors to ensure a successful and enjoyable event that meets the firm’s organizational goals and expectations.
You will need to be an entrepreneurially minded professional that exhibits strong relationship building-skills and can bring various stakeholders and team members together to design, develop, and manage the firm’s key leadership events, meetings, and travel initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic, open, and collaborative environment.
Your internal clients will include executive leadership, architects, designers, and business operations team members across the firm. The ideal candidate for this position will need to balance creativity with logistics, financial planning, and vendor management duties. You should excel at multitasking and balancing big-picture ideas like venue selection with details like room and A/V set up, décor and meal planning, while effectively utilizing resources and personnel to stage Events and Meetings of various sizes and types (e.g. in person or virtual). Hotel negotiations and managing variable attendee counts and attrition are also part of the role.
You are excited about connecting with people from around the world and diverse cultures; and eager to create experiences for others, from executing well-planned events to curating inspired global conversations. Above all, you are passionate about and committed to creating exceptional meeting experiences for our team members.
What You Will Do
You will be responsible for all aspects of the firm’s events, meetings, and travel. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Collaborating with Co-CEOs, executive leadership, and other global leaders to develop meeting formats, programs, and event concepts for the firm’s mid-size to large-format leadership Events and Meetings
- Producing and directing the operations of all Events and Meetings to include directing internal team members, third party consultants, and venue and hotel staff, coordinating all technical and production aspects. Securing venues and equipment for all Events and Meetings.
- Direct responsibility for securing and managing all travel vendor contracts and partnerships. Responsible for all event, meetings, and transient travel related business operations
- Responsible for the production and delivery of event/meeting run of show, site specifications, staff specifications, event rehearsal schedules and all other event production schedules
- Create, negotiate, and maintain event/meeting calendar mindful of the firm’s overall annual calendar and industry events taking place over the course of the year
- Act as on-site event floor producer, attending event rehearsals and overseeing show rundowns to solve any technical errors or event issues
- Drive event and meeting analysis, identifying key metrics to qualify value and results of Events and Meetings
- Responsible for developing and overseeing the event, meetings, and travel budgets
- Responsible for negotiating all key event, meeting and travel contracts for best quality and value
- Direct oversight of the Meetings and Events team
Your Qualifications
- 10+ years of event, meeting, and travel experience supporting large conventions
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Hospitality, or related field. Masters in Communication is a plus
- Background in production
- Must have experience with corporate meeting planning experience
- CVENT knowledge and direct experience is required
- Proven project management capabilities
- Knowledge of current industry trends, pricing, attendee experience, sustainability goals, and technology
- Certification focused on providing exceptional event experiences preferred
- Confidence to create unique Events and try new things
- Exceptional attention to detail and an appreciation for the overall design of the event experience
- Superior contract negotiation skills
- Ability to forecast hotel room counts/nights based on anticipated attendee counts and ability to monitor and manage attrition
- Ability to work effectively in a high pressure, high stakes environment and thrive when faced with unplanned challenge
- Significant experience and ability to plan and execute events in different countries of varying size and scope.
- A/V and technology skills, including Cvent platform a plus
- Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is desirable
- Ability to foster relationships across a broad spectrum of talent and lead with influence
Life at Gensler
Gensler is committed to
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
. Through our Five Strategies to Fight Racism, we continue to create a just and equitable future for our colleagues and our communities with our clients. We are a solid voice for social change as we impact people’s lives and fight racism. At Gensler, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment. At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
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