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Smithbucklin, a 100 percent employee-owned association management company, is looking for a Sourcing Manager to join the Events Services team in our Chicago or Washington D.C. office.
In this role, you will work with Event Directors and Conference Leads on behalf of our clients as the sourcing lead on 50-75 programs worldwide on an annual basis. You will guide client leads through the sourcing process, add insights and value to help them make an informed decision and negotiate the hotel and convention center contracts with concessions and terms aligned to the client's objectives.
The Sourcing Manager is responsible for all aspects of sourcing and contracting event venues including managing the timeline and process with both internal and external stakeholders, reviewing, and creating RFPs, evaluating results, communicating with venues and negotiating all contract terms.
What you will do..
Qualifications
Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferrable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
Smithbucklin, a 100 percent employee-owned association management company, is looking for a Sourcing Manager to join the Events Services team in our Chicago or Washington D.C. office.
In this role, you will work with Event Directors and Conference Leads on behalf of our clients as the sourcing lead on 50-75 programs worldwide on an annual basis. You will guide client leads through the sourcing process, add insights and value to help them make an informed decision and negotiate the hotel and convention center contracts with concessions and terms aligned to the client's objectives.
The Sourcing Manager is responsible for all aspects of sourcing and contracting event venues including managing the timeline and process with both internal and external stakeholders, reviewing, and creating RFPs, evaluating results, communicating with venues and negotiating all contract terms.
What you will do..
- Develop sourcing solutions that are tailored and relevant to client needs to support the overall event outcome achievement.
- Recommend and guide clients on the timing of searches, concessions, and contract terms to maximize event outcomes.
- Act as main point of contact with venues, ensures all milestones are clearly communicated and met with internal and external stakeholders.
- Initiate RFP process to secure appropriate room blocks, logistical event needs, and pricing from hotels and convention centers.
- Track supplier option dates and follows-up with team members and venues of program status.
- Negotiate critical program components based on client requirements from initial request through contract completion and turnover.
- Proactively negotiate prices, concessions, and contract terms.
- Follow internal standard operating procedures for all sourcing activity, including use of Smithbucklin contract and amendment templates.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in project, event, or meeting management, at least 3 in sourcing/purchasing role.
- Experience with international meeting venue sourcing and event management a plus.
- Familiarity with domestic and international venues, facilities, convention centers and convention city hotel packages.
- Proven negotiation skills and prior successful experience in developing and maintaining key client and supplier relationships.
- Effective communication skills to present and guide decision making of stakeholders and ability to negotiate successfully on behalf of the client.
- Proven aptitude for technology and/or software solutions and analytical skills. Experience sourcing in CVENT is required.
- Proficiency with basic computer programming, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferrable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
