Senior Event Planner-Hotel & Venue Contracting

Unionwide•Annapolis, MD

About The Position

Unionwide is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Senior Event Planner with deep expertise in large-scale hotel and venue contracting. This role is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing complex event agreements for conferences, corporate meetings, incentive programs, and high-profile live events. The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized, commercially minded, and skilled at navigating multi-property negotiations while delivering seamless event execution.

Requirements

5+ years of senior-level event planning experience with significant hotel and venue contracting responsibility
Proven success negotiating large and complex hospitality contracts
Strong understanding of hotel operations, conference services, and meeting logistics
Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills
Ability to analyze contract language and identify operational or financial risks
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and deadline management
Experience managing large budgets and high-volume event portfolios
Proficiency in event management platforms, Microsoft 365, and budgeting tools

Nice To Haves

CMP, CMM, or related certifications are a plus
Knowledge of Cvent and Passkey's software with RFPs, Registration, and Housing Management
Labor Union conferences and national meetings
Multi-city programs and citywide conventions
Hotel and resort contracting
Large attendee room block management
Production and audiovisual coordination
Executive and VIP event management

Responsibilities

Lead venue sourcing and contract negotiations for large-scale meetings, conferences, and corporate events
Manage complex hotel and convention center agreements including guest room blocks, meeting space, attrition, cancellation, force majeure, concessions, F&B minimums, and AV requirements
Develop and maintain strong relationships with hotels, convention centers, resorts, and hospitality partners
Negotiate favorable pricing, terms, upgrades, and concessions to maximize client and company value
Coordinate all venue logistics from initial RFP through final billing reconciliation
Oversee event timelines, budgets, and operational deliverables to ensure flawless execution
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, vendors, production teams, and clients to align event objectives and logistics
Review and mitigate contractual risk while ensuring compliance with company standards and event requirements
Manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments
Travel as needed to conduct site inspections, attend events, and manage on-site operations