Sr. Planner, Conferences Vendor Partnerships

Gartner • Irving, TX

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Planner, Vendor Partnerships role supports the delivery of Gartner’s conference services sourcing strategy. The role collaborates with internal conference stakeholders to establish scope requirements, negotiate cost-effective solutions, and project manage vendor sourcing activities. It focuses on securing favorable contract terms, building vendor relationships, and supporting successful conference services delivery.

The planner helps evaluate and select vendors by assessing capabilities, commercial models, service quality, pricing, risks, and strategic fit. The role coordinates contract management from end to end, including timelines, deliverables, approvals, and execution. It also supports global vendor consolidation, ongoing contract governance, and vendor performance improvements. The position synthesizes business, financial, operational, and vendor data into recommendations and executive materials to support leadership decisions.

The role is hybrid and may require approximately 10–15% annual domestic and international travel. Gartner describes its work environment as flexible, with virtual work when productive and in-person collaboration with colleagues. The stated base salary range is USD 55,000–83,000, with eligibility for either an annual bonus plan or a role-based sales incentive plan. Gartner also mentions generous PTO, a 401(k) match, and the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 3 years of event management experience, including end-to-end event management, is preferred.
• Extensive onsite conference experience.
• Basic understanding of contract negotiation, vendor management, and the procurement life cycle.
• Experience analyzing cost drivers, pricing changes, and scope impacts to support business decisions.
• Broad experience managing vendor relationships; experience with Requests for Proposal (RFPs) is preferred in the posting’s description of relevant experience.
• Ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, and drive results.
• Strong time management and multitasking skills, with a high sense of urgency and prioritization.
• Collaborative mindset and eagerness to build relationships.
• Developing project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to travel as needed, approximately 10–15% annually, domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal stakeholders, including logistics, exhibitor operations, financial management, and procurement, to understand business needs.
• Understand business context, market dynamics, and the vendor landscape to help define complex requirements and identify vendors capable of supporting Gartner’s conference strategy.
• Support vendor analysis and selection by assessing capabilities, commercial models, service quality, pricing, risks, and strategic fit.
• Follow Gartner’s contract processes and policies, and negotiate vendor pricing and business terms to minimize risk and improve value.
• Coordinate end-to-end contract management, driving timelines, deliverables, and approvals to support timely execution.
• Build strong internal and external relationships, maintain high-quality standards, meet company expectations, and keep communication open.
• Support global conference services vendor consolidation by streamlining the vendor base and identifying opportunities to leverage spend, purchasing power, and relationships.
• Contribute to continuous improvement through contract governance and vendor management.
• Collaborate with onsite planners and conference teams to gather performance feedback, identify recurring issues, and ensure practices are adjusted as needed.
• Synthesize complex business, financial, operational, and vendor data into recommendations and executive materials supporting leadership alignment and approval.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• 401(k) match up to $7,200 per year.
• Opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan, as applicable.
• Hybrid work flexibility, including virtual work when productive.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior