Senior Specialist, Meeting Planning

Prudential Financial • Newark, NJ

1d • $89,000 - $147,000

About The Position

We are seeking a highly organized and experienced Meeting Planner to oversee the entire life cycle of meetings, conferences, and special events. This role involves managing event logistics, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and ensuring successful planning and execution from start to finish.

Requirements

• Minimum five to seven years prior corporate meeting and conference planning experience.
• Possess extensive understanding of hospitality industry, how it operates, how it is organized and how to manage through the system efficiently and effectively.
• Domestic and international destination knowledge.
• Ability to cultivate strong relationships with key business partners and vendors.
• Persuasive communication skills and ability to exercise diplomacy consistently.
• Strong organization and time management skills; ability to remain flexible and prioritize effectively; capacity to manage multiple priorities meeting deadlines and responding to changing priorities.
• Judgment and problem-solving skills to resolve unique and/or unanticipated problems.
• Work strategically to negotiate and leverage spend.
• Effective verbal and written communications.
• Maintain composure and professionalism during stressful situations.
• Creativity and effective strategic thinking.
• Ability to “think outside the box” and be a change agent.
• Initiative, strong work ethic and ownership of work.
• High ethical standards; ability to maintain integrity in questionable situations.
• Ability to make sound decisions.
• Team player, but able to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Actively involved in the meetings/hospitality profession, with established professional relationships with vendors.
• Personal computer skills including proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Flexibility to work additional hours when needed.
• Travel required.
• Weekend and holiday travel will be necessary at times.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of the Insurance and Financial Services and IRS regulations as they relate to meetings and conferences a plus.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) strongly preferred, with the expectation that the successful candidate will need to obtain this designation within 18 months.
• Working knowledge of Cvent or other online meeting management applications a plus, with the expectation the successful candidate will complete training within two months and mastery of the system within six months.

Responsibilities

• Management and development of all logistical components associated with meetings and conferences.
• On-site leadership of meetings and conferences.
• Evaluation and procurement of outside resources within budget.
• Development and ongoing management of meeting/conference budgets and reconciliation.
• Negotiation of complex vendor agreements.
• Collaboration with teams in the development and delivery of meetings and conferences.

Benefits

• Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%).
• Company-funded pension plan.
• Wellness Programs including up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs.
• Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.
• Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period), after one year of service.
• Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed