Sr. Manager, MICE Operations

Internova Travel Group•Remote,

5d•$64,570 - $105,936•Remote

About The Position

ALTOUR Meetings & Events is a multi-award winning global meetings and events company delivering innovative and powerful experiences for the world’s biggest brands. We are the meetings and events division of ALTOUR, an Internova Travel Group company. Our parent company, Internova Travel Group, is one of the largest travel services companies in the world. The Sr. Manager, US Operations plays a pivotal leadership role, directly influencing the strategic direction and operational efficiency of the Sourcing and/or Meeting Planning teams. This role involves developing high-level strategies to ensure our process is ever-evolving to meet the needs of our global customers. The role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of the Sourcing and/or Meeting Planning teams, ensuring that all events are executed flawlessly and in alignment with company standards and client expectations. This role involves managing a team of meeting planners, coordinators, and procurement specialists, and requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations, excellent interpersonal skills, and a passion for leading teams and delighting clients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Meetings & Events.
Minimum of ten years experience in venue sourcing/contracting and/or meeting planning; at least 2 of which as a people leader.
Strong skills in building and maintaining client relationships.
Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and ensure deadlines are met.
Strong analytical skills to identify issues and implement effective solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proven track record of managing vendor relationships.
Familiarity with Salesforce and Smartsheet are required.
Solutions-based attitude with an aptitude for innovation
Ability to travel up to 25% of time

Nice To Haves

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as a key strategic partner in shaping the direction of the US Operations team to align with our long-term goals and objectives.
Lead initiatives to enhance operational processes, increase efficiency, and implement best practices that contribute to the growth and profitability of the business.
Identify emerging trends and innovations within the meetings and events industry, recommending and integrating cutting-edge solutions that will enhance service offerings and client satisfaction.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
Conduct regular 1:1’s and annual performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and implement professional development plans to enhance team capabilities.
Manage team schedules, workloads, and resources to optimize efficiency and productivity.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members.
Work with HR to address and resolve employee conflicts and issues promptly and effectively.
Attend and keep up with HR trainings and ensure staff compliance with annual goals, training, compliance training and other requirements as needed.
Work closely with the team to build and maintain strong relationships with key client contacts and event owners.
Serve as an escalation point of contact for clients, ensuring their needs and expectations are exceeded.
Act of the primary point of contact for client concerns and resolve issues promptly, working to solve any challenges that may arise during the event planning and execution process.
Collaborate with account management teams to identify opportunities to enhance client satisfaction and account profitability.
Proactively identify opportunities to improve client satisfaction and deliver value-added services.
Lead and oversee the sourcing and/or planning and execution of meetings and events, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and budget.
Work to develop and implement operational policies and procedures to streamline processes and improve service delivery.
Monitor and analyze operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, industry standards, and company policies.
The primary resource responsible for the management of financials and budgets related to event operations, ensuring that all projects meet or exceed departmental and client goals.
Ensure accuracy in invoicing and financial reporting, closing out projects in accordance with defined timelines and procedures.
Audit financial records on a monthly and quarterly basis.
Lead and support the sourcing team in developing supplier strategies and negotiating favorable pricing, contract terms, and agreements that drive cost savings and deliver business value.
Manage and maintain the on-site travel director database and lead the contracting process to ensure accurate records, compliance, and effective resource planning.
Collaborate to prepare and present regular reports on operational performance, event metrics, and client satisfaction.
Analyze data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement within the operations team.
Provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership based on data-driven analysis of event outcomes and operational performance.