Sr. Planner, Conferences Vendor Partnerships
About The Position
The Senior Planner, Vendor Partnerships role is essential to delivering Gartner’s conference services sourcing strategy. The position works with internal conference stakeholders to define scope requirements, negotiate cost-effective solutions, and manage vendor sourcing activities. It focuses on securing favorable contract terms, establishing vendor relationships, and supporting successful conference services delivery. The role supports vendor assessment and selection, contract negotiations and execution, vendor consolidation, and ongoing contract governance and performance management. It also synthesizes business, financial, operational, and vendor information into recommendations and executive materials. The position requires approximately 10–15% annual domestic and international travel. Gartner describes its work arrangement as hybrid, with flexibility to work virtually when productive and in person with colleagues.
Requirements
- At least 3 years of event management experience, including end-to-end event management.
- Extensive onsite conference experience.
- Basic understanding of contract negotiation, vendor management, and the overall procurement lifecycle.
- Experience analyzing cost drivers, pricing changes, and scope impacts to support business decisions.
- Broad experience managing vendor relationships, preferably including Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree (preferred).
- Experience with Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
Responsibilities
- Partner with logistics, exhibitor operations, financial management, procurement, and other internal stakeholders to understand business needs, market dynamics, vendor landscape, and complex requirements.
- Support vendor analysis and selection by assessing capabilities, commercial models, service quality, pricing, risks, and strategic fit.
- Follow Gartner contract processes and policies and negotiate vendor pricing and business terms to reduce risk and improve value while reflecting market and operational realities.
- Coordinate end-to-end contract management, including timelines, deliverables, and approvals, to support timely contract execution.
- Build strong internal and external relationships, maintain communication, and help ensure high-quality standards and company expectations are met.
- Support global conference-services vendor consolidation by streamlining the vendor base and identifying opportunities to leverage Gartner’s spend, purchasing power, and vendor relationships.
- Contribute to continuous improvement through contract governance and vendor management; gather vendor performance feedback from onsite planners and conference teams, identify recurring issues, and follow up on adjustments.
- Synthesize complex business, financial, operational, and vendor data into recommendations and executive materials to support leadership alignment and approval of vendor partnership strategies.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off (PTO).
- 401(k) match up to $7,200 per year.
- Opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
- World-class benefits and highly competitive compensation.
- Participation in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan, as applicable.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
