Event Contract & Vendor Manager
Description
THE ORGANIZATION
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a high-quality support network of 18,000 business founders and owners in 220 chapters and 76 countries worldwide. EO’s purpose is to move the world forward by unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurs. Since 1987, EO has helped entrepreneurs achieve transformational growth through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. Guided by EO’s core values: trust and respect, thirst for learning, think big, be bold, and together we grow, EO’s international staff collaborates successfully across diverse cultures. As an EO employee, you will gain access to the world’s top experts in entrepreneurship, grow beyond your perceived limits, and make breakthroughs as you refine and realize your personal goals. EO’s competitive total rewards package, flexible work environment, and generous professional development resources are frequently cited as among the most popular benefits of working at EO.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Manager, Procurment for EO's Meetings & Events team is a key player in building and maintaining strategic relationships across the organization and with vendors, suppliers, and venues worldwide. This role is responsible for ensuring the best value and quality for EO's meetings and events, both domestically and internationally. This person will be responsible for contract management and negotiation in the initial planning phase for events and meetings, and will be responsible for long-term vendor management.
Supporting up to 60 meetings and events annually, the Manager leverages global sourcing strategies and deep knowledge of international markets to achieve cost efficiencies while ensuring top-tier service and delivery. This position plays a critical role in navigating the complexities of cross-border procurement, ensuring that EO’s events meet immediate and long-term organizational needs in diverse cultural and geographical contexts.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Brings cost efficiencies through a strategic approach to resourcing meetings and events across the organization, with a focus on both domestic and international markets.
- Writes and manages effective RFPs for event organizers, venues, vendors, and suppliers, ensuring global and local compliance and best practices.
- Executes contracting and negotiation strategies to secure the most competitive rates and favorable terms for recurring and one-off meetings and events, both in the U.S. and abroad.
- Develops and manages a preferred vendor list for meeting and event types around the globe, leveraging relationships with international and domestic partners.
- Creates and manages a comprehensive tracking system for vendors, suppliers, and venues, monitoring their bids and performance for EO events and meetings worldwide.
- Reviews standard vendor, supplier, and venue contracts to ensure the most favorable pricing and payment terms and conditions for the organization, with a keen understanding of international contract law and negotiation techniques.
- Provides reports to senior leadership monthly, quarterly, and annually on procurement activity, highlighting both domestic and international successes and challenges.
- Collaborates with stakeholders to understand event and meeting needs across the organization, including navigating the logistical and regulatory challenges of international events.
- Communicates regularly, proactively, and collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment and understanding of global procurement strategies.
- Provides guidance and training for staff attending EO events, with special attention to international travel, cultural sensitivities, and global best practices.
- Travels internationally as required for vendor, venue, and event due diligence (up to 15 times per year), ensuring the seamless execution of global meetings and events.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
- Bachelor's degree in any field or equivalent work experience may be considered.
- Minimum 5+ years of professional experience in procurement, contract management or meeting planning.
- Experience in reporting on data, working with project management tools, and contract management systems.
- Proven expertise in competitive procurement, contract negotiations, event vendor management, and sourcing hotels for large-scale events.
- Experience in both international and domestic event planning, including managing logistics and coordinating with global venues and suppliers.
- Ability to interact with global and international community.
- Strong people skills with a track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with vendors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job.
- Exercises confidentiality and discretion.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to create and manage tracking systems for contracts and vendor relationships.
- Masters nuanced communicative style in a multi-cultural context.
- Maintains a positive attitude; and builds networks organically.
- Highly detail-oriented, with a commitment to ensuring the highest quality of service and delivery.
- Proactive and flexible with a growth mindset, eager to learn, and driven to grow.
ADA Specifications
- Ability to travel domestically, internationally, and work in a fast paced and global complex environment.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the role.