ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, GLOBAL CONFERENCES VENUE STRATEGY & SELECTION

Description Responsible for leading the venue selection strategy and contract business terms negotiations for the Destination Conferences portfolio globally.
Leadership of two direct reports to provide strategic direction of both host and overflow venue contracts, including the housing requirements and implementation guidance for citywide conferences.
Tasks include collaboration with Conference Operations team to determine conference requirements, securing optimal space to maximize conference success with multi-year scope, build and continually maintain strong relationships with venues, and negotiate agreements that deliver best in class value and cost savings to the organization.
Execute on multiple, simultaneous projects while managing team member growth and development.
Primary Responsibilities.
Lead venue RFPs for the Destination Conferences Portfolio, consisting of large conferences ranging from attendees featuring exhibitions and multi-track content delivery models while understanding the needs of the audience and identifying solutions to complex space requirements to source suitable venue options that support our strategy.
Directly manage venue contract strategy for North America, Latin America & APAC regions.
Oversight of venue contracts in EMEA and India regions led by the VSS Sr.
Manager (direct report).
Oversight global overflow hotel contracts led by the VSS Housing Strategy Sr.
Manager (direct report).
Directional guidance and support on global housing strategy with forecasting analysis on selling pace and booking patterns to support operational implementation by the Housing Team.
Responsible for global relationship management with key venue stakeholders and all contract and negotiation strategies.
  Develop strong relationships with hotel contacts to ensure quality standard at meetings is maintained, company expectations are met, and lines of communication are open to share feedback and build partnerships.
Participate in industry events to maintain key relationships and best position the Gartner brand.
Lead recommendations for complex problem solving with key stakeholders and decision makers in the organization.
Collaborate with delivery operations teams to identify key priorities and develop best all-in strategy to meet each of those priorities within the dates and space available at the venue being considered.
Management and selection of ideal venues by incorporating multiple stakeholder priorities to develop a strategic analysis to assist with decision making.
Deliver strategic venue presentations to leadership stakeholders to gather contract buy-in.
Lead contracting process including the negotiation of pricing and business terms for space requirements and access times and room block build while minimizing the risk to Gartner and delivering contract value, e.
., savings and concessions.
  Leverage companywide buying power to ensure company is receiving the best options at the most affordable costs.
Extensive knowledge of room block builds, hotel operations, and ability to drive forward best in class rooms-only agreements with risk mitigation and concessions for city-wide planning strategy both in North America and global markets.
Strive for continuous improvement through ongoing contract and venue management - continually re-evaluate agreements post contracting and collaborate with onsite planners to capture venue feedback.
Where necessary, follow through to ensure practices are adjusted accordingly and execute amendments to facilitate operational success.
Exceptional project management including ownership of timelines and templates and accurately track, evaluate results, and report on overall project goals.
Fluid task management to respond with a high sense of urgency when re-prioritization is needed.
Self-driven project work with heavy focus on data interpretation and delivery of analysis and interpretation to leadership level audience to offer unique insights and support confident decision making.
Smartsheet database maintenance to ensure organized contract management and easy reporting capabilities.
Continuously inform leadership on new and/or expanding venue opportunities, renovations, and industry updates.
Qualifications.
Bachelor’s degree preferred 10+ years event management experience incl.
end-to-end event management Hotel Group sales experience preferred in large group property with contract negotiation and revenue management insight Extensive venue sourcing experience with contract negotiation and budget management oversight Team leadership role with extensive hotel knowledge for North America market and awareness of regional differences Confident, client-focused team player with exceptional relationship and collaboration skills and superior customer service.
Excellent written and oral communication, financial management, time management, and project management skills.
Self-motivated and innovative strategic thinker.
Problem solver with solution-oriented approach and meticulous attention to detail.
Excellent executive presence to carry forward and influence senior leadership decisions.
Fully competent in Microsoft office, especially PPT and Excel.
Smartsheet and Cvent knowledge preferred.
Outstanding operational effectiveness and results orientation (including scalable and consistent processes).
#ConferencesOperations Who are we? At Gartner, Inc.
(NYSE.
IT), we deliver actionable, objective insight that drives smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization’s mission-critical priorities.
We’ve grown exponentially since our founding in and we're proud to have over associates globally that support over client enterprises in more than 100 countries.
What makes Gartner a great place to work? Our teams are composed of individuals from different geographies, cultures, religions, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and generations.
We believe that a diversity of experiences makes us stronger—as individuals, as communities and as an organization.
That’s why we're recognized worldwide as a great place to work year after year.
We've been recognized by Fortune as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies, named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index and a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index.
Looking for a place to turn your big ideas into reality? Join #LifeAtGartner What we offer.
Our people are our most valuable asset, so we invest in them from Day 1.
When you join our team, you’ll have access to a vast array of benefits to help you live your life well.
These resources are designed to support your physical, financial and emotional well-being.
We encourage continued personal and professional growth through ongoing learning and development opportunities.
Our employee resource groups, charity match and volunteer programs keep you connected to your internal Gartner community and causes that matter to you.
The policy of Gartner is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status and to affirmatively seek to advance the principles of equal employment opportunity.
Gartner is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Company’s career webpage as a result of your disability.
You may request reasonable accommodations by calling Human Resources at + or by sending an email to  .
Job Requisition ID.
By submitting your information and application, you confirm that you have read and agree to the country or regional recruitment notice linked below applicable to your place of residence.
Gartner Applicant Privacy Link.
https://jobs.
artner.
om/applicant-privacy-policy For efficient navigation through the application, please only use the back button within the application, not the back arrow within your browser.