Manager, Business Meetings & Conferences
National Association of REALTORS®, Chicago, IL, United States
Position Summary
Manage end-to-end strategy, contracting, planning, and execution for business meetings, conferences, and special events for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). This role ensures seamless collaboration across internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and strategically aligned member experiences.
Responsibilities include hotel and facility contracting, site selection, meeting logistics, budget oversight, vendor management, risk mitigation, and on-site execution for multiple meetings annually.
Meeting Planning & Event Management
Manage planning and execution of assigned business meetings, conferences, and events in alignment with NAR objectives
Manage meetings primarily within hotel environments with full operational oversight
Partner with internal stakeholders to translate business objectives into executable meeting plans
Oversee meetings from contract execution through on-site delivery and post-event recap
Assess and manage room block and meeting space requirements based on meeting history and attendee behavior
Develop and maintain meeting documentation, including specifications, resumes, function sheets, and BEOs
Support on-site execution and contribute to post-event evaluations
Financial Management, P&L Ownership
Develop, manage, and monitor meeting budgets
Forecast event expenses and track financial performance against projections
Review, reconcile, and approve invoices and final billing
Vendor & Contract Management
Negotiate hotel and facility contracts to ensure favorable terms and cost efficiency
Lead site selection and RFP processes
Manage vendor relationships, including audiovisual, transportation, and destination management companies (DMCs)
Enforce contract compliance and service-level agreements
Qualifications
5+ years of experience in meetings and conference management
Proven experience negotiating hotel and vendor contracts
Strong financial acumen with demonstrated project management skills
Proficiency with event technology platforms and Microsoft Office
Compensation: $95,000-$115,000 depending on office location.
NAR provides comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance. NAR is on a hybrid schedule and in the office 3 days a week.
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Responsibilities include hotel and facility contracting, site selection, meeting logistics, budget oversight, vendor management, risk mitigation, and on-site execution for multiple meetings annually.
Meeting Planning & Event Management
Manage planning and execution of assigned business meetings, conferences, and events in alignment with NAR objectives
Manage meetings primarily within hotel environments with full operational oversight
Partner with internal stakeholders to translate business objectives into executable meeting plans
Oversee meetings from contract execution through on-site delivery and post-event recap
Assess and manage room block and meeting space requirements based on meeting history and attendee behavior
Develop and maintain meeting documentation, including specifications, resumes, function sheets, and BEOs
Support on-site execution and contribute to post-event evaluations
Financial Management, P&L Ownership
Develop, manage, and monitor meeting budgets
Forecast event expenses and track financial performance against projections
Review, reconcile, and approve invoices and final billing
Vendor & Contract Management
Negotiate hotel and facility contracts to ensure favorable terms and cost efficiency
Lead site selection and RFP processes
Manage vendor relationships, including audiovisual, transportation, and destination management companies (DMCs)
Enforce contract compliance and service-level agreements
Qualifications
5+ years of experience in meetings and conference management
Proven experience negotiating hotel and vendor contracts
Strong financial acumen with demonstrated project management skills
Proficiency with event technology platforms and Microsoft Office
Compensation: $95,000-$115,000 depending on office location.
NAR provides comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance. NAR is on a hybrid schedule and in the office 3 days a week.
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