Meeting Planner

Job Description Summary

Uses knowledge and skills obtained through education and experience to manage domestic meetings. Works under general direction with moderate autonomy to lead meetings with significant business impact. Integrates strategic business processes into all projects (strategy, objectives, metrics for success, operational planning, on-site execution, outcomes, and return on investment) to provide optimal results. Extensive contact with the leadership of the various business units and departments of Raymond James Financial is required to perform the functions of this job.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consults with internal stakeholders on vision, budgetary requirements, and overall objectives of educational meetings and investor conferences to maximize return on investment.
• Responsible for developing, maintaining, and reporting budgets of up to 1 million dollars.
• Manages all aspects of medium to large, complex programs (up to 4,000 attendees) through their entire lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, closure).
• Cultivates and develops relationships with key personnel in other business units, including procurement, marketing, accounting, office services, and risk operations, as well as a host of external vendors.
• Creates key communications, digital and print, for executives and attendees.
• Ensures that meeting expenditures and other post-meeting data are maintained in the meeting planning database.
• Manages air processes with an in-house travel agency to include lift analysis, approved travelers’ lists, manifest coordination, and overall trip approvals, as needed. 
• Prepares and delivers written and oral presentations to stakeholders.
• Reviews, negotiates, and administers contracts with hotels and other suppliers. 
• Manages time with the ability to effectively balance multiple events at different stages.
• Maintains currency in meeting planning methodologies.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills:

• Intermediate-level concepts, practices and procedures of meeting and event planning.
• Microsoft Office suite.
• Corporate travel policies.
• Online registration systems and database management.
• Strong reasoning and decision-making to compose recommendations on the direction and scope of meetings.
• Written and verbal communications in order to professionally address a wide and varied audience both internally and externally.
• Project management to successfully complete long term projects.
• Organizational and time management skills to best handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
• Basic accounting principles.
• Providing a high level of customer service.
• Independently manage work projects.
• Negotiate with external vendors.
• Create, manage and adhere to budgets up to 1 million dollars.
• Handle multiple tasks and projects.
• Identify problems and create effective solutions.
• Quickly construct effective contingency plans.
• Articulate reasons behind decisions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Meeting Professional or ability to obtain certification.

Education

Bachelor’s: Business Administration, Bachelor’s: Hospitality, Bachelor’s: Marketing

Work Experience

General Experience - 7 to 12 months

Certifications

Travel

Less than 25%

Workstyle

Hybrid

The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave.  Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 
We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs. 

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