Meetings and Travel - Meetings Sourcing Manager

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

• Responsible for generating savings by leveraging spend and reducing costs for ABA Meetings. Conducts site research and contract negotiations for 75-90 meeting contracts annually. Maximizes the value of strategic supplier business relationships through defined process management and provides knowledgeable assistance to assigned ABA entities from the sourcing phase and RFP creation, through contract negotiation. Utilizes consolidated buying strategies to maximize the benefits for assigned ABA entities. Acts as an expert resource to ABA entities in vendor negotiations, the contracting process and final procurement.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Conducts detailed research of specific destinations and/or hotel properties; preparation of extensive Request for Proposals (RFPs) sent to national sales organizations and convention and visitors bureau representatives.
• Creates detailed reports outlining availability and proposals from each hotel researched and recommends the most acceptable location. Identifies promotions, multi-year volume discounts, and recommends new hotels/resorts.
• Educates entity meeting planners on industry trends, meeting destinations and hotel products to ensure that the goals and budgets of the entity meeting are met.
• Negotiates room rates and concessions directly with the hotel. Prepares ABA Letters of Agreement.
• Working with the service provider, is accountable for resolving service, quality, and contract disputes.
• Maintains contacts with hotel salespeople, convention and visitor bureau representatives and hotel national sales offices to remain current on hotel properties that will best serve the needs of the ABA.
• Arranges site inspection trips for ABA Staff and/or Section Chairs to destinations under their consideration.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and at least 5 years of meeting planning experience for an organization that routinely hosts conventions and/or meetings.
• At least 3 years of negotiating experience with hotel, catering, venue and meetings/events vendors including pricing, performance guarantees, terms and conditions.
• At least 3 years’ experience with on-site venue management before, during and after events to ensure efficient operation, attendee satisfaction, contract compliance, physical security/safety, and an environment conducive to gaining the goals of the event and enhancing the image of the sponsoring organization.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and at least 5 years of meeting planning experience for an organization that routinely hosts conventions and/or meetings.
• At least 3 years of negotiating experience with hotel, catering, venue and meetings/events vendors including pricing, performance guarantees, terms and conditions.
• At least 3 years’ experience with on-site venue management before, during and after events to ensure efficient operation, attendee satisfaction, contract compliance, physical security/safety, and an environment conducive to gaining the goals of the event and enhancing the image of the sponsoring organization.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a CMP certification as issued by the Convention Industry Council. Previous meeting planning experience in a not-for-profit, NGO, or Association environment.

Physical Requirements

• Typical office work environment.

Extent of Travel Required in the Job

• As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 35% of the time.