Program Manager (Meeting Planner, Life Sciences Meetings)

About Us:

At BCD Meetings & Events (BCD M&E), we provide more than meeting and event planning services: we create connections that inspire, motivate and change behavior for our customers. As the world’s most trusted and innovative meetings and events agency, BCD M&E cultivates a culture of people, passion and purpose to drive business forward. 

Headquartered in Chicago, with locations in 50+ countries across the world, BCD M&E’s team of 1,800+ people are committed to sustainability and driving success for our customers, our business and ourselves. Our values are at the heart of everything we do, and we look for people that want to be a part of something special, can rise to our standards and love to bring their unique perspective to the table.

While we can’t guarantee every day will be the best (who can?), we can promise a community of people who genuinely care and lead with empathy, a flexible workplace with awesome perks and challenging work that means something. 

See what life is about at BCD M&E at bcdme.com/careers

About the role:

We are looking for a Program Manager to join our dynamic life sciences team. In this client facing role, you will act as the event planning lead and project manager to manage events both onsite at client headquarters, and in off-campus venues. You will collaborate with peers and vendors alike to ensure each event is executed flawlessly from site selection to registration, to room set & menu planning through onsite execution, budget reconciliation and everything in between. You keep projects running on time, on budget, and have mastered the art of managing multiple priorities at once. Sound like you? Read on!

As a Meeting Planner you will:

• Have full responsibility for the overall end-to-end planning of life science meetings, internal client meetings onsite at client headquarters, as well as conferences, conventions, and other moderate complexity meetings and events.
• Core Responsibilities will include, meeting planning, attendee management, working in technology tools, client communication, supplier management and compliance.
• Act as the main point of contact for your client, and ensure all milestones are clearly communicated and met. Be consultative in your approach. Afterall, you are an expert in event management.
• Work with your client and peers on procuring an ideal venue or site location for each event, including the client headquarters campus.
• Build, monitor and maintain concise and accurate event budgets. Think outside of the box on creative cost savings ideas. Negotiate vendor contracts and build long lasting partnerships.
• Partner with your team mates to create clear & simple attendee communications and registration websites. Create a well-timed and accurate communication plan.
• Communicate effectively with all hotel & vendor partners. You will be responsible for hotel rooms, designing and communicating room sets, AV/Production needs, offsite events, ground transportation, and signage (and more!).
• Ensure everyone, from client to attendee to staff person, has a positive and memorable experience from invitation stage through onsite and departure. We aim to please!

You’re good at:

• Communicating with all levels of an organization. From the first impression on, you have a professional presence, the ability to own the room and convey confidence.
• Project management and solving problems. You excel at managing multiple priorities at once and being adaptable. You are calm under pressure and work well in a collaborative environment.
• Establishing long lasting, professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and vendors alike. Teamwork makes the dream work!
• Cvent, Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.

You might also have:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience of small life science meetings, conferences, conventions, and other moderate complexity meetings and events.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience managing outside vendors, sourcing, and negotiating contract services.
• Experience with managing on campus events at a corporation or other institution.
• A college degree from a 4- year institution.
• The ability to travel regularly both to the client headquarters in Ridgefield, CT and to meetings in other areas of the country.
• Proficiency in Cvent and Microsoft Office application.

You should know:

• This role is hybrid; and will require being onsite at client headquarters (Ridgefield, CT) regularly to coordinate and execute internal meetings and events.
• Role may require up to 25% travel outside of local area
• This role operates in the Eastern time zone.
• Our standard working hours are 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM, with an hour break.

How to apply:

Click ‘Apply Now’ to be considered.

THE PERKS

Flexible Working
We believe that a flexible working environment is key to getting the best out of our teams. We will support you to work where you need to and when you need to, depending on how you work best.

Room to Grow
Our line of work and business structure challenge our people in a way that inspires growth, with learning and development built into every role. We give individuals ownership over the direction and speed in which they grow.

Everyone has a voice
We thrive on conversations that spark curiosity and empathy. No matter how big or how small, every voice is heard, considered and respected.

Make your move
The diversity of roles across BCD M&E’s global locations means that our people often find new adventures during their time with us. Join us as a meeting planner role in the UK, stay for a global marketing career — there’s always room to move.

We’ve got you covered
Our extensive benefits include comprehensive healthcare, retirement plans, continued education support, diverse work locations, travel and hotel discounts, volunteer and sustainability opportunities and a successful employee recognition program.

We’re positive. You’ll love it.
It starts from the top. Our leaders lead with positivity, believe in our people and trust us to do the right thing. There will always be support along your journey, in little and big ways.
 

We carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors, including your professional background and experience. The salary range for candidates in applicable jurisdictions in the US for the position of Program Manager (Meeting Planner, Life Sciences Meetings)  is between $60,000 - $72,000. The actual pay depends on your skills, qualifications, experience, geographical location, and project budget.

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