Join EY and build a career that is as unique as you are, leveraging global scale, support, and an inclusive culture. This role as a GDS Meetings and Events Program Manager is crucial for overseeing Meetings and Events spend and supporting program activities across GDS locations worldwide. You will be the primary point of contact for stakeholders, managing operational needs, reporting, supplier performance, and driving process improvements for the Global M&E program.

This position involves close collaboration with M&E colleagues, suppliers, internal business teams, procurement, and finance. The goal is to promote M&E policies and guidelines, ensure compliance, enhance stakeholder experience, and identify cost-saving opportunities. The ideal candidate will operate independently, influence stakeholders across various levels and geographies, and contribute significantly to EY’s Travel, Meetings & Events program objectives.

Key responsibilities include serving as the main liaison for GDS stakeholders on program management, operational queries, reporting, and policy guidance for Meetings & Events. You will support senior stakeholders globally, ensuring alignment with overall program objectives. Influencing change and driving the implementation of the Global M&E strategy across GDS locations and business groups is essential.

Overseeing venue sourcing, event planning, and supplier engagement for GDS events will be a core duty, ensuring alignment with stakeholder requirements. You will act as an escalation point for supplier-related issues, maintaining strong relationships through performance monitoring and contractual adherence. The role also supports M&E procurement activities such as RFPs, vendor onboarding, and renewals.

Promoting compliance with EY’s Meetings & Events policies and related procedures is vital. This includes ensuring adherence to standardized contracts and internal processes. You will review business compliance across various functions like BRIDGE, Independence, Finance, and Procurement, influencing policy and standards for M&E spend. Supporting the adoption of global process solutions with operational controls is also expected.

Contributing to financial management involves preparing event budgets, supporting cost management, and driving cost efficiencies through supplier negotiations. You will review data reporting to identify savings opportunities and present insights to stakeholders. Managing and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor program effectiveness and operational efficiency is also a key function.

Leading and supporting GDS M&E projects, including expanding the M&E catalogue and harmonizing processes with global teams, will be part of your role. Identifying and recommending best practices through networking with industry peers and internal teams is encouraged. You will also support the utilization of M&E tools like Cvent for accurate event request management.

We are seeking a candidate with 5-8 years of relevant corporate experience in managing Meetings & Events programs or a senior role within the travel, hospitality, or event planning industries. Experience managing large, complex events or M&E programs in a multinational, service-focused, or cross-cultural environment is highly advantageous.

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, is a mandatory requirement. Familiarity with Cvent, meeting intake tools, data reporting, Power BI, Power Platform, Ariba, or similar procurement and event technology platforms will be considered a significant asset.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. While a degree in Business, Hospitality, Travel, Procurement, or a related discipline is preferred, it is not mandatory. Additional Asian language skills could be beneficial for broader regional stakeholder engagement but are not required.

This role demands a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and results-driven individual with excellent communication and influencing skills. Strong organizational abilities, effective prioritization, commercial awareness, and calmness under pressure are critical. You should possess strong stakeholder and supplier management capabilities, analytical thinking, and a proactive approach to process improvement and change management in a complex global environment.