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Job Description: GDS Meetings and Events Program Manager

Job title: GDS Meetings and Events Program Manager

Function: Ernst & Young Global Services - Supply Chain Services

Sub-function: Travel, Meetings & Event Services

Role summary

The GDS Meetings and Events Program Manager is a highly responsible role who will oversee Meetings and Events related spend and support M&E program activities across GDS locations globally. The role will act as a key day-to-day point of contact for GDS stakeholders on program management, operational requirements, reporting, supplier performance, and process improvement initiatives supporting the Global M&E program.

The role will work closely with Meetings & Events colleagues, suppliers, internal business stakeholders, procurement, finance and other enabling teams to promote M&E policies, guidelines and procedures, drive compliance, improve stakeholder experience and support cost-saving opportunities.

The successful candidate will be expected to operate independently, influence stakeholders across levels and geographies, and contribute to the broader purpose and objectives of EY's Travel, Meetings & Events program.

Key responsibilities

Program management and stakeholder partnership

Be the primary point of contact for GDS stakeholders on M&E program management, operational queries, reporting requirements and policy guidance.
Support senior stakeholders across GDS locations and provide guidance on Meetings & Events related matters, ensuring alignment with global program objectives.
Promote the values, objectives and strategy of the Meetings & Events program and broader procurement function in all stakeholder interactions.
Influence change and support the implementation of the Global M&E strategy across relevant GDS locations and business groups.

Event operations, sourcing and supplier management

Oversee and support venue sourcing, event planning and supplier engagement for GDS meetings and events, ensuring solutions are aligned to stakeholder requirements and business needs.
Be the escalation point for supplier-related matters and help maintain strong supplier relationships through performance monitoring, policy alignment and contractual delivery.
Support M&E related RFPs, vendor onboarding, supplier renewals and other procurement activities as required.

Policy, compliance and governance

Promote and support compliance with EY's Meetings & Events policies, Supply Chain Services policy, corporate meetings policy, procurement policy and related procedures.
Ensure compliance with EY standardised meeting contracts, addendums, framework agreements and relevant internal processes.
Review business compliance with the overall M&E program, including BRIDGE, Independence, Finance and Procurement processes.
Influence policy and standards relating to M&E spend, including venue, meals, agencies and related event categories.
Support adoption of viable process solutions aligned with global standards, including process governance and operational controls.

Financial management, reporting and performance

Help prepare initial and final event or meeting budgets and support cost management throughout the event lifecycle.
Drive cost efficiencies and supplier negotiations, ensuring value-add opportunities are reviewed and exhausted where applicable.
Review data reporting, identify cost-saving opportunities and present relevant insights to stakeholders.
Manage and report key performance indicators to monitor program effectiveness, supplier performance and operational efficiency

Process improvement and global alignment

Lead and support GDS M&E projects, including expansion of the M&E catalogue across GDS locations and harmonisation of processes with global teams
Identify and recommend best practices by networking with Travel Management Company colleagues, venue sourcing teams, suppliers and industry peers.
Contribute ideas and best practices to improve M&E processes, stakeholder experience and program efficiency.
Support use of relevant M&E tools and intake channels, including Cvent and other internal systems, to ensure event requests are accurately assigned and managed.

Teaming and leadership

Work closely with direct reports, M&E support personnel and extended support teams to deliver consistent program outcomes.
Provide guidance to meeting requestors, meeting planners, third-party providers and internal stakeholders on program requirements and event execution
Demonstrate strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills when working with senior leaders, suppliers and cross-functional teams.

Supervision responsibilities

This role will have responsibility for M&E support personnel and will work closely with the extended M&E support team to support program delivery across GDS locations.

Skills and attributes for success

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator, self-motivated, detail-oriented and results-driven, with the ability to work independently and engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

The candidate should demonstrate strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise effectively, commercial awareness, attention to detail, calmness under pressure and a passion for delivering high-quality event and program outcomes

The role requires strong stakeholder management, supplier management, analytical thinking, process improvement orientation and the ability to support change across a complex, global and cross-cultural environment.

Education

Fluent written and spoken English language skills are required
A degree in Business, Hospitality, Travel, Procurement or a related discipline is preferred but not mandatory.
Additional Asian language skills may be beneficial for broader regional stakeholder engagement, although they are not mandatory.

Experience

Minimum 5-8 years of relevant corporate experience managing Meetings & Events programs or working in a senior role in the travel, hospitality, meeting planning, venue sourcing, destination management or travel management industry.
Experience managing large, complex events or M&E programs in a multinational, service-focused or cross-cultural environment is highly beneficial.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, is required.
Experience with Cvent, meeting intake tools, data reporting, Power BI, Power Platform, Ariba or related procurement and event technology platforms will be an added advantage.

Job requirements

Due to the global nature of EY, the candidate will be expected to work flexibly with colleagues in person and virtually across multiple time zones.

A stable and reliable home internet connection is required for effective remote teaming, and the role may require working from the EY GDS office in India, based on local policies.

Some international travel may be required, and the candidate should have a valid passport or the ability to obtain one. There may also be occasions where work outside regular business hours is required due to collaboration across multiple time zones.

What we look for

We are looking for a confident, collaborative and commercially minded program manager who can work with senior stakeholders, suppliers and global colleagues to deliver efficient, compliant and high-quality Meetings & Events outcomes. The right candidate will bring a calm-under-pressure mindset, strong ownership, excellent communication skills and the ability to influence change while continuously improving the stakeholder experience.

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GDS Meetings and Events-M and E Program Manager