GDS Meetings and Events - Sourcing Specialist

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GDS Meetings & Events Sourcing Manager

The Opportunity

The GDS Meetings & Events (M&E) Sourcing Manager will be responsible for the strategic sourcing, contracting and supplier management of hotels, venues, destination management companies (DMCs), event agencies, production houses, transportation providers and other event-related suppliers supporting EY meetings and events globally.

This role will serve as the subject matter expert for venue and event sourcing, providing commercial guidance and market intelligence to stakeholders while driving value, compliance, cost optimisation and service excellence. The successful candidate will possess strong hospitality industry knowledge, a deep understanding of hotel operations and contracting terminology, and the ability to negotiate complex event agreements across multiple markets. The role will work closely with internal stakeholders, procurement teams, meeting planners and suppliers to deliver sourcing solutions that align with EY's Meetings & Events strategy and policies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Venue & Supplier Sourcing

• Lead venue sourcing activities for meetings, conferences, leadership events, training programmes, offsites and client-facing events.
• Analyse event requirements and develop sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives, budget and attendee experience expectations.
• Source and evaluate hotels, convention centres, resorts, event venues, destination management companies (DMCs), event agencies and other event suppliers.
• Conduct market research and benchmark venue rates, supplier capabilities and industry trends to support decision-making.
• Provide venue recommendations based on location suitability, contractual terms, operational feasibility, attendee experience and commercial value.

Contract Negotiation & Commercial Management

• Lead RFP, RFQ and proposal evaluation processes for hotels, venues and event suppliers.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, concessions and contractual protections to maximise value and mitigate risk.
• Ensure all supplier agreements comply with EY procurement policies, legal requirements and standard contract templates.
• Drive savings initiatives through strategic sourcing, preferred supplier utilisation and volume-based negotiations.
• Support supplier renewals and contract reviews while maintaining a strong supplier governance framework.

Hospitality & Industry Expertise

• Serve as the M&E team's subject matter expert on hotel operations, venue management and hospitality contracting.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of hotel industry terminology including:
  • Guest room blocks and pickup analysis
  • Attrition and cancellation clauses
  • Food & Beverage minimum commitments
  • Meeting room rental structures
  • Complimentary ratios and concession strategies
  • Revenue displacement and peak period pricing
  • Force majeure and risk mitigation clauses
  • Commission and non-commission models, and negotiated rate structures
• Advise stakeholders on hotel operational considerations that impact cost, attendee experience and event success.
• Maintain knowledge of regional and global hospitality market trends, supplier capabilities and emerging venue solutions.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with meeting sponsors, event planners and business stakeholders to understand sourcing requirements and event objectives.
• Provide sourcing guidance and recommendations throughout the meeting and event lifecycle.
• Act as the primary escalation point for venue and supplier-related issues during sourcing and contracting phases.
• Build strong relationships with key hotel brands, venue operators, event agencies and industry partners.

Supplier Performance & Governance

• Monitor supplier performance against contractual service levels and programme expectations.
• Support supplier onboarding, due diligence and ongoing relationship management activities.
• Maintain sourcing databases, preferred supplier catalogues and venue intelligence resources.
• Identify opportunities to enhance supplier performance, improve service delivery and strengthen strategic partnerships.

Reporting & Process Improvement

• Analyse sourcing activity, contract performance and savings opportunities through reporting and KPI management.
• Support compliance monitoring and programme governance initiatives across the M&E function.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline sourcing processes, improve stakeholder experience and enhance programme efficiencies.
• Own and drive data entry and accuracy on CVENT and contract uploads on ARIBA
• Support sourcing-related technology platforms, databases and supplier management tools.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, Tourism, Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain or a related field preferred.
• Hospitality or procurement-related professional certifications are advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 3 – 5 years of experience in hotel sales, venue sourcing, hospitality procurement, destination management, corporate event management or strategic sourcing.
• Strong experience negotiating hotel contracts and managing large-scale venue sourcing projects.
• Experience working with global hotel chains, event agencies and hospitality suppliers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of meetings and events operations and procurement practices.
• Experience working in multinational, matrixed and stakeholder-driven environments is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in hotel, venue and event supplier sourcing, with a deep understanding of hospitality operations and industry terminology.
• Proven contract negotiation, supplier management and procurement experience with a strong commercial mindset.
• Ability to drive cost optimisation, budget management and data-driven sourcing decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills across all levels.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic supplier relationships while working independently in a global, fast-paced environment.

What We Look For

We are seeking a commercially minded sourcing professional with deep hospitality industry expertise and a proven ability to negotiate complex event agreements. The ideal candidate will combine strong market knowledge, supplier relationship management and strategic thinking to deliver best-in-class sourcing solutions while supporting EY's global Meetings & Events programme objectives.

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