Meeting Planner - AACSB International

AACSB is the world’s leading voice in business education, providing quality assurance (accreditation), intelligence and thought leadership, and learning and development (e.g., conferences, seminars, digital learning) opportunities to over 1,800 member organizations and more than 1000+ accredited business schools in over 100 countries and territories. AACSB’s core values of quality, community, social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and ethics are all viewed through a global lens in our collective commitment to transform business education for positive societal impact. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB connects educators, students, and business to develop the next generation of great leaders.

As the Meeting Planner, you will play a pivotal role in managing and executing all logistical and operational components of AACSB’s events. This position is responsible for ensuring seamless delivery of high-impact programs across various formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, on both domestic and international stages. The role requires an innovative approach to event operations, an understanding of global trends in meeting planning, and a focus on providing exceptional value to participants. You will be expected to define milestones and deadlines and coordinate both the team and external contractors to ensure a successful event that meets organizational goals and expectations.

How you will Contribute

• Oversee the end-to-end logistical and operational execution of assigned L&D programs, including logistics planning, platform requirements, value-added opportunities, program execution, and post-event evaluation for in-person, virtual, and hybrid deliverables.
• Conduct ongoing research to stay ahead of industry trends in global meeting and event planning. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to incorporate cutting-edge practices that elevate the attendee experience and meet product-line needs.
• Partner closely with internal departments such as Marketing, Communications, and Content Programming to ensure event logistics align with promotional efforts, contributing to the overall success of revenue-generating initiatives.
• Manage all aspects of facility and vendor selection, contracting, and negotiations for events. Ensure all stakeholder expectations are met through effective communication and oversight.
• Lead the financial management of assigned events, including budget forecasting, billing reconciliation, payment processing, and providing detailed financial reports to Executive Team. Ensure that all events are delivered within budget while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key stakeholders, both internal and external, ensuring regular communication and collaboration to meet the strategic goals of each event. Lead discussions and planning sessions to align event objectives with broader organizational goals.
• Manage location planning, vendor sourcing, and budgeting for domestic and international events. Collaborate with regional partners to tailor event logistics to local needs while maintaining consistent global standards.
• Perform duties in accordance with AACSB International’s Misson and Values.

Expectations:

• Global Event Travel: This position requires up to 30% travel annually, both domestic and international, to manage on-site event operations and establish relationships with global partners and vendors.
• Innovative and Strategic Mindset: The successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive approach to event management, consistently seeking ways to innovate and add value to the participant experience while adhering to the organization’s financial and strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Fluency in the English language
• Four plus (4+) years of relevant experience in meeting planning, with a focus on learning and development or similar fields
• Bachelor's degree
• Ability to travel up to 30% annually, both domestic and international
• Strong organizational, negotiation, and communication skills, with a proven ability to manage complex projects across multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Six (6) years of relevant experience
• Experience with global event platforms and other event management technologies
• Familiarity with virtual event platforms and other event management technologies
• Fluency in additional languages

Why join AACSB?

We take pride in providing our employees with an inclusive work environment that promotes individual development. Our employees say our benefits, location, flexible work environment, and their colleagues are the primary drivers that attract and keep them with AACSB.

Benefits

We offer a competitive benefit package, including generous vacation, sick and holiday paid time off, health/dental/vision insurance, 403B, short and long-term disability, life insurance, wellness allowance, tuition reimbursement, and a hybrid work environment.