Strategic Analysis, Inc. (SA) is an industry-leading government professional services firm headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1986, SA employs approximately 200 professionals who provide scientific, technical, and programmatic support to our national defense government clients. In 2001, SA created the Conference Services Division in response to client demand for seamless meeting planning services. Since that time, our team has expertly coordinated hundreds of meetings and events, ranging from private board meetings to 2,000-person conferences with complex agendas to outdoor challenge events hosting more than 10,000 spectators and participants. Position Overview: As a Meeting Planner, you will independently coordinate a variety of meetings and events each year, ranging in size from 10 - 1,500 attendees. You will also support our team of planners in executing larger events. Your expertise in areas such as registration or exhibits or other specializations will be highly valued. Your primary responsibilities will include: * Participate in planning meetings with government clients and/or internal planning team * Research meeting and event facilities and conduct site visits where necessary * Negotiate contracts with hotels, venues, and vendors * Develop and manage event and registration fee budgets. * Coordinate with various security departments to clear non-US persons attending meetings and events. * Create and manage attendee registration websites. * Coordinate logistics, catering menus, audio-visual requirements, and banquet event orders. * Print badges and other meeting materials. * Set-up and execute webinars and virtual/hybrid events. * Travel as required for site visits and on-site meeting and event support. * Reconcile expenses, pay bills and complete closeout documents. * Perform general clerical duties including ordering event supplies, submitting expense reports, photocopying, scanning, mailing, and filing.
To be successful in this position you will bring: * Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years meeting/conference coordinating experience * Experience in planning government meetings, conferences or events ranging in size from 50 to 1,500 attendees * Demonstrated experience managing registration for large events to include building a registration website and reporting structure. * Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and online registration software. * Overall technical savvy and comfortable working with new systems * Demonstrated experience in hosting webinars and virtual events. * Familiarity with basic audio/visual equipment * Extreme organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to efficiently multi-task * Ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously and under deadlines. * Demonstrated experience interacting with high-level government officials and clients. * Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills * Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills * Flexibility and ability to function equally well in a support role or in lead role when working with colleagues on projects * Eligibility for or current possession of a U.S. government security clearance * Willingness to travel
Preferred but not required: * Certified Government Meeting Professional or Certified Meeting Professional designations. * Experience with online exhibits or poster presentations. * Experience coordinating exhibit halls to include working with general service contractors, shipping companies and exhibitors. * Experience coordinating with production vendors and speakers on large-scale event. * Understanding of security clearance procedures.
Why SA is for You: SA's Conference Services Division has an amazing team of 13 professional government meeting planners and five conference facility coordinators. We even have our own conference center! Our planners work both independently and as part of a team. Independently, we are lead planners for our meetings, managing all details from start to finish. As a team, we work together closely on large conferences and events, allowing each planner's expertise to shine in areas such as event design, registration, production, expos, signage, and more. These large events offer quick opportunities for growth in team roles as you become more familiar with our clients and show us what you can do! SA cares about our employees. We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide the flexibility to excel in your job and your life. Our government clients are primarily in the Department of Defense scientific research and development field and the work we do is genuinely impactful and rewarding. We take pride in expertly knowing government rules and planning professional, high-quality meetings and events within the parameters of these rules. This team seeks the right person to fit its work ethic as the days can be long and demands can be great, but the work is fulfilling! SA has work available at lower than full-time levels with the opportunity for more work contingent on both performance of the planner and increased projects for our Conference Services team. SA seeks to create a positive, flexible partnership by offering modified full-time work to the right person right now. Planners will largely have the ability to work remotely but will be expected to attend planning meetings in person, work from the office when the client requests, and be on site during meeting and event execution. Benefits are offered on a pro-rated basis for hourly employees. SA is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.