WORK OPTION: 4 days a week in the Secaucus, NJ office

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA's global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

Position Summary
The optimal candidate will be able to hit the ground running with existing relationships and extensive knowledge in the hotel industry. This individual will be responsible for negotiating and managing hundreds of hotel contracts on an annual basis, working with various internal clients and third party vendors. The role will require incredible time management skills, the ability to deftly communicate progress, priorities and roadblocks in team time. This person must have proven experience in a fast-paced environment with time sensitive deadlines. The scope of work is global and the varying levels complexity various offering challenges and opportunities to set new standards for the organization.

Major Responsibilities

• Primary responsibilities will include hotel and venue research, selection, and contracting.
• Drive hotel procurement process collaborating with internal clients in Event Management, Business Leads and functional counterparts across Legal, IT, Risk Management and Security, third party vendors and hotels to meet the League’s objectives.
• Maintain and establish hotel, GSO and CVB relationships.
• Initiate process to secure appropriate room blocks, logistical, production, and other event needs, and pricing from hotels, event agencies, technology and other suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts with venues, F&B, A/V, and general service contractors.
• Qualify proposals to determine if appropriate and competitive.
• Negotiate and confirm critical program components using basic terms and conditions, and/or modifying terms alongside NBA Legal to meet individual client requirements.
• Review supplier contracts prior to finalization and conduct final negotiations with selected suppliers for the best possible pricing and concessions to meet savings and spend expectations.
• Track, communicate and collaborate project progress with cross functional teams to ensure all stakeholders are informed.
• Prepare status reports by gathering, analyzing, and summarizing relevant information.
• Establish & maintain effective project communication plans.
• In addition to primary contracting responsibilities, assist hotel team at large with meeting and event planning.
• Design and create conference room layouts with staging, A/V, and room sets.
• Secure and ensure accurate BEOs, selecting food and beverage and other on-site experiential components.
• Work with counterparts to ensure on-site deliverables are executed as well as strive for continual improvement and quality customer service.
• Ensure costs are monitored, maintained, accurately forecasted, recorded, and managed.
• Budget for all operational-related expenditures.
• Offer new innovative ideas on how to improve budgets, logistics and quality of service.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience in hotel, hospitality and/or destination management companies (DMCs) is required. Experience in sports and entertainment is an asset.
• Advanced negotiation skills – able to deliver results while maintaining partner engagement.
• Proven ability to work through conflict, build trust, generate respect, and influence outcomes through outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills at all levels within the organization and with partners.
• Superior time management skills - able to work in a fast paced, changing environment and meet time sensitive deadlines.
• Upbeat personality, a hands-on team player and self-starter who can work in a lean environment with autonomy.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills and an ability to communicate at all levels, both internally and externally with polish and professionalism.
• Proficient with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically yet maintain contact with day-to-day performance.
• Hands on with high energy, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a positive attitude.
• History of consistently meeting/exceeding targets and objectives personally.
• Ability to lead and drive multiple competing priorities and thrive in a fast paced and complex environment.

Salary Range: [[$100,000 - $125,000]]

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.