Manager, Meetings and Events (Fort Worth, TX, US)

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

This role will use innovative and creative approaches to continue building a culture of engagement and recognition at American. The ideal team member will be a person who has vast experience in executing and delivering world-class in-person and virtual events, ranging in size from 20-6,000, that are aligned to the business strategy. 

Working side-by-side with key company stakeholders to plan and execute on enterprise events, customer meetings, recognition programs and conferences. You’ll own the work from end-to-end to ensure all company-wide standards for production quality, creativity, teamwork, and budget management are met.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Team Member Engagement. If you have a passion for navigating corporate culture and making a positive impact on your fellow team members, then apply within. 

What you'll do

As noted above, this list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced.  Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations including any collective bargaining obligations.

• Lead company internal / external in-person and virtual event production elements including but not limited to: 
  
  • Strategic event design, creative design and registration management, all AV, F&B, accommodations, and transportation
  • Hotel, venue, vendor, agency, tech, and platform sourcing and management
  • Fabrication design, build-out and load in/out operations, staffing and labor requirements, speaker and executive management, budget management
  • Sustainability, emergency, and security protocols / permitting
• Event Strategy: develop clear objectives for program / content design, ensuring attendee take-home value and high post-event evaluation scores
• Partner with key stakeholders to review and achieve program success, and/or act as the key decision maker on behalf of stakeholders
• Take ownership of tasks or projects, offer creative solutions to potential issues, and proactively communicate next steps and timelines. Can juggle unexpected issues and circumstances with calm professionalism
• Operate effectively in a high-energy, fast-paced global environment, striking the right balance of data and judgment to make high impact decisions
• Manage multiple programs at the same time and meet deadlines effectively and efficiently, and sometimes independently
• Evaluate and enhance processes and program experiences 
• Facilitate event budgets while working closely with finance; expert in forecasting spend and always produces events under budget
• Interact with colleagues at all levels, company-wide 

Other duties may include:

• Manage and/or maintain team member database per event including but not limited to; registration website, event mobile apps, invitation lists and responses, credential & confirmation communication, table seating, etc.
• Work with content services for the creation of invitations, corporate correspondence, and other materials as needed
• Deliver onsite management of all programs
• Ensure onsite staff and volunteers are adequately prepared to support event

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree or equivalent/training experience
• 5+ years of experience in corporate meetings, conferences and/or strategic event planning
• Minimum 2 years of leadership experience managing direct or indirect reports, project teams, or cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience using Cvent for event registration, website development, attendee management, reporting, and event logistics.
• Ability to travel up to 30% and work extended hours as needed, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications- Education & Prior Job Experience

• 3+ years of experience in the airline, hospitality, travel, or related industry
• Strong understanding of current in-person, virtual, and hybrid event trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Proven track record of planning, managing, and executing complex business events with measurable outcomes, including ROI and KPI reporting
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, presentation, and project management skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence senior leaders
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and operate independently when needed
• Proven ability to perform in fast-paced environments, manage competing priorities, and meet critical deadlines
• Professional presence, sound judgment, and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Experience supporting employee recognition, incentive, or large-scale engagement programs
• Maintains a positive, customer-focused mindset, demonstrates adaptability, and effectively navigates change and ambiguity

Skills, Licenses & Certifications

• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills
• Demonstrated strategic- and systems-thinking ability
• Exceptional ability to build, develop, and maintain critical relationships/partnerships and diplomacy with all levels of the organization, especially senior leadership
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with a focus on caring and collaboration

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer: 

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
• Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more. 
• Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
• 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more

Feel free to be yourself at American

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Team Member Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.