Sr. Buyer

Group/Team: Growth
Reports to: SVP Incentives and Global Sourcing
Location: Remote
Employment Type: FT, Salary, Exempt
Travel Requirements: 15% OPUS AGENCYOpus Agency is a future-forward full-service Global Events Agency with over 325 team members in the United States and the United Kingdom. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, our profound opportunity is to shape the future of events in an increasingly AI-infused world. In an era where digital interactions often dominate, the authenticity of real-world connections will become paramount. Events will emerge as the #1 priority for CMOs, driving brand success and fostering deep, meaningful relationships with audiences.
Our Growth team plays a critical role in this vision, partnering with world-shaping brands like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, as well as an ever-expanding roster of category creators and fast-growing global brands. With these clients, we don’t just respond to change; we shape it by pulling the future forward and leading them into a new era of event marketing. As a Sr. Buyer, you will be at the forefront of this mission, driving innovative and impactful strategies that align with this events-driven vision for the future.WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORThe Sr. Buyer, Venue Sourcing, is a seasoned professional with good people skills and preferably a sourcing, hotel sales, event management and/or travel industry background, ready to assume a key role in sourcing and negotiating destinations/hotels and vendor contracts for programs worldwide. You are an effective, confident communicator at all levels, both internally with team members and executives and with our global industry partners and suppliers.Must be results oriented, able to meet demanding deadlines and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.YOU SHOULD HAVE

• Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) preferred.
• 3 to 6 years’ experience, ideally with Venue Sourcing or hotel / venue contracting experience
• Hospitality industry experience is a plus

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with Account Executive and/or Client to scope requirements for program related to overall agenda.
• Secures appropriate room blocks, function space, etc. with pricing from hotel and ground suppliers during presentation development.
• Ascertains need to bring in additional partners (DMC’s, etc.) as appropriate.
• Implements overall program negotiation strategy to achieve best price and/or enhancement consideration with suppliers, supporting the specific needs of the client.
• Maintains tracking information of all tentative, sold, and canceled programs. Reviews all supplier contracts prior to finalization, ensuring both program specific and generic terms & conditions are accurate and legally protective of both Opus and the client.
• Participates actively with the team to develop program and profit/negotiation strategy prior to booking/negotiating activity.
• Updates team members as appropriate regarding new or revised information from suppliers.
• Participates in major program re-negotiations or cancellation negotiations, as required.
• Tracks supplier option dates and follows up with team members and suppliers, as appropriate.
• Maintain positive supplier relationships.
• Maintain the highest level of quality, professionalism and integrity when negotiating with suppliers.
• Prepare availability grids and/or presentation decks with appropriate options.
• Prepare contract negotiation summaries and cost savings reports.
• Keep vendors up to date on proposal status.
• Block appropriate space and release any space not needed on a timely basis.
• Monitor hotel penalties for rebook opportunities.
• Adhere to all deadlines and turnaround times.
• Performs special projects as required.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Keep abreast of new destination options, well-priced seasonal destination options and "hot date" offerings.
• Ongoing meetings with industry suppliers in person or on video calls.
• Attends multi-day industry events (IMEX, IBTM, SITE, MPI, etc), partner conferences and educational programs, identified with prior approval by manager.

COMPETENCIES

• Prior successful experience in developing and maintaining key client and supplier relationships.
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong organization skills with proven attention to detail
• Knowledge of travel supplier operations, overall capabilities/range of services
• Experience in working on citywide contracts
• Travel industry and destination knowledge
• Understanding of event cycles
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Relationship builder
• Task Management
• Autonomy / Self-Direction
• Team orientation
• Microsoft Office & Google suite program experience; knowledge of Cvent a plus
• Displays strong critical thinking, organizational, and analytical capabilities
• Portray professional presence through superior communication, presentation, initiative, and appearance.
• Identifies risks and develops creative solutions
• Understands planning interdependencies
• Strong project management skills
• Delivering seamless execution
• Ability to effectively prioritize workload on multiple projects & events simultaneously
• Successfully perform in high stress, fast-paced environment
• Accept changes with short notice and tolerate frequent interruptions
• Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality
• Always shows high level of ethics, integrity, and values
• Language Skills - Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to present information and respond to questions from a group of managers, clients, customers, or the public. Ability to interact both on a one-to-one and group basis.
• Reasoning Skills - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN RETURN

• Full time position
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Health & Dental Insurance (choice of plans)
• 100% Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Opportunity to elect additional life insurance and LTD insurance at employee expense
• Paid parental leave
• Opportunity to contribute pre-tax dollars to flexible spending accounts
• 401(K) with employer match
• Flexibility in work schedules
• Generous time off

HOW WE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOUOur job titles may span more than one career level. The starting salary for this role is between $84,000 and $98,000. Our salary ranges are based on third-party national average market compensation analysis. The actual salary is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. The salary range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
NOT SURE IF YOU SHOULD APPLY?

Studies show that those identifying as under-represented individuals might have talked themselves out of applying at this point. Don’t worry about checking every single box. At Opus Agency, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic team – so if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every single qualification in this job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the right candidate for this role or we may have other roles that better align with your skillset.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Individuals will be required to sit for the majority of the day and may be required to stand as needed. May require ability to ambulate primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Individuals may be required to travel via airplane, train, taxi, car and/or other means of transportation, as needed.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. OTHER DUTIES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee/ candidate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.Opus Agency does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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