Events & Travel Manager

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.  

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don’t take our word for it. As a U.S. News & World Report Best Company to Work For in 2024, we're obsessive about the employee experience. We are among the top 20% being declared “Best” of our industry based on six critical factors that are important to employee wellbeing, like quality of pay, benefits, work life balance and more.

Cars.com Inc. (Cars Commerce) is an audience-driven technology company empowering the automotive industry. The Cars Commerce platform includes our flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site, Cars.com, innovative digital marketing technology and services from Dealer Inspire, industry-leading trade and appraisal technology from Accu-Trade, an exclusive in-market media network, and powerful and predictive AI technologies that enable more efficient and profitable retail operations. Cars Commerce is focused on simplifying car buying and selling by eliminating complexity and increasing transparency throughout the local retail experience, where sales and service are best facilitated.

The role:

We are looking for an Events & Travel Manager to join the Cars Commerce Industry Relations Team. The person in this role will manage the logistics for internal and external events and manage the company’s travel program. The right person for the role is an experienced events professional who is detail-oriented, has the ability to seamlessly juggle multiple projects, and is excited by the challenge of delivering innovative virtual, hybrid and in-person events for our employees and customers. This is a hands-on position working closely with internal stakeholders across the enterprise. This role reports directly to the Sr. Director of Industry Relations and requires regular reporting to the SVP, Controller.

Responsibilities include:

• Execute corporate events, team meetings, automotive industry events and sponsorships, and our annual President’s Club Incentive program for our Sales organization

• Manage multiple requests and projects for both Events and Travel in a fast-paced environment

• Manage relationships between Cars Commerce and our travel partners (AMEX GBT & Concur)

• Maintain accurate records of travel expenses, manage the Concur Travel module and review exception travel, answer employee travel questions (ensure that the company Travel Policy is being followed)

• Manage existing and negotiate new travel vendor relationships  

• Manage external vendor relationships (hotels, restaurants, entertainment vendors, technology event platform providers, etc.) and work with cross-functional internal teams (creative services, B2B marketing, finance and legal)

• Research and report creative event options, off-site venues, and entertainment based on program format and budget

• Lead registration management and be a primary event support along with other duties assigned, as necessary

• Work with key stakeholders to manage ROI measurement and analysis for Industry Events 

• Manage event purchasing card and reconcile expenses accurately and on time

• Track Industry Relations budget of more than $3M; ensure all contracts and invoices are processed according to company guidelines

Your expertise:

• 10+ years of experience in event planning and management

• Understanding the key drivers of successful event execution in virtual, hybrid, and in-person mediums

• Possesses exceptional organizational skills

• Experience planning, managing and executing internal and external events for a large-scale audience

• Experience managing a variety of event formats, from exclusive closed-door executive events to large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and everything in between (quarterly virtual employee townhalls, full-company live events, customer workshops/round tables, etc.)

• Experience using the latest event technologies, including streaming platforms, registration and participant management platforms, agenda management tools, recording and editing tools, event promotion tools, project and resource management tools, and tools for live event engagement (polls, Q&As, etc.).

• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple stakeholders and workstreams

• Ability to assess and prioritize workload in a strict deadline oriented environment

• Thrive on teamwork and creatively overcoming obstacles

• Embody culture of respect, integrity, diversity and teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to travel 15% of the time 

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Meeting and Event Planning, Hospitality Management, Communications, or related field.

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Refuel - a service based recognition program where employees receive additional paid time away to learn grow and reset
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

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