Director, Special Events & Strategic Sourcing
PGA of America CorporateJoin a team of proud, passionate, and caring people that together share their diverse talents and backgrounds to serve our members and grow the game of golf. Being at the PGA of America means you are supported, respected, and appreciated for your contributions.
The Director of Special Events & Strategic Sourcing leads long-range strategic sourcing, procurement, and contract negotiations for hotel
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accommodations, meeting venues, and food and beverage programs across all premier Championships and Association initiatives. This role oversees third-party vendor relationships, manages event budgets, and ensures financial stewardship and legal protection for major events, including the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Board of Directors meetings, Annual Meetings, governance meetings, executive leadership events, PGA REACH functions, and other Association initiatives. Additionally, the position drives operational excellence, establishes procurement best practices, and directs the planning and execution of executive and Association special events.
RESPONSIBILITIES (Specific areas of responsibility include but are not limited to):
Strategic Sourcing & Long-Range Planning
Lead the multi-year planning cycle, securing hotel room blocks, meeting spaces, event venues, and key supplier relationships up to three to five in advance of Championships and Association events.
Continually monitor hospitality industry trends, market compression cycles, and market fluctuations to identify risks and leverage negotiation opportunities early.
Lead destination research, hotel evaluations, venue assessments, and site inspections to identify facilities that best support the operational and strategic needs of the PGA of America.
Contractual Engagements & Financial Stewardship
Direct sourcing, RFP development, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of hotel agreements, all master service agreements, venue contracts, catering agreements, and other event related vendor contracts.
Negotiate contracts that protect the PGA of America from attrition, cancellation, force majeure while maximizing concessions, rebates and value added services.
Develop and manage multi million dollar event budgets, forecasting future costs while ensuring procurement decisions maximize return on investment and operational efficiency.
Special Events Planning & Association Event Management
Serve as the strategic lead for planning and executing Association events, including Board of Directors meetings, the Annual Meeting, PGA REACH events, executive leadership and governance meetings, officer functions, awards events, VIP receptions, and internal conferences and retreats.
Develop comprehensive event plans including timelines, logistics, staffing, transportation, décor, entertainment, audiovisual production, registration, signage, and overall guest experience.
Establish operational standards and best practices to ensure consistency across all Association events regardless of location.
Food & Beverage Strategy
Develop comprehensive food & beverage strategies supporting Association meetings, executive functions, and special events.
Collaborate with hotels, venues, caterers, and culinary partners to develop menus, banquet service plans, beverage programs, and hospitality experiences that reflect the PGA of America's standards.
Oversee banquet guarantees, menu pricing, catering negotiations, service standards, and budget performance.
Identify innovative culinary experiences that enhance executive and member engagement while maintaining financial discipline.
Vendor & Strategic Partner Management
Develop and maintain long-term relationships with preferred hotel brands, convention centers, destination marketing organizations, destination management companies, transportation providers, audiovisual firms, entertainment partners, production companies, rental suppliers, registration vendors, and other strategic event partners.
Evaluate vendor performance through measurable service standards while iden