Congress & Meeting Management Lead

Congress & Meeting Management Lead

As an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, you will actively contribute to the discovery, development, and delivery of our products to our patients and customers. Our global presence provides opportunity for all employees to collaborate internationally, offering visibility and opportunity to directly contribute to the companies' success. We realize that our strength and competitive advantage lie with our people. We support our employees in several ways to foster a healthy working environment, meaningful work, mobility, networking, and work-life balance. Our competitive compensation and benefit programs reflect Boehringer Ingelheim's high regard for our employees.

This pivotal role serves as a strategic partner and subject matter expert for Congress & Meeting Management ("CMM") within the assigned Therapeutic Area/Functional Area of Boehringer Ingelheim's Human Pharma division. This role is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and continuous improvement of congresses, internal meetings, HCP meetings, and incentive trips, ensuring alignment with business objectives, optimal attendee experience, cost efficiency, and compliance.

The CMM Lead acts as the primary liaison between the CMM team, internal stakeholders (including leadership), HCPs/Patients and external suppliers, driving innovation, project oversight and best practices in congress, meeting and incentive trip management.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Meeting Owners and Business Partners to develop strategic congress, meeting and event plans that align with business objectives and achieve success metrics while demonstrating value.
• Proactively identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in meeting formats, content, and delivery.
• Conduct industry research and competitive benchmarking to inform best practices and emerging trends in healthcare congresses, internal & HCP meetings and other events.
• Develop and maintain a data-informed point of view on the evolution of Boehringer's approach to congresses, meetings and events. Use data and analytics to demonstrate the impact of CMM activities and support recommendations for improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for assigned Therapeutic Area/Functional Line leadership and internal stakeholders on all CMM-related matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization, including TA/Functional lines, Patient Excellence, Value & Access, Sourcing, Legal, Compliance, IT, and Finance.
• Effectively communicate CMM capabilities, needs, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership within the assigned Therapeutic Area/Business Line.
• Responsible for professional communications and development of presentations to update leadership on individual and groups of Tier 1 and/or high-profile congress, meetings and events.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across all stakeholders to drive process improvements, innovation and seamless execution of congresses, meetings and events.
• Oversee the performance of external suppliers, ensuring they meet service level agreements and adhere to Boehringer's SOPs and working instructions.
• In collaboration with the CMM leadership and operations, conduct regular supplier performance reviews, identify areas for improvement, and provide constructive feedback.
• Collaborate with Sourcing to conduct RFPs, annual strategic business reviews and negotiate favorable contract terms.
• Monitor supplier working instructions, ensuring alignment with current processes.
• Drive cost savings, peak performance, and strategic engagement with suppliers.
• For Tier 1 Meetings, Incentives, and high-profile programs: Oversee the execution of congresses, internal meetings, HCP meetings, and incentive programs, ensuring seamless logistics and a positive attendee & HCP/patient experience.
• Escalations to Director, CMM as appropriate and applicable.
• Analyze post-event survey results and implement action plans to address feedback and improve future events.
• Champion the continuous improvement of CMM processes, including the Congress SOP, Internal Meetings SOP, HCP Meetings Playbook, and related FAQs.
• Ensure all congresses, meetings and events are conducted in compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., Sunshine Act, PhRMA code) and company policies.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks related to meeting and event planning and execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required
• 10+ years of progressive experience in healthcare congresses, meetings, or incentive trip planning, demonstrating a track record of strategic planning, innovative execution, and measurable results.
• Knowledge and experience with HCP and Patient Engagement Meetings such as: Advisory boards, Speaker trainings, Investigator meetings.
• Knowledge of relevant federal, and state healthcare laws.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and optimize relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, driving performance improvements, cost efficiencies, and strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding and hands-on experience with virtual meeting platforms, meeting apps, and other digital tools, leveraging technology to enhance engagement and accessibility.
• Demonstrated success in leading and motivating cross-functional and cross-business unit project teams, comprised of internal and external resources, to achieve shared objectives.
• Expert in working with Sourcing colleagues in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships to maximize value and generate significant cost savings. Demonstrates a strategic approach to resource allocation.
• Possesses strong business acumen and sound judgment, with the ability to analyze complex situations, identify opportunities, and make data-driven decisions while at times effectively influence without authority.
• A highly collaborative leader with exceptional emotional intelligence, fostering strong relationships and effectively influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Market & Trend Expertise: Deep understanding of current and emerging market trends in internal meetings, HCP and incentive trips, anticipating future needs and driving innovation.
• A highly effective problem-solver, adept at navigating ambiguous and challenging circumstances, developing creative solutions, and driving successful outcomes.
• A collaborative team player with an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong drive to make a significant impact.
• Exceptional communication, persuasion, and facilitation skills, effectively conveying complex information and influencing key stakeholders.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial skills, with the ability to develop and execute strategic plans, analyze data, and measure performance.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to 50%.
• Role is based in Ridgefield CT with mandatory 2-3 days on site.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Must be willing to take a drug test and post-offer physical (if required).
• Must be 18 years of age or older.