Jessica Jones

Experience

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  Nationwide Insurance

  May 2006 - May 2010

  Marketing and Promotions Consultant

  - Manage customer accounts - Take payments and created quotes- Created marketing tools to entice new customers - Resolved customer issues

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  Institute of Divine Arts

  Jan 2007 - Aug 2011

  Competition Choreographer

  Create Award winning lyrical, contemporary, tap , jazz, and hip hop dance pieces.

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  Winston Salem State University

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

  Resident assistant
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  UNC Charlotte

  May 2011 - Jul 2011

  Compliance Intern

  Ensured that the athletes of the university were in compliance with the NCAA regulations Made sure students completed clearing house

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  High Point University

  Aug 2011 - Dec 2015

  Graduate Student

  Spss Research Video Production Press Releases

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  Charlotte Bobcats

  Jan 2012 - May 2012

  Communications and Public Relations Intern

  - Assisting with game-day operations (i.e. coordinating the media work room-including pre-game setup, supervision during games and post-game duties as assigned, distribution of media credentials)- Providing up-to-date statistics and information to media in attendance- Monitoring Social Media Activity and increasing followers - Transcribing coach and player quotes from pre/post-game interviews- Created weekly newsletter of statistics and the status of the team

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  Hilton Garden Inn

  Sept 2012 - Jun 2013

  Sales and Catering Coordinator

  - Reserving meetings and conferences , Creating BEOs and Rooming Block Contracts- Exceeded Monthly sales goal by 20% monthly - Plan, Budget, and Manage Events - Negotiating Contracts for meetings and room blocks - Arranging sales blitzes and giveaways. - Create and revised room layouts for each event.- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

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  Atma Hotel Group

  Jul 2013 - Jan 2016

  Sales and Catering Manager

  Sold four different properties, Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill Carrboro, Hampton Inn Chapel Hill Durham, Holiday Inn Express Chapel Hill, and the Quality Inn Chapel Hill.Planned all employee events , employee recognition and team buildingCreated pricing strategy for 3,000 sq ft. of meeting spaceKnowledge of sales techniques including closing skills, as well as negotiating skills.Participate and planned in trade show set ups and sales blitzes.Work with outside vendors to ensure client satisfaction for all events/groups.Experience utilizing creative skills to provide innovative set-ups, menus, and functions for groups.Monitor event activities in order to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.Confer with staff at a chosen event site in order to coordinate details.Review event bills for accuracy, and approve payment.Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.Coordinate services for events, such as accommodations and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.Help client get connected to the A/V system and handled all troubleshooting and fixed any technical problems in the meeting spacePlanned and coordinated hotel grand opening party with over 300 guests Show less

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  Snyder's-Lance, Inc.

  Mar 2016 - Feb 2018

  Travel and Indirect Specialist

  Managed about $10 million in travel spendFound company $100k in cost savings by renegotiating car rental programDeveloped and carried out initiatives to ensure the highest value in the travel marketplace, considering cost, safety, timeliness and efficiency practicesDeveloped and evaluated travel policies that will ensure the strategic initiatives are carried out.Developed and implemented training for travelers and travel arrangersMade changes and recommendations at opportunities as identified for increased efficiency or cost savings in the Procurement departmentMaintained relationships with air, hotel and car vendors, while benchmarking discount programs against industry best practices and negotiating most favorable rates for overall discountsCoordinated interfaces with Accounts Payable and Corporate Accounting for all aspects of corporate travel Manage the direct relationship with Concur, administer configuration and understand user navigation experiences with online booking tool Maintained supplier relationships, including partner management, negotiation and contract management Managed and execute corporate travel leadership events Perform the full day-to-day administrative functions for applications supporting the Corporate Travel and T&E programs (Concur, Concur Travel, etc.) Assisted manage and plan National sales meeting with $500k budget Audit expense reports based on expense audit rules and ensure compliance with the T&E Guidelines Manage Motus, employee reimburssment car application.Assisted with buyer approvals within Oracle while department was in transition Show less

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  Babcock & Wilcox

  Feb 2018 - Jan 2020

  Travel& Procurement Specialist

  Strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication skillsComfort dealing with ambiguity and the ability to work independentlyExperience working with, and presenting to, senior executivesExcellent communication and presentation skills; be comfortable interacting with executive-level management• Discovered ways to streamline business processes; researches and provides information on industry category trends and best practices.- Reconcile existing transactions through cross-referencing of incoming and outgoing data- Aid in the budgeting and expenditure planning processes• Developed negotiation strategies, gain alignment from stakeholders, lead cross-functional, category-based negotiation teams, and implement appropriate supplier risk analysis.• Developed internal and external partnerships to gain a comprehensive understanding of diverse business requirements across the company to spend category and collaborated with management to establish short-term and long-term business objectives.• Updated and maintained global travel policy to ensure compliance • Identified and implemented opportunities to consolidate spend and seek out synergies across business units. Lead category strategic meetings with cross-functional team members in the development of value creation strategies• Executed RFI's and RFP's; analyze bids, conduct Total Cost of Ownership assessments, document bid events through correspondence to suppliers; developed selection criteria and drive the selection of suppliers in collaboration with cross-functional teams.• Developed and executed negotiation strategies both individually and with teams. Developed and executed implementation strategies related to strategic sourcing initiatives including creation of change management plans• Created, nurtured, and enhanced supplier relationships Show less

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  STERIS

  Jan 2020 - Mar 2022

  Senior Travel and Meeting Planner

  • Pivotal strategist, manager, and planner of 50-60 annual domestic/international events • Management of Global Travel Management Company Program (Sourcing and Operations)• Cvent Certified, Creating registration pages, save the dates, and managing CVENT RFPS• Assist planning Global Sales meeting with over 1500 attendees and incentive trips • Implemented money saving initiatives by negotiating airline, car rental and hotel discounts • Started a corporate dining benefits program that allowed the company to obtain additional rebates form dining while on business travel• Negotiated and booked venues, transportation, hotel rooms, F&B, speakers, A/V, entertainment, etc.• Takes full accountability in leading a project team, client, and suppliers to design and successfully execute world class events as measured by internal and external client satisfaction• Plan and manage Virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams • Support event logistics needs on the day of events and meetings. • KPIs, lead the post event reporting function as well as surveys. Show less

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  Wells Fargo

  Mar 2022 - now

  Collaborated with Leadership and provided counsel on events for ultra-high net worth clientsCollaborated with different line of business leadership and provided counsel on events and industry research conferencesLead planning efforts for large and/or complex multi-day meetings, events, and conferences Developed innovative event strategies that delivered results and cost efficienciesImplemented and executed project plans, including the sequencing, and timing of key initiativesManaged project budgets, develop financial projections and analyzing variancesFunction as a subject matter expert (SME) and stay up-to-date on industry trendsIdentified opportunities to enhance operating procedures and mitigate riskExperience leading multi-day events within the financial services or hospitality sectorExperience developing innovative event strategies that deliver results and cost efficienciesExperience working with the CventExperience mitigating risk throughout the vendor management lifecycleExperience influencing senior leaders, partners, and peersExperience building strong relationships and collaborating across large organizationsLed all special events for Wells Fargo flagship event the Wells Fargo Championship Golf tournament.Specializing in client experience trips. Show less

  • Lead Event Management Specialist

    Feb 2025 - now

  • Senior Event Management Specialist

    Mar 2022 - Feb 2025