Meeting Planner

Baird is a reputable financial services firm known for its commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences and fostering a collaborative work environment. Located at Baird Tower, the company emphasizes professionalism, innovation, and operational excellence in all facets of its business. Baird's 29th Floor serves as a pivotal hub for meetings and events that support the firm's ongoing business objectives and client engagement strategies. The firm takes pride in maintaining high standards for hospitality, event management, and client service, which directly contribute to strengthening business relationships and enhancing Baird's overall service model.

As a Meeting Planner at Baird Tower's 29th Floor, you will play a strategic and integral role as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for internal clients, including firm leadership. This full-time position requires a highly independent professional who will manage the entire lifecycle of meetings and events, from conception through to flawless execution and post-event analysis. The role demands deep expertise in hospitality, logistics, audio-visual coordination, and client experience to influence successful outcomes and elevate the firm's service offerings.

You will act as a consultant to internal clients, helping to clarify their objectives and shaping meeting designs by recommending formats, space setups, and service approaches that best support business goals. Managing events autonomously, you will exercise sound judgement and decision-making skills to address issues proactively, ensuring seamless event delivery and client satisfaction. Building long-term client relationships by understanding evolving business needs and identifying opportunities for enhancing the meeting experience will be a key part of your responsibilities.

Your duties will extend beyond event coordination to include communication with onsite operational teams and clients, managing food and beverage arrangements through online catering systems, and leading cross-functional planning meetings with Hospitality, Audio Visual, Facilities, and other partners. You will provide insightful recommendations to continuously improve the client experience by evaluating event objectives and introducing innovative service offerings, menu concepts, or presentation formats.

In addition, you will collaborate closely with associates hosting VIP, client, or prospect meetings to craft a premium hospitality experience aligned with Baird’s standards. Being a visible presence during events, you will instill confidence in your execution capabilities and foster strong professional relationships. Your oversight will cover all logistical aspects, including room setup, technology coordination, catering, materials preparation, and client-specific needs, ensuring accuracy and readiness at all times.

You will also be responsible for developing cost proposals, managing event budgets, and providing detailed post-event recaps that support financial discipline and operational insights. Identifying operational inefficiencies and leading process improvements across scheduling, communication, and onsite delivery will help optimize the overall hospitality service. Managing vendor relationships, coordinating staffing including external resources, and maintaining conference spaces to the highest standards will be vital to your success.

Collaboration with the AV team to ensure smooth technology operation and troubleshooting will be part of your role, alongside staying current on industry trends in hospitality, events, food and beverage, technology, and client experience to inform continuous improvement efforts. Flexibility to work variable shifts or evenings, occasional regional travel, and physical stamina to remain on your feet and lift up to 50 pounds are also part of the role’s demands.

Baird fosters an inclusive and equitable work environment, committed to diversity and providing employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other protected status by law. This position offers an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic team focused on delivering world-class meeting experiences that support and enhance the firm’s business success.