As the Director of Business Development at iDBrands, I lead a talented team focused on driving growth and innovation in the luxury gifting industry. I guide our efforts to deliver creative, high-end gifting solutions to corporate clients and third-party planners worldwide, ensuring exceptional service and tailored experiences that elevate brands and reward their top performers.

Basic Purpose: Directs and coaches assigned personnel to ensure that all services, administration, and profit objectives pertaining to the assigned accounts are achieved while maintaining high service levels. Provides comprehensive leadership to Maxvantage and to clients, overseeing sourcing and planning of programs, providing client and team support and training, and managing special projects.Scope: Manages approximately 5 to 50 exempt and/or non-exempt direct or indirect reports, who support sourcing, contracting, planning hosting and budget development for dedicated accounts. Depending on account complexity, scope may include management of multiple accounts.Reporting and Working Relationships: Reports to Senior Director of Operations. Direct Reports may include Sourcing Coordinators, Sourcing Managers, Senior Sourcing Managers, Meeting Coordinators, Meeting Managers, Senior Meeting Managers, Project Account Managers, Operations Managers, and Billing Administrators. Working relationships with Other Directors, Information Management Team, Proposal Development Personnel, Business Development Personnel, Financial Analyst, Attendee Management, Creative Department, Web Producers, Industry Relations, Project Accounting, Account Management, Account Executives, Program Operations, clients and third party suppliers.

Lead team of 11 Sourcing and Meeting Managers Communicate with employees Daily/weekly/Monthly to ensure employee satisfaction and engagementManage 4 accounts up to $20 Million in revenue each yearIncrease business YOY by working with Client, Account Manager and Sales LeadershipCreate processes to continually improve teams and individuals to drive business resultsCreate and facilitate all orientation training for new employees Create and facilitate training initiative for MaxVantage for existing staff as well as all new account ImplementationsAnalyze and Implement financial and operational measures to ensure operational profitabilityTrack data weekly and monthly to drive appropriate staffing and financial goalsManage proactive approach for all accounts by preparing possible issues and being ready to act if they happenReport all data elements back to client via Quarterly or Monthly Business ReviewCreate actual timelines for staffing models and present to client for staffing needs

Attended monthly financial calls to determine status of account PTICommunicated portfolio PTI results to Team Shadowed Team Leader to learn and understand all financial responsibilities within IBM account (i.e. GL, P&L codes, bank reconciliation, managing the AR, reconciling all meeting cards, creating, communicating and reconciling CFS statements to customer)Provided daily feedback to both individual employees and Team Leader, on team member's performance and accuracy within account.Currently completing "Situational Leadership II" online course to enhance existing leadership skills.Implemented 2007 Strategy document to prepare for upcoming year to include timelines and assigned owners within our team. Identify process gaps and create and implement solutions based on business goals and Team Feedback.Review and approve all contracts from Meeting Managers to ensure audit compliance and track training gaps for Team LeaderMaintain excellent relationships with preferred suppliers and key clientsCreate, Implement, and Communicate ongoing process changes, tracking results to ensure success Provide daily support to colleagues via account specific knowledge and procurement expertiseAnalyze quarterly reporting to ensure client reports are up to date and accurate via Francesca Reporting toolsLiaison between CMS Business Analysts and IBM account to ensure all products are being utilized properly and efficientlyCreated materials and facilitated New Hire Training Curriculum for IBM account to increase productivity in shorter time period.Created materials and facilitated monthly training program for team to promote development and consistency in processes each month.Created process and Implemented Air Coordinator Position utilizing current staff to lighten workload for Meeting Managers and increase client satisfaction.

Coordinate all logistical details, including air travel, for IBM Meetings both small and largeContract with Vendors including hotels, car service, Restaurants, etc. Utilize pre approved SOW's in place and ensure all Terms and Conditions are met.Utilize negotiating skills to ensure IBM is receiving highest cost savings for each meeting.Move market share to utilize IBM Framework and Preferred hotels to ensure better negotiating for next yearBuild relationships with clients and vendors daily to build confidence and ensure Customers are satisfiedManage Multiple Meetings (30-55 at a time) to include, sourcing, negotiating, contract execution, and reconciliation.Educate clients daily on IBM Procurement Processes and American Express Meeting planning processes. Train all incoming Procurement Specialists and assist in helping to manage their workload while still managing current meetings.

Gathered detailed information by networking with technologies, operations and relationship management in order to identify linkages prior to making decisions on training and communicating with client in EMEAIdentified training gapsImplemented training solutions based on consultation with Client, Operations, and Travel Consultants resulting in 96% accuracy and reduced Customer Service Issues nearly ten fold for EMEA accountImplemented, designed materials, and facilitated three week training course for integration of Goldman Sachs account into Bonhill St. London.Managed team of 4 trainers in EMEA (Goldman Sachs Account) in order to organize and maximize time and skillsServiced the following American Express platforms: Enterprise, AmexOneProvided expertise in both subject matter and delivery methodologies to operations staffAnalytical Skills - Acted as a consultant with network Leaders to identify and assess training needsProject Management - Works with Local and Network Corporate Travel Training Teams in support of new training courses and assists with roll out of new initiativesChampioned ESAT team in San Antonio resulting in G1 performanceLead Facilitator for IBM Apollo Conversion in San AntonioActed as Mentor and Implemented Training Specialist Protégé Program in San Antonio Identified training gaps in the India call center via call monitoring and feedback to TC's and Project Manager resulting in improved customer satisfaction scoresCreated call workflow, hotel training and account specifics for IBM call center; Provided support in development of account specific manual for IBM JAPA regionFacilitated Focus Groups, analyzed performance data, and identified training and service gaps for ITG Montreal and PhoenixContributed to and reported ITG office assessment results-consulted with operations leadershipDeveloped "Project at a Glance" for Corporate Travel Trainers resulting in enhanced efficiencies

Made Travel Arrangement for various accounts, International and Domestic.

Facilitated all incoming New Hire Employee Training six week courseResponsible for Managing attendance, performance and providing coaching and feedback to all New Hires during six week courseAdministered daily tests to participants and counseled trainees on performanceTerminated trainees that were unable to maintain a satisfactory performance or attendance record throughout the courseAwards American Express Trendsetter 1999, 2000, 2006 Technology Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Native Sabre, Native Apollo, Native Galileo, Viewpoint for Galileo, Sabre and Apollo STAR, Elgar (UKRail) TLCS (Passport and Visa program), FORMAX, Contact Central, EnCoRRe, Soft Phone, @WORK, MAX, ARC, Trondent, Web Order Invoicing, Lotus Notes, Lotus Word Pro, Ariba Buyer, Concur Central, Web order and Invoicing, Francesca and Solomon, Starcite, Meeting View, Cognos Reporting, and Meeting Operation Center. I am also proficient in social media networking tools such as Twitter, Linked in, etc...