People & Performance Specialist

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) was founded in 1972 by a small group of visionaries who saw the need for a dedicated community to connect and support professionals in the meetings and events industry. Over the past 50 years, MPI has grown into the leading global association for event professionals, with over 60,000 members and community participants across 70+ chapters and clubs worldwide.

The People & Performance Specialist is a versatile HR partner committed to cultivating a thriving workplace culture and delivering an exceptional employee experience. This role oversees core HR functions, including benefits administration, HRIS management, and compliance, while supporting talent acquisition, performance management, and employee development initiatives. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented professional dedicated to ensuring seamless HR operations and serving as a trusted resource for employees and managers alike.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Talent Acquisition – Drive the full-cycle recruitment process by partnering with hiring managers to define roles, attract talent, and develop sourcing strategies. This position is responsible for all core recruiting activities, including screening candidates, conducting initial interviews, and coordinating the interview schedule to move applicants efficiently through the hiring pipeline. (20%)

• Total Rewards – Administer all employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans. Manage open enrollment, new hire benefit orientations, and qualifying life event changes. Process workers' compensation claims, COBRA, and leave of absence requests (FMLA, ADA). Assist with compensation-related inquiries and support annual salary review processes. (20%)

• Talent Management & Employee Engagement – Serve as a key partner in fostering a high-performance culture by executing our annual performance management cycle, including goal setting, check-ins, and succession planning. Support talent development initiatives by coordinating and facilitating training sessions. Manage the full-cycle onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure a positive and seamless employee experience. Champion a positive and engaging workplace culture by administering employee feedback surveys, analyzing results to identify key trends, and developing targeted initiatives (20%)

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – Act as staff liaison and strategic partner to MPI’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, supporting leadership, programs, initiatives, and communications that promote an inclusive and equitable culture across the organization and community. (20%)

• HRIS & Compliance – Maintain accurate, confidential employment records and documentation to ensure compliance with legal and organizational standards. Administer HR systems, including HRIS, Applicant Tracking System, Talent Management platforms, SharePoint, and Enterprise Benefits systems, to drive operational efficiency, data integrity, and reporting accuracy. Support workforce planning and talent decisions through performance evaluations, employee surveys, and succession planning assessments. (10%)

• Office Services & Administration – Coordinate and facilitate meetings with internal and external MPI stakeholders, manage scheduling, agendas, communications, and follow-up to ensure alignment, provide administrative support including vendor coordination, office services, and security, and manage domestic and international staff travel and related HR expense processing for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. (10%)

Travel Required: 5%

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive experience in a Human Resources Generalist or Specialist role, with hands-on experience across several core HR functions including talent acquisition, benefits administration, and employee relations.

• Familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and their application in modern HR functions preferred.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and professional HR experience will be considered.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, professional correspondence and interact effectively with all levels of the organization.

• Confidentiality & Discretion: Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

• Problem-Solving: Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate challenging situations with composure.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work, from data entry to compliance documentation.

• Adaptability & Initiative: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• High proficiency in the Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Hands-on experience with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Familiarity with collaboration tools like SharePoint or similar platforms.

CREDENTIALS, LICENSE, TRADE CERTIFICATION, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION

• An HR certification (such as SHRM-CP or a PHR) is a plus but not required.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS

• Physical Demands – the physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand as necessary. The employee must frequently sit and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. The employee must be able to exchange accurate information in person, over the phone, and via email.

• Work Environment – this job operates in a professional office environment. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

• Meeting Professionals International is a proud equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and does not constitute a contract of employment; responsibilities may change at any time to meet the needs of the business.