careers at sona

SONA EVENTS Trip Planner & Sourcing Support Associate Full-Time | Remote | Start Date: May 1, 2026 | Starting Salary: $45,000 USD

Reports to: Lead Project Manager & Senior Sourcing Specialist

ABOUT THE ROLE

Sona Events is a small, fast-growing startup and we need a detail-obsessed, people-first professional to fill a genuinely dual-function role. You'll plan and execute corporate trips and events alongside our Lead Project Manager while supporting our Senior Sourcing Specialist on hotel sourcing and contracts.

We have processes, playbooks, and SOPs — but this is still very much a hands-on, learn-as-you-go environment. We're building a small business into something bigger, and this person gets to be part of that creation. If the idea of growing alongside a company, helping shape what it becomes, and doing meaningful work from day one excites you — you're in the right place.


WHAT YOU'LL DO

Trip Planning & Event Coordination

  • Assist the Lead Project Manager in coordinating corporate trips and events — intimate offsites to large-scale global conferences

  • Execute logistics as delegated: timelines, run-of-show documents, vendor communications, and on-site support

  • Manage client communication and follow-through so nothing slips

  • Build and maintain planning spreadsheets, budgets, and tracking documents

  • Show up on-site, handle what comes your way, and keep things moving

Venue Sourcing & Contract Support

  • Support the Senior Sourcing Specialist in identifying and negotiating hotel and venue contracts

  • Prepare and submit RFPs for group room blocks and event spaces

  • Maintain a living database of preferred hotel and venue partners

  • Review contract terms, attrition clauses, and concessions — with guidance, always

  • Track deadlines, payment schedules, and deliverables so nothing catches us off guard

  • Build working knowledge of hotel industry standards and supplier relationships

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

  • 2+ years in event planning, trip planning, or event coordination

  • Curious about hotel sourcing, RFPs, and contracts — we'll teach you, but you have to want to learn

  • Highly organized self-starter who owns deadlines without being chased

  • Able to manage multiple projects at once without losing the thread

  • Strong verbal and written communication — clear, direct, no one left guessing

  • Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets

  • Sharp eye for detail — contract language to rooming lists to the welcome sign font

  • Well-traveled with global perspective

  • Genuine passion for hospitality and memorable experiences

Preferred

  • Experience with hotel sourcing, RFPs, or group contracting

  • Familiarity with Cvent, Aventri, Salesforce, or similar tools

  • Background in hospitality, hotel operations, or travel management

WHO YOU ARE

You thrive in a small-business environment, learn on the fly, and grow with the job. You manage your time well, communicate proactively, and get things done — no reminders needed. You're well-traveled, people-first, and genuinely satisfied by a completed checklist. You're the steady hand making things work so others can shine.


THIS ROLE ISN'T FOR EVERYONE

Sona moves fast and juggles a lot. This probably isn't the right fit if you:

  • Need structure, supervision, or a defined process to do your best work

  • Prefer routine — every day at Sona looks different

  • Get overwhelmed when multiple tasks hit at once

  • Tend to procrastinate or struggle to prioritize under pressure

  • Aren't naturally detail-oriented or a people person at your core

  • Find remote, autonomous work isolating

  • Can't shake a mistake — you need to pivot and move on

  • Struggle to communicate proactively

  • Aren't comfortable with international travel several times a year

The right person won't recognize themselves in a single bullet. That's who we're looking for.



TRAVEL

Travel is fundamental to what we do — not a footnote. Expect 2 to 6 programs per year on the ground domestically and internationally, plus two annual all-team retreats at global destinations. A valid passport is required.




COMPENSATION & THE DETAILS

  • Salary: $45,000 USD

  • Start Date: May 1, 2025

  • Location: Fully Remote

  • Hours: Get-it-done, not 9-to-5 — manage your own time, communicate openly about when you're working and when things will land

  • Time Off: Unlimited — just communicate with your supervisor in advance

  • Benefits: No formal health, dental, or vision — we're upfront about that. What we do offer: access to global industry learning events, professional development, and real-world exposure that's hard to put on a benefits page

  • First 90 Days: You'll start as an independent contractor, transitioning to full-time employee after a 90-day check-in

  • Growth: Salaries reviewed annually, tied to company growth — we want the people who built this to feel it




HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume to Danielle Snelson (danielle@sonaevents.net) with answers to 3 of the five questions. Keep it real — we're looking for you, not a polished corporate response.

  1. Describe a time you had to figure something out without a clear process or playbook. What did you do?

  2. How do you manage multiple projects at once? Walk us through your system.

  3. Tell us about a time you had to manage expectations when something didn't go as planned.

  4. Where have you traveled and how has it shaped your approach to hospitality and guest experience?

  5. What excites you most about the dual nature of this role — trip planning and sourcing?

Applications without 3 question responses will not be considered. We read every single one.