Director, Conferences and Events

THE OPPORTUNITY

The next Director, Conferences & Events will be an exceptional project manager who will hold a portfolio of work involving strategy and content creation, budgeting, logistics and detailed planning, and managing a variety of cross-departmental teams across the Council who support the planning and implementation of conferences and events. They will hold the following responsibilities: 

Conferences & Events Leadership 

• Develop, implement, and manage the overall goals, event planning timelines, and related budgets for the Council’s large convenings. 
• Support content strategy for Building Together and Leading Locally conferences and other large convenings programming, including development of programs, learning design, and overall event schedule. 
• Lead on contract negotiation and along with event team, manage relationships with vendors, speakers, talent, consultants, and agencies, etc. 
• Lead on event logistics for large convenings, including site visits, on-site management, staffing plans, production of plenary sessions, breakouts, special events and offsites, food and beverage, AV and supportive technology, event accessibility, virtual event platform management, and pre- and postevent activities. 
• In collaboration with event team and stakeholders, manage kickoff and planning meetings, develop work plan, and drive all pre-production needs (e.g. timelines, run-of-shows, trackers, agendas, rehearsals, drafting memos, documenting progress), and ensure stakeholders are engaged and aligned. 
• Research, develop, and implement best practices as it relates to implementation of future conferences and events. 
• Maintain approved provider status for Council events with various accreditation entities. 

Cross-Departmental Responsibilities 

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including communications and marketing, development, executive office, and consultants, to ensure event objectives and timelines are met. 
• Partner with Director, Organizational Learning to develop key performance indicators and conduct thorough post-event evaluations to compare, measure success, and identify areas for improvement. 
• Deliver clear communications across stakeholders and teams that engage and inform staff about the planning and delivery of large convenings. 
• Contribute to overarching organization and department goals by participating in cross-functional working groups. 

 Team Leadership and Development 

• Provide managerial oversight, guidance, and direction to the Manager, Conferences & Events and the Associate, Conferences & Events. 
• Develop and grow the capacity of team members through coaching and modeling. 
• Cultivate and nurture a positive and inclusive team culture. 
• Model the Council’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and lead efforts to embed this commitment in organizational systems and events.