Position Purpose:

The Director, Event Strategy and Operations is responsible for the strategic direction, planning, financial performance, and execution of WorldatWork’s events. This position leads the strategy, development, and execution of the conference portfolio, driving financial performance, stakeholder engagement, program excellence, operational effectiveness, continuous improvement, and long-term growth while ensuring successful event outcomes and exceptional attendee experiences.

The Director oversees the integration of complex conference activities across WorldatWork’s departments, external partners, vendors, volunteers, and conference management resources to ensure delivery of high-quality attendee experiences that advances WorldatWork’s mission and strategic goals. 

The Director, Event Strategy and Operations exemplifies WorldatWork's core values of Act in Service, Be Bold, Own the Outcome and Be Connected.

Primary Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Leadership (30%):

• Set the strategy and operating model for WorldatWork's portfolio of conferences, meetings and events, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, member needs and financial goals.
• Establish event goals, priorities, and performance measures aligned with organizational objectives and industry trends.
• Overall responsibility for meeting and event site selection and services, ensuring they align with strategic direction and allow for minimum financial liability
• Conduct post-event evaluations and use attendee feedback and financial/operational data to continuously improve the portfolio.
• Identify new event formats, technologies and business models that can increase member value, audience reach and revenue.

Event Operations & Vendor Management (20%):

• Direct all aspects of conference planning and execution through effective oversight of conference management partners, venues, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders. 
• Oversee all event production and operations, including AV, general services contractors, housing, registration, catering, transportation, signage, security and on-site execution.
• Collaborate with internal staff to accomplish sponsorship, exhibition, speaker, and attendee goals
• Responsible and accountable for contract negotiations and overall results that are achieved through process
• Venue management to include, but not limited to, meeting space assignment, exhibit hall floor plan, rooming lists, menus, audio visual, and room setup
• Develop and oversees management of onsite logistics plan for all events
• Assist with oversight of resources implementing event-related marketing and communications programs

Program Development & Content Strategy (20%):

• Lead the development and delivery of the Annual Conference educational program, including content strategy, speaker engagement, abstract management processes, keynote selection, accreditation requirements, and program evaluation. 
• Ensure educational offerings meet members’ needs and support WorldatWork's strategic priorities.

Financial Management & Business Performance (15%):

• Develop and manage the Meetings and Events budget and financial performance. 
• Oversee contract negotiations, revenue and expense management, financial forecasting, post-event reconciliation, and ROI analysis to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources and achievement of financial objectives.
• Establish KPIs covering registration, revenue, margin, attendee satisfaction, sponsor/exhibitor satisfaction, operational performance and event growth.

Leadership & Collaboration (10%):

• Direct and supervise activities and results of team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. 
• Lead and develop a team of three full-time staff managing logistics, housing, sourcing, and specialized functions
• Partner with departments across ULI including program, content, marketing, and executive leadership to align on meeting objectives and logistics requirements
• Lead conference evaluation activities, identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements, and implement strategies that enhance event outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.

Council Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration (5%):

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Events Advisory Council.

*Provide outstanding customer service both internally and externally, while performing other duties as assigned.

*Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to contribute to the organization when needed.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Education, HR, Business Administration, or other related areas or equivalent experience 
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in association meeting planning and management, with at least 5 to 7 of those years managing large-scale meetings (3,000 plus attendees)
• Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) or similar industry credentials are preferred.  
• Previous Association and and/or major event experience preferred
• Significant project management experience, including oversight of vendors with multiple deliverables
• Experience producing or supporting international events is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and database management systems. Experience with association management software is desired but not required.
• Successful track record of negotiating and overseeing $500K+ vendor contracts and tradeshows. 
• Exceptional organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability.
• Demonstrated ability to remain composed and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure environments, effectively managing complex issues, competing priorities, and unexpected challenges while maintaining a high level of professionalism and operational effectiveness.
• Self-management: Sets well-defined and realistic goals; takes initiative, monitors progress and is motivated to achieve; manages own time and is able to successfully juggle multiple and/or competing priorities in an efficient and effective manner.
• Results oriented: Ability to prioritize and work at fast pace and meet critical deadlines.
• Highly tech savvy with the ability to work effectively with a variety of educational technologies and tools. Experience with Canvas, Adobe, Salesforce, Excel, and project management tools is desirable. 
• Customer service: Provide outstanding customer service to employees, clients, members, and customers to satisfy their expectations. Committed to quality service.
• Oral communication: Ability to communicate information in a clear and concise manner with individuals at all levels, including board members and member volunteers.
• Written communication: Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in writing.
• Confidentiality: Ability to work with and maintain the confidentiality of data and information.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work independently; a self-initiator, versatile and assumes risk with responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position oversees a team of four (4) on the Meetings and Events team.

Travel:

Ability to travel up to 20%.

At WorldatWork, we offer a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The hiring range for this position is $120,000 to $160,000 plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus with a target of 15% of base salary. This position may be worked remotely. The benefits for this position include ongoing professional development training opportunities, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, and annual discretionary bonus. For a further description of our benefits please go to https://worldatwork.org/careers.

Disclaimer - The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Nothing in the job description constitutes an express or implied contract of employment or warranty of any benefits. Employment at WorldatWork is a voluntary employment-at-will relationship for no definite period of time.