Job Summary
POSITION SUMMARY
Event Director CEE is a senior leadership role within IEEE responsible for overseeing the strategic planning execution and management of a high-volume and diverse portfolio of events. This individual oversees the full lifecycle planning of assigned programs. The Event Director leads a team of six event professionals manages vendor and venue contract negotiations and provides expertise in both domestic and international event planning. This role is a key contributor to CEE organizational culture operational excellence and champion of excellence.. The individual elevates events by seamlessly integrating professional partners from across CEE and the enterprise such as programming multimedia marketing etc. and ensures that team members are informed and equipped to deliver excellence.
This role serves as both an individual contributor and a manager of a team of event planners.
The incumbent serves as a role model for cross OU collaboration and nimble inclusion of existing and emerging services and expertise from across the team.
Sample Portfolio of Assignments
Board Meeting Series & Executive Events
Serve as the primary event lead for the Meeting Series held three times annually overseeing all phases from inception through post-event evaluation
Manage site selection logistics staffing budgeting and vendor coordination for all Board meetings
Partner with senior leadership to ensure seamless execution aligned with governance protocols
Lead the strategic planning and placement of future Board meetings including multi-year site selection and program development
Prepares and delivers holistic presentations to various audiences
Governance & Institutional Meetings
Manage a high volume of governance meetings including committee council and advisory group convenings across domestic and international locations
Develop and maintain master event calendars and planning timelines for all governance-related meetings
Ensure consistent standards for meeting logistics materials technology and hospitality across all governance events
Human Resources Culture & Internal Events
Lead planning and execution of Town Hall and All-Hands meetings ensuring effective production A/V coordination and logistics for both in-person and hybrid formats
Oversee holiday and cultural celebration events that reflect the associations commitment to diversity equity and inclusion
Support planning of internal HR events including onboarding programs staff appreciation events and department-wide functions
Team Leadership & Development
As a team leader this person sets the tone and direction for integrated services being delivered across CEE and IEEE. Ensures that CEE peers from Audience Development Exhibits Multimedia Programming etc. are fully integrated into event projects under management. Embraces and implements standards set by other partner groups such as BMC IT etc.
Directly manage a team of six event planners and coordinators providing day-to-day leadership mentorship and professional development
Contribute to the hiring onboarding and training of event staff; establish performance standards and conduct regular evaluations
Foster a collaborative high-performance CEE team culture with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement
Escalates to management any challenges in implementing standards.
Budget & Financial Management
Develop manage and reconcile event budgets across the full portfolio; provide accurate forecasting and variance reporting to senior leadership in partnership with analyst or colleagues.
Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising event quality or attendee experience
Oversee registration and financial reconciliation processes in partnership with Finance
Contract Negotiation & Vendor Management
Negotiates with a variety of vendors within a framework that includes peers with subject matter expertise. Follows departmental processes with regards to these processes as they evolve. Typical vendors may include hotels convention centers venues caterers DMCs and other suppliers for domestic and international Works closely with colleagues with SME in specific areas such as Multimedia/AV/Video and hotels and leverages deep expertise..
Strategically includes city tourism and other geo-partners when selecting locations working with peers and across the enterprise to leverage relationships and expertise.
Review and execute contracts in accordance with company and departmental policies; ensure inclusion of risk mitigation and attrition clauses in line with our legal and expense authorization policies.
Maintain and cultivate strong vendor and venue relationships to maximize value and service quality
Site Selection & Logistics
Conduct site searches and inspections for assigned major events evaluating venues based on capacity accessibility cost and alignment with event objectives strategic funding opportunities and regional objectives
Manage RFP processes hotel room block negotiations and housing bureau relationships in partnership with colleagues with SME.
Ensure compliance with ADA requirements international travel considerations and duty-of-care obligations
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management Communications Business Administration or a related field required
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certified Association Executive (CAE) or other relevant professional designation strongly preferred
Experience
1015 years of progressive experience in event planning and management with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role
Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale high-profile events
Proven track record managing complex governance and executive-level meetings
Experience with domestic and international event planning including cultural professional and financial considerations.
Skills & Competencies
Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent events across a complex annual calendar
Strong contract negotiation skills and working knowledge of event-related legal language and risk management
Proficiency in event management platforms (e.g. Cvent Certain Swoogo) and Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent interpersonal written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively with C-suite leadership Board members and external stakeholders
Strong financial acumen with demonstrated budget management experience
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (estimated 2535%)
High degree of professionalism discretion and attention to detail
Comfortable escalating challenges to manager.
Strong presentation skills.
#LI-Hybrid
As defined in IEEE Policies individuals currently serving on an IEEE board or committee are not eligible to apply.
PLEASE NOTE: This position is not budgeted for employer-sponsored immigration support this includes all persons in F (both CPT and OPT) J H L or O status.
For information on work demands and conditions required for this position please consult the reference document ADA Requirements. This position is classified under Category II Mobile Positions.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran.
Disclaimer: This job description is proprietary to IEEE. It outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.
Required Experience:
Director