Event Planning Director

Since our founding in 1924 weve cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half but there is still so much more to do. To overcome todays biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement be part of the progress and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter and so does the impact you can make with us.

The American Heart Association has an excellent opportunity for an Event Planning Director based in Portland Oregon. This is a hybrid position requiring the ideal candidate to work from our Portland office at least one day per week (daily during peak periods) and travel locally for on-site visits related to venue selection event planning and execution.

Under broad supervision this position is responsible for effectively developing planning managing and implementing events aligned with the divisions fundraising campaigns to ensure overall success of division revenue health impact and volunteer engagement goals. This includes independently managing all aspects of event planning and execution including engaging organizing and managing internal and external partners proactively assessing and evaluating needs and providing recommendations to improve upon events and customer experiences and detailed project management. Oversees events budgets and ensures expenses are within approved annual budget.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work-life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful you will have access to Heart U our award-winning corporate university as well as additional training and support locally.

#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work-life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us onLinkedInInstagramFacebookX and .

• Plans manages and implements assigned events. Includes all aspects of event planning: event design vendor selection and management contract negotiation visual innovation budget management resource optimization and execution excellence. Evaluates effectiveness of event plans and event implementation processes and finds ways to improve efficiencies collaboration and attendee experience. Provides consultation and support to additional markets as assigned.
• Researches secures manages and evaluates vendors to provide needed services at assigned events within purchasing and operating guidelines and within budget. Solicits competitive bids for all event needs; proactively finds ways to cut costs.
• Collaborating with Development and Communications & Marketing plans visual and interactive event elements and designs and produces printed materials such as invitations flyers bidder paddles presentations signage and other pieces as needed while adhering to the Associations branding guidelines. Ensures all collateral and signage needs are met and produced on schedule.
  Provides staff leadership in the areas of event volunteer recruitment orientation and training. Develops staffing plan and leads volunteer recruitment and management for assigned events.
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of sponsor benefits and ensures delivery of all sponsor benefits year-round for assigned events. Develops innovative ways to showcase sponsors and highlight their activations at events.
• Secures necessary permits for assigned events.
• Manages customer and campaign information utilizing Association systems accurately timely and completely in accordance with established guidelines.
• Provides general operations support including the accurate timely processing of mail and donations in accordance with established requirements and standards. Adheres to policies and procedures for handling cash checks revenue and expense management.
• Proactively communicates and coordinates efforts and timelines with staff and volunteer partners to ensure maximum collaboration aligned with achieving campaign goals.

Minimum of three (3) years experience with:

• Demonstrated track record in special events management in a highly matrixed and customer centric environment. Includes experience managing high volume vendor relationships and large format builds.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects prioritize tasks and meet deadlines with proactive communication thorough planning and execution and allocating/providing resources additional support or training.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to consistently maintain a professional calm and friendly manner in creating positive customer experiences externally and internally.
• Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to identify potential issues that may impact organizational productivity and/or compliance and address proactively and timely.
• Effective project management and event management skills in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in positively managing change including anticipating and championing organizational change creating contingency plans proactively considering short-term and long-term impact.
• Experience in negotiating services and managing service level agreements
• University/College degree or equivalent experience

Here are some of the preferred skills we are looking for:

• Knowledge of the American Heart Associations standards and procedures.
• Experience with sales or fundraising strategies.
• Experience managing staff and volunteers.
  
  

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Here are the main components of our total rewards package. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation Our goal is to ensure you have a competitive base salary. Thats why we regularly review the market value of jobs and make adjustments as needed.
  
  
• Performance and Recognition You are rewarded for achieving success through annual salary planning and incentive programs; eligibilityfor an incentive program is based on the type of position.
  
  
• Benefits We offer a wide array of benefits including medical dental vision disability and life insurance along with a robust retirement program that includes an employer match and automatic contribution. As a mark of our commitment to employee well-being we also offer an employee assistance program employee wellness program and telemedicine and medical consultation.
  
  
• Professional Development You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Associations national online university with more than 100000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
  
  
• Work-Life Harmonization The Association offers Paid Time Off (PTO) at a minimum of 16 days per year for new employees. The number of days will increase based on seniority level. You will also have a total of 12 paid holidays off each year which includes several days off at the end of the year.
  
  
• Tuition Assistance - We support the career development of all employees. This program provides financial assistance to employees who wish to further their education and career in relation to their current duties and responsibilities or for potential future positions in the organization.

The American Heart Associations 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science policy and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association American Stroke Association our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer healthier lives regardless of race ethnicity gender gender identity religion age language sexual orientation national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

This position not a match with your skills Click here to see other opportunities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities