Group Director, Events (US)

The Group Director, Events play a critical role in developing creative and strategic event solutions for SME Events. These individuals are integral SME Events leaders with responsibility for developing and mentoring their teams.

The Group Director, Events is accountable for leading event strategy and the overall delivery of their assigned group portfolio. This position will lead and manage a team of individuals and collaborate with cross-functional event teams to deliver on strategic event outcomes. This role is accountable and responsible for event strategy, event team execution and the oversight of all aspects of event delivery, including financials.

The Group Director, Events will work under the direction of the events team’s Senior Leadership in collaboration with the Event Operations and Marketing functional leaders to ensure teams utilize standardized processes and tools, always looking to optimize staff performance. A seasoned leader who enjoys a fast-paced environment, a variety of assignments and challenges, and operates with a self-starter attitude. Manufacturing industry knowledge is a plus.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

Key focus areas and activities for the Group Director, Events role include:

Event Strategy:

• Works with events team’s Senior Leadership to define and clarify event goals and key performance indicators (KPI’s) for events (e.g., registration / attendance goals, gross revenue, net income, attendee, exhibitor, delegate satisfaction levels, NPS, etc.)
• Creates event budgets that deliver on desired organizational and event outcomes and tracks performance against metrics
• Leads a cross-functional event team to develop and implement event strategies that are tailored and relevant to manufacturing industry needs. Ensure functional staff including marketing, content development, operations and sales teams understand the strategies and have action plans that support delivery of event objectives
• Creates event related improvement strategies and the work plans for achieving them

 Events Group Support:

• Raises talent and staff development issues and opportunities ensuring long term succession planning is always in consideration for effective resource management
• Collaborates with cross-functional event team to ensure strong performance and a high level engagement
• Works with event teams to identify and introduce process improvements and optimization plans

Event and Team Management: 

• Leads a cross-functional event team to deliver on all aspects of event’s financial management
• Oversees strategic plan execution, defines roles and responsibilities for event team members and ensures regular project team meeting participation and outcomes
• Develops budgets, forecasts and other KPI’s; manages and tracks performance of each; addresses and resolves issues related to performance
• Plans regular event communications around event schedules, budget status and other key initiatives
• Leads After Action Review (AAR) process to assess event outcomes and debrief learnings
• Leads staff, with duties that include hiring, performance reviews, compensation planning, coaching, individual and team development and training, along with general team support.

Leadership Competencies: 

• Drives operational, project, and fiscal management practices that produce desired results
• Develops and maintains relationships of trust, collaboration, and partnership
• Consistently meets or exceeds expectations; takes accountability for individual and group results
• Garners and sustains commitment of customers, team members and others
• Ensures execution of standard operating protocols and provides training and ongoing guidance
• Earns confidence of direct report team and the cross-functional event team staff; makes a strong positive impression in all settings
• Demonstrates self-awareness; responds appropriately to others’ style and emotions
• Communicates effectively with co-workers; adjusts approach as necessary
• Provides specific, regular, and objective feedback to others; swiftly addresses performance issues

Technical Competencies: 

• Interact regularly with major exhibitor customers and key attendee groups to ensure event/project is in sync with market needs and requirements; form event advisory committees for key initiatives and build relationships with companies and individuals who are engaged
• Comprehensive knowledge of tradeshow and event management practices including sales, marketing, content development and related functions
• Knowledge and experience working with venues, facilities, convention centers, hotels convention city, suppliers and vendor
• Data oriented with experience defining key success metrics and driving toward those metrics as part of the overall Events strategy
• Budget development, management, and forecasting