Director, Conferences & Events

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Director, Conferences & Events, the Director, Conferences & Events serves as the operational leader responsible for the planning, production, and execution of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's national conferences, meetings, leadership convenings, fundraising events, donor cultivation experiences, and stakeholder engagement programs.

The Director partners closely with the Senior Director to translate organizational priorities and event strategies into exceptional experiences that advance BBBSA's mission, strengthen stakeholder engagement, support fundraising objectives, and elevate the organization's national presence.

The Director, Conferences & Events will have the ability to work strategically and collaboratively with other members of the team to deliver a high standard of meeting planning excellence to the organization’s stakeholders. In addition to sound and proven event related technical capabilities, the Director must bring and effectively execute position responsibilities with advanced interpersonal skills across all levels of internal and external engagement and manage a significant amount of cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate should understand the non-profit environment and be adept with evolving priorities. They will be expected to contribute to broader department initiatives and organizational goals. A high level of initiative, self-motivation, flexibility, creativity, and collaboration is required to develop, plan, and execute successful convenings.

Remote Work Location Requirement

This position is approved for remote work within the Continental United States only. Any permanent change to the geographic location of an employee’s remote work arrangement from the region identified at the time of hire must be reviewed and approved in advance by both the employee’s direct manager and Human Resources.

Location: Continental United States (100% Remote), East Coast Time Zone (EST) Preferred

Travel: Up to 25-35% based on organizational needs
FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conference & Event Production Leadership

• Lead the planning and execution of BBBSA's portfolio of national conferences, meetings, and engagement experiences, including the Annual National Conference, Capitol Hill Day, National Leadership Council Meetings, National Board Meetings, Regional Conferences, Youth Safety & Well-being Virtual Summit, leadership convenings, cultivation events, and employee engagement activities.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, workback schedules, and execution frameworks.
• Ensure seamless delivery of event logistics, production, registration, housing, transportation, food and beverage, creative tracking, mainstage and breakout audio visual, shipment & delivery, security & risk management and attendee experiences.
• Lead onsite event operations and serve as the primary operational decision-maker during events.
• Partner with the Senior Director to implement sponsorship activation strategies, stakeholder engagement initiatives, and branded experiences.
• Monitor event performance, attendee satisfaction, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop post-event reporting and analysis, providing strategic insights and recommendations.
• Identify process improvements and implement best practices across the event portfolio.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, planning templates, project documentation, and event playbooks to improve consistency and scalability across the event portfolio.
• Manage operational risk mitigation plans including contingency planning, crisis response, accessibility compliance, safety protocols, and business continuity for all assigned events.

Financial & Vendor Management

• Develop, monitor and reconcile individual event budgets within the approved departmental budget.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with venues, hotels, production companies, technology providers, and vendors.
• Executes RFPs, venue sourcing and site selection for best fit locations and evaluates vendor services and venues according to industry standards and stakeholder requirements; communicate and gain buy-in on recommendations.
• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Establish and maintain favorable working relationships with all stakeholders including internal and external partners and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with organizational procurement and contracting standards.
• Market and promote Exhibits by developing a prospectus and managing solicitation to new and recurring exhibitors.

Communications, Content & Engagement

• Lead the development, coordination, and execution of conference and event communications that support attendee engagement and enhance the overall event experience.
• Lead in development and presentation of ongoing updates of event presentation materials for key internal/external stakeholders, staff planning meetings, and executive team debriefs.
• Develop, review, and oversee content for internal and external event communications, including conference websites, the BBBSA Network Intranet, mobile event applications, conference program guides, email campaigns, digital signage, and social media channels.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to ensure event messaging, branding, creative assets, and communications align with BBBSA's brand standards, organizational priorities, and integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Collaborate with speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and internal stakeholders to develop accurate, timely, and engaging event content across multiple communication platforms.
• Oversee the conference content calendar and communication timelines to ensure consistent messaging before, during, and after events.
• Monitor attendee engagement and communication effectiveness and recommend enhancements to improve the participant experience.

Stakeholder Coordination & Sponsorship Fulfillment

• Manage sponsor and exhibitor fulfillment activities and ensure delivery of contractual benefits.
• Coordinate event communications and logistics for speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, donors, board members, affiliate leaders, and attendees.
• Support cultivation and fundraising events through operational planning and execution.
• Collaborate with teams to execute sponsor activations and engagement opportunities.
• Identifies and works with host city to maximize event exposure through branding, gifting, and other attendee experiences that leaves a positive footprint on the city/local market.

People Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Recruit, train, retain, and cultivate professional development of direct reports.
• Create a dynamic, supportive, and effective team that is impactful across the BBBSA and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Network.
• Lead and manage resources (people and capital) that retain and cultivate positive, measurable success.
• Monitor progress against performance targets; implement countermeasures as needed.
• Supervise and develop event staff and external contractors.
• Lead event planning teams, project workgroups and foster collaboration across all internal teams.

Culture

• Demonstrate commitment to BBBSA’s shared leadership competencies and organizational values.
• Provide consistent follow-up regarding assigned projects and after meetings.
• Cultivate an environment where all team members feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their potential.

Education & Related Work Experience

Education Level: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required. Consideration will be given to equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible experience. Intermediate to advanced administrative experience is preferred, along with the ability to independently apply knowledge and skills within the project management platform, Asana.

Years and Scope of Related Work Experience: 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in conference management, event production, nonprofit events, stakeholder engagement, fundraising events, or related disciplines. Demonstrated experience leading large-scale conferences and national events. Experience managing budgets, contracts, vendors, and complex event logistics. Experience supporting executive leadership, boards of directors, sponsors, and donors. Strong project management, organizational, presentation, and communication skills.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Well versed in non-profit culture and able to keep up with evolving priorities
• Advanced creative problem-solving skills and ability to remain flexible
• Keen organizational and time management skills, incredibly detail oriented
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, both internal + external and across all levels
• Ability to manage multiple projects or priorities simultaneously
• Highly self-motivated and demonstrates initiative
• Superior project management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, CRM and/or AMS platforms, event registration systems, and online applications
• Experience with negotiating and building partnerships with vendors, sponsors, and exhibitors
• Supports the development and adoption of best practices, training, and high standards of excellence across all events
• Certified Meeting Planner Certification (preferred, not required)

Our Commitment

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, we recognize, affirm, and celebrate the backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all our stakeholders, including youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. We ensure the opportunity for all voices and perspectives to be heard and honored. In the workplace, we foster an environment where all people can be their best selves. We affirm that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We strive to realize the full potential that is within all of us by ensuring that all voices and perspectives are heard and honored.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BBBSA provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, age, sex, familial or marital status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Employees must be able to perform all essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Responsibilities

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. BBBSA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is directly recruiting and hiring for this position. We are not engaging any staffing/recruitment firms or agencies for this position. If any candidate profile/resume/identifying information is sent to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and/or Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, we will not pay any referral or firm fees in relation to this information.