Job Description
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs, Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs)) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). The Director of Events will develop the overall event strategy that includes the planning and execution of all event elements regarding programs, meetings, conferences and special events for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The Director of Events will be responsible for defining and implementing this strategy with a focus on delivering events that will serve as profitable business drivers. Additionally, the Director of Events is responsible for managing the events team and the day to day budgets and strategy and collaborate with the Programs and Development teams on event expectations and needs. TMCF events play a multifaceted role: introducing and engaging new people to the organization, raising substantial dollars to support our mission, and increasing the visibility and awareness of TMCF. The Director of Events will work with internal and external teams to optimize the impact of the events.
Reports To:
Senior Director of Events
Responsibilities:
- Manage the events team and the day to day budgets and strategy, and collaborate with the Programs and Development teams on event expectations and needs.
- Develop new ideas and continuous improvements for meetings, events, and conferences, which will drive additional revenue to the organization.
- Find innovative ways to generate revenue/in-kind support and cut expenses for events.
- Develop marketing and special events production schedules and corresponding timelines and milestones.
- Create and reconcile event budgets in excess of $3 million.
- Select venues for conferences and events in target areas.
- Manage conference and hotel registration process.
- Collaborate on the production and printing of event collateral materials.
- Organize pre/onsite/post logistics of event VIPs.
- Manage pre-event activity including venue site selection, contract negotiation, food and beverage selection, A/V needs, booth design, event staffing and speakers, attendee hotel accommodations, signage, agendas and on-site services, as well as pre-event meetings and reviews with all event attendees and show participants.
- Organize and facilitate program planning meetings (e.g., strategy sessions, progress checks) to ensure that all parties involved are properly informed and contributing, as necessary, to assure program success and to ensure that program objectives are met.
- Negotiate vendor contracts on behalf of TMCF with oversight on execution by senior leadership. Strategize closely with development and programs teams to develop new ideas and continuous improvements for meetings, events and conferences, which will drive additional revenue to the organization.
- Find innovative ways to generate revenue/in-kind support and cut expenses for events.
- Develop marketing and special events production schedules and corresponding timelines and milestones.
- Create conference and hotel registration process for conferences.
- Assist with the production and printing of marketing collateral materials.
- Administrative duties include processing expense reports, scheduling meetings and making phone calls.
- Manage TMCF Events Coordinator and Marketing/Events Consultants.
- Recruit, train, organize, and support event volunteers.
- Create Emergency Action Plans for all TMCF events/conferences.
- Work with General Counsel on Securing Event Insurance.
- Organize pre/onsite/post logistics of event VIPs.
- Assist CFO, EVP of Finance, and Director of Marketing on selecting Event Systems.
- Selects and manages external corporate travel agency teams.
- Direct pre-event activity including venue site selection, contracts negotiation, food and beverage selection, A/V needs, booth design, event staffing and speakers, attendee hotel accommodations, signage, agendas and on-site services, as well as pre-event meetings and reviews with all event attendees and show participants.
- Organize and facilitate program planning meetings (e.g., strategy sessions, progress checks) to ensure that all parties involved are properly informed and contributing, as necessary, to assure program success and to ensure that program objectives are met.
- Negotiate vendor contracts on behalf of TMCF with oversight on execution by senior leadership.
- Assist TMCF event/conference partners with pre/onsite/post event customer assistance with exhibition and speaking needs.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Competencies and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising or Sales.
- 4 to 6 years experience working in marketing, event, customer service, brand promotions, or sales.
- Outgoing personality with a passion for events and brand promotions.
- Strong project management skills, with great attention to detail.
- Comfortable in a fast paced environment and able to manage multiple projects.
- Be a proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently.
- Need strong ability to set priorities, solve problems, and be resourceful under pressure.
- Excellent verbal, writing, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to work with individuals at all levels of an organization.
- Diplomatic, energetic, self-motivated, creative, and flexible.
- Strong organizational skills are necessary to keep multiple short and long term projects on track.
- Ability to work under pressure in order to meet strict deadlines.
- Working knowledge of Internet and basic MS Office applications.
- Ability to work some nights and weekends for events and promotions.
Additional Information:
- Employee Type: Full Time, Exempt
- Benefits: Health, Dental, FSA, 403(b), up to 10% Bonus Potential
- Salary: $75,000-$91,000
- Manages Others: Yes
- Required Travel: Some
- Location: Remote