Director, Conferences & Events

Reporting to the Senior Director, Conferences & Events, this role 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. This role requires strategic and collaborative work with other team members to deliver high-standard meeting planning excellence to stakeholders. The ideal candidate should understand the non-profit environment, be adept with evolving priorities, and contribute to broader department initiatives and organizational goals. A high level of initiative, self-motivation, flexibility, creativity, and collaboration is essential.

Location: Continental United States (100% Remote), East Coast Time Zone (EST) preferred
Travel: Up to 25-35% based on organizational needs

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of BBBSA's portfolio of national conferences, meetings, and engagement experiences, including:
  • 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
  • Employee engagement activities
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, workback schedules, and execution frameworks.
• Ensure seamless delivery of event logistics, including 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.
• Manage operational risk mitigation plans, including contingency planning, crisis response, accessibility compliance, safety protocols, and business continuity for all assigned events.
• 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.
• Execute RFPs, venue sourcing, and site selection; evaluate vendor services and venues according to industry standards and stakeholder requirements.
• 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.
• Lead the development, coordination, and execution of conference and event communications that support attendee engagement and enhance the overall event experience.
• Develop and present ongoing updates of event materials for key internal/external stakeholders, staff planning meetings, and executive team debriefs.
• Oversee content for internal and external event communications, including conference websites, 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, and creative assets align with BBBSA's brand standards and organizational priorities.
• 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.
• 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.
• Identify and work with host cities to maximize event exposure through branding, gifting, and other attendee experiences.
• Recruit, train, retain, and cultivate professional development of direct reports.
• Create a dynamic, supportive, and effective team that is impactful across BBBSA and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Network.
• Lead and manage resources (people and capital) to retain and cultivate positive, measurable success.
• Monitor progress against performance targets and implement countermeasures as needed.
• Supervise and develop event staff and external contractors.
• Lead event planning teams and project workgroups, fostering collaboration across all internal teams.
• 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.

Requirements

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

Skills

• 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 and external, 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).