Director of Events

About the role

The SCMC Director of Events leads the strategic planning and execution of all major events for South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce, overseeing a comprehensive events portfolio that drives member engagement, industry advancement, and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning: In consultation with President & CEO, VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, and other senior staff, develop and implement a comprehensive annual events strategy aligned with organizational goals and member needs; lead strategic planning sessions for major conferences, trade shows, networking events, and educational seminars; conduct market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Financial Management & Business Development: Track annual events budget exceeding $1.5M, ensuring profitability and ROI targets; lead sponsorship strategy and cultivate relationships with major corporate partners; solicit and secure event sponsors; in coordination with VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, determine pricing strategies for registration, exhibitor fees, and premium experiences; continuously analyze event financial performance and provide regular detailed reporting.
• Vendor & Venue Management: Source, evaluate, and manage relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, and other vendors; negotiate contracts for services and manage vendor performance; conduct site inspections and coordinate setup/breakdown activities; oversee vendor coordination during events and manage on-site troubleshooting; maintain comprehensive vendor database and performance records.
• Stakeholder Relations, Partnership Development & Marketing: Serve as primary liaison with key sponsors and VIP attendees; lead crisis management and high-level problem resolution during events; serve as primary driver of agenda development, managing and overseeing SCMC working groups charged with recommending content; source guest speakers, coordinate agenda topics, and manage holistic agenda development; collaborate with marketing team on event promotion strategies and materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in large-scale event management, with 3+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record managing events with budgets exceeding $400K and attendance over 450.
• Strong business acumen with experience in P&L management and ROI analysis.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience with association management and trade organization dynamics preferred.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) or similar industry certification preferred.
• Proficiency with event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite, etc