Manager, Conferences And Events

The general salary range for this position is $70,000 – $83,000. Salary offers will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, skills, training and education.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s most effective animal advocacy organization, is seeking a Manager, Conferences and Events for the Outreach, Engagement and Training department. The primary purpose of this position is to manage planning and execution of events and conferences for the Conferences & Events team. Oversees logistics, vendor and attendee relations, contracts, and budgeting for specific events as assigned.

Responsibilities:

• Managing the planning and logistics of events and conferences including live and virtual/hybrid events for the Conferences & Events team. Assisting the Senior Director in overall management of the events life cycle;
• Managing vendor activities including catering, printing, shipping, audiovisual services, and transportation;
• Coordinating all ancillary (in conjunction with) events for conferences;
• Sourcing meetings/programs from across the family of organizations, including preparation of requests for proposals, researching cities and venues, summary results preparation for internal client(s), and review and negotiation of hotel contracts in cooperation with Senior Director and/or Senior Manager;
• Conducting site visits and preparing site visit itineraries for the team;
• Preparing and disseminating meeting specifications, schedule, agenda, and space allocation;
• Developing, strategizing, and overseeing content for marketing and edits externally generated content;
• Budgeting, preparing and ordering promotional products;
• Providing logistical support for presenters, entertainers, and VIPs;
• Coordinating conference scholarships, including gathering recipient legal paperwork, communicating with recipients, and working with accounting department for payment processing;
• Managing hotel guest room blocks, including attendees, staff, speakers and VIPs reservations and works to mitigate attrition;
• Managing conference/meeting registration software including assisting attendees both pre-event and on-site;
• Assisting and advising on budgeting, invoicing, and reconciliations. Negotiating and resolving billing disputes and preparing complete allocation summary of all event related expenses;
• Developing and administering evaluations and tracking statistics and feedback;
• Providing day-of assistance and management on-site to staff, partners, and attendees;
• Keeping abreast of industry trends and best practices;
• Performs other duties or responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, Marketing, Communications or another related field, or equivalent work experience, required;
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in event planning, hospitality, or another related field required;
• Experience in the development and execution of virtual/hybrid events;
• Proven ability to coordinate, manage and execute several events simultaneously;
• Ability and willingness to travel and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends as needed;
• Ability to remain calm under pressure;
• Ability to lead and guide staff to meet department and organizational goals. Flexible, willing to learn, and anticipates the needs of self and staff;
• Ability to set a positive tone for employees during their day;
• Comfortable thriving in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; self-motivated and proactive;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to manage issues, resolve problems, and handle conflicts effectively;
• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member;
• Strong project management skills with ability to multitask efficiently;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate information into a meaningful, understandable messages across various formats;
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence, demonstrated by the delivery of quality and timely outcomes;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and PhotoShop;
• Working knowledge of AirTable and CVENT is preferred;
• Candidate should be technically proficient;
• Passionate interest in animal protection issues desired.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, you will be frequently required to sit, talk and hear. You will occasionally be required to walk; use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
You will be frequently required to walk 5 – 10 miles per day while working on-site and work long days while maintaining focus, accuracy, and safety. The employee is also required to move and/or lift packages weighing up to 30 pounds.
You will also be occasionally required to travel.
This position is in the DC Metro Area- Remote Eligible
To ensure your resume is considered, please submit your resume and cover letter as one document.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital or parental status or protected veteran status. EOE