Associate Director of Events

Werner Enterprises•Omaha, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Events is a strategic leadership role responsible for the vision, planning and execution of a diverse portfolio of corporate, associate and customer-facing events. This role requires a high-energy professional who can balance creative experience design with meticulous operational logistics. From large-scale festivals and national conferences to intimate executive summits, you will ensure that every event is a high-caliber representation of the brand. You will lead cross-functional teams and manage external partners to deliver seamless, high-impact experiences that drive engagement and reinforce company culture. You are a "big picture" thinker who isn't afraid to get into the weeds. You thrive in the fast-paced environment of events and have a reputation for staying calm under pressure. You are a master of details, a savvy negotiator and a creative storyteller who understands that a great event is more than just a schedule—it's creating a memorable event.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience required.
Has a minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience in event planning, event coordination, and project management.
Has deep expertise in planning and executing high-profile, executive-level events from concept through on-site delivery and post-event measurement.
Has strong design experience instincts — able to craft events that feel intentional, premium and differentiated across every audience touchpoint.
Manages multiple events simultaneously across different audience segments, formats and scales without sacrificing quality.
Has strong project management skills — able to build detailed plans, manage cross-functional workstreams and drive accountability across internal and external stakeholders in a complex, multi-event environment.
Has demonstrated experience owning event budgets and managing expense accountability across a portfolio of programs.
Has strong negotiation skills with experience managing large-scale vendor, hotel and venue contracts to achieve favorable outcomes.
Leads through both direct authority and cross-functional influence — directing teams with and without formal reporting lines to deliver shared outcomes.
Is a clear communicator and people leader with a track record of building collaborative, high-functioning teams.
Has high design and brand literacy — able to establish and uphold visual and experiential standards that reflect a premium brand across all event touchpoints.
Is a strategic thinker who connects event programming to business objectives and broader marketing strategy.
Owns and manages relationships with stakeholders directly and works effectively with people at all levels in an organization.
Has a minimum of a bachelor's degree
Has a minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
Experience with project management tools like Monday.com, Asana or trello.
Experience with event platforms like Cvent or vFairs.
Experience with social media.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee a comprehensive annual event strategy that aligns with corporate goals, brand identity and key business milestones.
Lead and/or work closely with the Marketing Communications team when it comes to event production including stage management, A/V and lighting design and technical logistics for live entertainment and keynote speakers.
Stay ahead of industry trends to integrate interactive elements, emerging technologies and creative activations that elevate the attendee experience.
Act as the primary liaison for entertainment, guest speakers and third-party production crews, managing contract negotiation.
Direct the full lifecycle of multiple concurrent events, ensuring strict adherence to timelines, workstreams and delivery milestones.
Own the budget of the events department including budget forecasting, meticulous expense tracking and post-event ROI analysis.
Source, vet and manage a diverse network of vendors (catering, logistics, decor and security), ensuring high-quality delivery and cost-efficiency.
Oversee site selection, crowd management, transportation and robust contingency/safety planning for events of varying scales.
Partner closely with HR, Sales, Facilities and Executive leadership to ensure events meet the needs of all internal and external stakeholders.
Ensure flawless brand execution across all physical and digital touchpoints, maintaining a consistent "look and feel" across the event portfolio.
Provide progress updates and performance metrics to key stakeholders.