Director of Events

CSI DMC•Orlando, FL

About The Position

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the Company. While performing any procedure, all associates must observe applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required. Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position. Adhere to appropriate company operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Team Development Provide day-to-day leadership to the Event Management team, aligning departmental efforts with company revenue and operational and profit goals. Mentor, develop, and motivate Event Management team members to achieve performance targets and foster a culture of accountability and excellence, offering structure, motivation, and mentorship to ensure operational excellence and timely execution. Collaborate with EVP Events and General Manager on staffing plans, resource allocation, training, and succession planning. Collaborate with DOS and DDD to provide structure, motivation, and mentorship to the team to drive performance and operational objectives. Step in and be client facing when needed. Team/Employee Management Assign local programs strategically, keeping in mind individual goals and targets Collaborate on large program turnovers as needed. Create and nurture a positive workplace culture that encourages collaboration, trust, and strong team cohesion. Partner with the Program Financial Manager to ensure final client billing is completed within seven business days, P&Ls are closed accurately and on time, and program profitability is achieved. Ensure team adherence to company processes and procedures. Lead performance reviews and guide personnel decisions for the operations team in partnership with General Manager, EVP Event Management, and Human Resources. Participate in the hiring and evaluation processes for the operations department. Company Processes and Training Work with other destination Director of Events & Strategic Training to deliver hands-on training to both new hires and existing team members within the operations department. Support Event Managers in identifying creative upselling opportunities and resolving client concerns Contribute ideas and initiatives to motivate and engage the operations team. Meet regularly with the General Manager to review program opportunities, individual performance, and departmental goals. Lead the destination weekly operations meeting Attend certification courses and professional development training as requested. Plan and execute one annual training day for destination Event Staff and/or one holiday event. Client/Program Management Lead and operate assigned client programs from planning through execution. Lead all phases of event management, including contracting, planning, budgeting, logistics, and on-site execution for assigned programs including high-touch clients and large-scale programs. Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the planning process and maintain an open line of communication with client during program dates and when client is in destination. Ensure program details meet client expectations while adhering to budgets, timelines, and company standards. Conduct assigned program operational site inspections, planning visits and walkthroughs. Be onsite during program duration; be flexible and maintain an open line of communication with client during program dates and when client is in destination. Manage the production of all program materials including diagrams, manifests, run-of-show documents, schedules, permitting and vendor confirmations. Ensure programs meet profitability targets by tracking costs, managing the P&L, and maintaining or growing profit margin from initial contract. Overseeing billing in collaboration with the Program Financial Manager. Collaborate with Sales, Strategic Accounts (if applicable), Design, Design Studio, and Vendors in successful and cohesive program delivery. Assist with multi-destination support as needed, including travel to other offices or destinations for program execution or team support. Participate in site inspections and program walkthroughs to ensure operational readiness and client satisfaction. Event Staff Management Collaborate with the Staffing Coordinator to recruit, interview, and onboard qualified and professional Event Staff. Provide initial and ongoing training and mentorship for Event Staff, ensuring proficiency with all systems and tools, including Dayforce, Manifests, and Schedules of Services. Address performance or behavioral issues promptly, setting clear expectations and developing corrective action plans. Implement and manage the local office Internship Program to support talent development and departmental goals. Responsible for addressing performance and behavioral concerns with Event Staff and Contract Event Managers. This includes having prompt, verbal conversations immediately following any incidents to set clear expectations and develop a corrective action plan to resolve the issue efficiently. Hotel/Vendor/Client Management Partner with the Design Studio team to enhance vendor and resource offerings. Maintain strong vendor relationships and proactively identify new partnership opportunities. Attend hotel presentations and FAMS, and be comfortable speaking to a group in the absence of a General Manager. QUALITY OF WORK RESPONSIBILITIES Each employee at Cohera is expected to carry out all Quality of Work Responsibilities: to work as a productive team member, take initiative, act creatively, operate flexibly, and do everything with honesty, integrity, and with a focus on client satisfaction. Work well in a fast-paced team environment, be willing to help others, work overtime when required, and deliver quality service to our clients. Act in a self-starting way, make good independent decisions, and take steps to complete work within time parameters. Generate new and innovative ways to improve Cohera products and services. Recognize essential elements of a challenge and develop creative solutions. Respond quickly to changing circumstances, anticipate new developments where possible, be receptive to new ideas/methods. Act in a forthright way. Give and accept feedback constructively. Recognize and consider the client’s expectations and needs, be willing to “do what it takes” to fulfill those expectations. Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum of ten years work experience with a minimum of seven years in hospitality.
Seven years of event management experience in the DMC industry.
Proven track record managing multi-million-dollar, multi-day events and client portfolios.
Deep understanding of the DMC industry, large-scale event operations, and client lifecycle.
Expert-level knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis.
Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
Advanced understanding of contract negotiation and vendor management.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
Strong executive-level communication and presentation abilities.
High proficiency in multitasking, decision-making, and navigating ambiguity.
Skilled in relationship-building with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
Solutions-oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to travel to other Cohera office locations by vehicle or airplane.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; adaptable to CRM and other software (e.g., Salesforce, Dayforce).
Computer, phone, copiers, smart phones, tablets and other standard office equipment.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership to the Event Management team, aligning departmental efforts with company revenue and operational and profit goals.
Mentor, develop, and motivate Event Management team members to achieve performance targets and foster a culture of accountability and excellence, offering structure, motivation, and mentorship to ensure operational excellence and timely execution.
Collaborate with EVP Events and General Manager on staffing plans, resource allocation, training, and succession planning.
Collaborate with DOS and DDD to provide structure, motivation, and mentorship to the team to drive performance and operational objectives.
Step in and be client facing when needed.
Assign local programs strategically, keeping in mind individual goals and targets
Collaborate on large program turnovers as needed.
Create and nurture a positive workplace culture that encourages collaboration, trust, and strong team cohesion.
Partner with the Program Financial Manager to ensure final client billing is completed within seven business days, P&Ls are closed accurately and on time, and program profitability is achieved.
Ensure team adherence to company processes and procedures.
Lead performance reviews and guide personnel decisions for the operations team in partnership with General Manager, EVP Event Management, and Human Resources.
Participate in the hiring and evaluation processes for the operations department.
Work with other destination Director of Events & Strategic Training to deliver hands-on training to both new hires and existing team members within the operations department.
Support Event Managers in identifying creative upselling opportunities and resolving client concerns
Contribute ideas and initiatives to motivate and engage the operations team.
Meet regularly with the General Manager to review program opportunities, individual performance, and departmental goals.
Lead the destination weekly operations meeting
Attend certification courses and professional development training as requested.
Plan and execute one annual training day for destination Event Staff and/or one holiday event.
Lead and operate assigned client programs from planning through execution.
Lead all phases of event management, including contracting, planning, budgeting, logistics, and on-site execution for assigned programs including high-touch clients and large-scale programs.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the planning process and maintain an open line of communication with client during program dates and when client is in destination.
Ensure program details meet client expectations while adhering to budgets, timelines, and company standards.
Conduct assigned program operational site inspections, planning visits and walkthroughs.
Be onsite during program duration; be flexible and maintain an open line of communication with client during program dates and when client is in destination.
Manage the production of all program materials including diagrams, manifests, run-of-show documents, schedules, permitting and vendor confirmations.
Ensure programs meet profitability targets by tracking costs, managing the P&L, and maintaining or growing profit margin from initial contract.
Overseeing billing in collaboration with the Program Financial Manager.
Collaborate with Sales, Strategic Accounts (if applicable), Design, Design Studio, and Vendors in successful and cohesive program delivery.
Assist with multi-destination support as needed, including travel to other offices or destinations for program execution or team support.
Participate in site inspections and program walkthroughs to ensure operational readiness and client satisfaction.
Collaborate with the Staffing Coordinator to recruit, interview, and onboard qualified and professional Event Staff.
Provide initial and ongoing training and mentorship for Event Staff, ensuring proficiency with all systems and tools, including Dayforce, Manifests, and Schedules of Services.
Address performance or behavioral issues promptly, setting clear expectations and developing corrective action plans.
Implement and manage the local office Internship Program to support talent development and departmental goals.
Responsible for addressing performance and behavioral concerns with Event Staff and Contract Event Managers. This includes having prompt, verbal conversations immediately following any incidents to set clear expectations and develop a corrective action plan to resolve the issue efficiently.
Partner with the Design Studio team to enhance vendor and resource offerings.
Maintain strong vendor relationships and proactively identify new partnership opportunities.
Attend hotel presentations and FAMS, and be comfortable speaking to a group in the absence of a General Manager.