Lead Manager - Conference & Event Management

AICPA • Durham, NC

8d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is for a senior people manager responsible for the operational execution of a portfolio of AICPA conferences, events, and related programs. The Lead Manager will oversee a team of event operations professionals, ensuring best practices in operational planning, financial management, vendor strategy, and onsite execution. Collaboration with partners is key to delivering high-quality participant experiences and achieving financial outcomes. The position reports to the Senior Manager - Event Operations Management and leads a team of 4 people, utilizing a hybrid work schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in event management, hospitality, business, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in conference and event management.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, multi day, complex events.
• Prior people management experience with responsibility for team performance and development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of conference and event operations professionals, with direct accountability for performance management, workload prioritization, and professional development.
• Align team capabilities and staffing resources to support a portfolio of complex conferences, meetings, and special events.
• Foster a collaborative, and accountable team culture observing the Association's Management Charter.
• Lead the end to end operational planning of a portfolio of conferences, meetings, and special events.
• Lead all logistics including venue sourcing, vendor strategy, contract negotiation, AV, F&B, signage, production, and onsite services.
• Provide senior level onsite leadership for major conferences, making real-time decisions to manage risk, resolve issues, and ensure delivery of participant experience standards.
• Oversee the operational execution of special events and networking experiences held together with conferences.
• Lead event level financial planning including budget development, forecasting, and expense tracking.
• Manage COGS to support margin goals while maintaining experience quality.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate post event reconciliation, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
• Be the senior operational partner to company partners including content, marketing, sales, sponsorships, finance, technology, and leadership to ensure agreement between our goals and operational execution.
• Be the primary operational lead for external partners including venues, suppliers, production partners, and destination organizations.
• Lead vendor negotiations, establish performance expectations, and uphold SLAs for service delivery and outcomes.
• Identify enhancements to event operations processes and standards to improve efficiency, scalability, financial performance, and participant experience.
• Apply awareness of event industry trends and best practices to evolve event delivery models.
• Support domestic and contribute to global events by adapting operational approaches for regional, cultural, and logistical requirements.

Benefits

• Flexibility to help achieve a good work-life balance
• Part of a global, diverse team fostering an environment of inclusion and belonging
• Healthcare
• Retirement
• Paid time-off
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Resources that support mental health
• Flexible options for benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior