Senior Director, Conventions

National Safety Council•Itasca, IL

3d•Remote

About The Position

The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate. We focus on eliminating the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. Through leadership, research, education, and advocacy, NSC focuses on areas where most unintentional injuries and deaths occur. We are currently looking for a Senior Director, Conventions to join us in our mission to save lives and prevent injuries. Position Highlights: This leader will drive all aspects of delivering mission impact and enhanced engagement for the organization’s key stakeholders through its marquee events. As a strategic leader, this individual will develop a comprehensive event strategy and be responsible for leading the Conventions team in the execution of the strategy. This role requires strong collaborative skills with internal business partners to ensure core organizational objectives are achieved. Strong budget management and ability to lead a team are key competencies for a successful candidate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business or equivalent with coursework in association meeting, exposition, and hotel management. CEM or CMP desirable.
15+ years of management-level experience with a major association convention department or For-Profit trade show organizer.
Strategic Leadership: Demonstrated ability to translate organizational goals into actionable strategies that drive long‑term impact and operational excellence.
Business & Financial Stewardship: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision‑making to ensure responsible use of organizational resources.
Cross‑Organizational Collaboration: Proven skill in working across departments and functional areas to align priorities, streamline processes, and achieve shared outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Ability to build trust, manage expectations, and influence decision‑making across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Change Management & Organizational Agility: Experience guiding teams through change by promoting adaptability, fostering alignment, and ensuring smooth transitions to new processes or strategies.
Trade Show & Conference Expertise: Knowledge of industry events, including planning, coordination, and representation to enhance visibility, networking, and organizational impact.

Nice To Haves

CEM or CMP desirable.

Responsibilities

Skilled in budgeting, finance, revenue management, trade show management, public relations/marketing, staff management/development, organization building, vendor negotiations and event logistics.
Plans, directs, and administers all aspects of the National Safety Council Congress & Expo, NSC Safety Summit, and other key convening events.
Develop and implement a multi-year double-digit revenue and attendance growth strategy for NSC Congress & Expo.
Ability to develop creative solutions and experiences while streamlining operating procedures.
Reviews and approves all facilities and services; assists managers in negotiating with venues and outside contractors for Congress facilities and services.
Partnering with the Marketing and Communications team, develops and executes a marketing strategy to drive attendee and exhibitor interest in key events.
Assesses hotels and convention center facilities prior to approving contracts; develops and maintains good business relationships with suppliers; oversees all on-site Congress activities to resolve any problems and assure best performance.
Serves as Council staff representative to the Exhibitors Advisory Board.
Oversees and ensures arrangements for approximately 40 National Safety Council meetings and seminars held annually throughout the USA and internationally.
Responsible for ensuring all aspects of safety are first and foremost in the operations plan for all NSC events.