Sr. Manager, Event Strategy & Design

NeighborWorks America•Washington, DC

11d•$98,500 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

NeighborWorks America is seeking a Senior Manager, Event Strategy and Design to join their Training Division. This pivotal leadership role is responsible for the comprehensive management of all facets of meeting planning. The incumbent will oversee the strategic execution of diverse training events, ranging from intimate gatherings of 25 participants to large-scale conferences accommodating over 2,500 attendees. This role requires adept leadership and advanced event strategies to ensure seamless execution and exceptional attendee experiences in virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats. The organization emphasizes a collaborative, diverse, and hybrid work environment, supporting mission-driven work with competitive total rewards and industry-leading benefits. NeighborWorks America has a 45-year history of working to make every community a place of opportunity, providing grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, and professional learning as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. They are committed to building a high-performing work culture guided by core values of accountability, integrity, curiosity, excellence, respect, and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or an equivalent combination of training and experience in procurement services or understanding of training delivery services.
Minimum of 6 years of experience in meeting planning in a non-profit environment or similar.
Proven, measurable success in directing the logistical management of meetings with 2,000+ attendees, concurrent functions, numerous meal functions, networking events, and other events for executive-level individuals or groups.
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred.
Attention to detail and excellent proofreading skills.
Analytical skills and the ability to think strategically.
Must be adept at assessing current and potential event-related risk, identifying current risks, and proposing potential solutions and/or contingency measures.
Demonstrated organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
Strong interpersonal/customer service skills for communication with internal staff and training participants from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to exercise initiative and leadership in motivating others.
Ability to make sound decisions while supporting the NW mission and leadership vision.
Entrepreneurial creativity – the ability to adjust to and create new projects and work independently.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).
Strong work ethic with an enthusiastic, positive attitude, and the highest level of integrity.
Ability to travel approximately 5 to 9 trips per year, for 5 to 12 days.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities in a fast-paced environment and meet critical deadlines, working independently and as a team.
Maintain regular and timely attendance.
Sensitivity to racial, gender, sexual orientation and cultural differences.
Effective, respectful, and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders.
Listening effectively, seeks and accepts feedback.
Analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinking.
Considering the mission, objectives, and goals of NeighborWorks and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, data entry, data collection tools (ex. Airtables), and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

Nice To Haves

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of Training Division events.
Develop and implement event strategies tailored to the varying needs of events, including NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI), Community Leadership Institute (CLI), NeighborWorks Executive Symposium (NES), and Group Learning (GL), across virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats.
Drive end-to-end project management, from initial conception through post-event evaluation, ensuring projects are timely, within budget, and of the highest quality standard.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to design and execute engaging and impactful event programs, developing strategies to enhance attendee engagement and knowledge retention.
Utilize sales acumen to drive event participation and revenue generation.
Lead procurement efforts, leveraging legal expertise to negotiate contracts with venues, vendors, and service providers.
Ensure events adhere to regulatory requirements and organizational policies, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks and crises, and implementing contingency plans.
Exercise fiscal responsibility in managing event budgets and expenditures, conducting thorough financial analysis to optimize resource allocation and maximize Return on Investment and Return on Experience.
Champion initiatives to enhance the overall attendee experience, from registration through post-event follow-up, soliciting feedback and implementing improvements.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, partners, and stakeholders, and collaborate internally to foster cross-functional partnerships.
Provide critical thinking to incorporate emerging trends and technologies into future business processes that support the enhancement of the event's customer experience.
Continuously evaluate industry trends and technological advancements to drive innovation and adaptability in event planning and execution.
Utilize event management systems to gather and analyze data, extracting actionable insights to inform decision-making and improve future events.
Lead a thorough assessment of event proposals, leveraging strategic thinking to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and audience needs.
Provide informed recommendations on site selection and a range of meeting-related services, including accommodations, transportation, and technology infrastructure.
Establish a collaborative partnership with Communications and Marketing (C&M) to synchronize timelines and deliverables, ensuring seamless coordination throughout the event planning process.
Participate in the development of event materials, leveraging expertise in event strategy and audience engagement.
Prepare comprehensive documentation for venue/vendors, covering credit arrangements, deposits, tax exemptions, meeting room setups, menu selections, transportation, audiovisual requirements, and internet needs.
Undertake the development of logistics for Training events and special activities led by other divisions.
Oversee contracted hotel room blocks and conduct orientation sessions for hotel staff, ensuring seamless handling of housing and billing procedures.
Maintain historical records and files per established document retention policies, ensuring compliance and accessibility for future reference and auditing purposes.
Undertake various research, writing, and creative projects as directed by organizational leadership.