Director Event Marketing & Experiences

Joint Commission; Oakbrook Terrace (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Joint Commission seeks a Director of Event Marketing & Experiences to lead its enterprise events portfolio, collaborating with the Chief Marketing Officer and cross-functional leaders to deliver domestic and international events that advance the organization’s mission and brand. This role emphasizes strategy, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and measurable outcomes.

The leader will oversee internal and external events, industry tradeshows, and major conferences such as SPARK and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event management, marketing, communications, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years leading complex events, conferences, tradeshows, or large programs; healthcare/nonprofit/education backgrounds preferred.
• Experience planning domestic and international events with multiple stakeholders and complex logistics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead enterprise-wide events strategy aligned with brand and objectives.
• Partner with CM0, marketing, and leadership to deliver high-impact events.
• Plan and execute domestic and international events, conferences, and tradeshows.
• Lead major conferences like SPARK and UNIFY with strong program integration.
• Oversee event operations: budgeting, vendors, travel, logistics, AI/AV, sponsorships.

Skills

Event strategy

Budget management

Vendor management

Stakeholder engagement

Executive communication

Project management

Cvent

CMP/CSEP preferred

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Cvent

Registration systems

Event technology platforms

Job description

The Director of Event Marketing & Experiences will lead the strategy, planning, execution, and continuous improvement of Joint Commission’s enterprise event portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, this role will partner closely with the marketing and communications team, executive leadership, business units, external partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver high-impact domestic and international events that advance Joint Commission’s mission, strengthen its brand, deepen stakeholder engagement, and support organizational growth.

The Director of Event Marketing & Experiences will lead the strategy, planning, execution, and continuous improvement of Joint Commission’s enterprise event portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, this role will partner closely with the marketing and communications team, executive leadership, business units, external partners, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver high-impact domestic and international events that advance Joint Commission’s mission, strengthen its brand, deepen stakeholder engagement, and support organizational growth. This leader will partner with Marketing to oversee events at industry tradeshows, conferences, thought leadership programs, plan internal and external events, and major enterprise conferences such as SPARK, Joint Commission’s large education conference, and UNIFY, Joint Commission’s major external conference. The Head of Events & Experiences will bring strategic vision, operational excellence, strong executive presence, and a collaborative leadership style to ensure every event reflects the organization’s standards for quality, professionalism, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an enterprise-wide events strategy aligned with Joint Commission’s brand, marketing priorities, stakeholder engagement goals, and organizational objectives.
• Serve as the primary events leader and strategic partner to the Chief Marketing Officer, marketing and communications team, executive leadership, and key business stakeholders.
• Plan and execute domestic and international events, conferences, tradeshows, sponsored programs, leadership convenings, and internal events.
• Lead the planning and delivery of major enterprise conferences, including SPARK and UNIFY, ensuring strong program integration, operational excellence, attendee experience, logistics, and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with marketing to integrate events into broader campaigns, audience engagement strategies, sponsorship opportunities, communications plans, digital promotion, and post-event follow-up.
• Collaborate with leadership and subject matter experts to support agenda development, speaker coordination, executive participation, session flow, and audience experience.
• Oversee event operations, including venue sourcing, vendor management, budgeting, registration, travel coordination, production, audiovisual needs, signage, exhibitor management, sponsorship fulfillment, risk planning, and onsite execution.
• Establish consistent event governance, planning processes, timelines, templates, standards, and measurement frameworks across the enterprise.
• Manage event budgets, forecasts, contracts, purchase processes, and vendor relationships to ensure fiscal responsibility and strong return on investment.
• Build and maintain relationships with hotels, convention centers, production vendors, event management partners, technology platforms, and other external partners.
• Lead cross-functional planning teams and provide clear direction, accountability, and communication throughout the event lifecycle.
• Use data, attendee feedback, registration trends, engagement metrics, and business outcomes to evaluate event effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Ensure events reflect Joint Commission’s reputation, mission, brand standards, accessibility expectations, compliance requirements, and commitment to quality and safety.
• Anticipate and resolve complex event challenges with sound judgment, urgency, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Represent Joint Commission with professionalism and executive presence at events, conferences, partner meetings, and stakeholder engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event management, marketing, communications, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience leading complex events, conferences, tradeshows, executive meetings, or large‑scale programs; experience in healthcare, association, nonprofit, accreditation, education, or professional services environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multi‑day conferences with significant attendance, multiple stakeholders, executive participation, sponsors, exhibitors, and complex logistics.
• Experience planning both domestic and international events, including familiarity with travel, cultural, vendor, compliance, and operational considerations.
• Strong understanding of how events support brand strategy, marketing campaigns, lead generation, stakeholder engagement, reputation, and revenue goals.
• Proven ability to collaborate with senior executives, marketing leaders, subject matter experts, vendors, and cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent project management, budget management, negotiation, vendor management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication skills, including executive level written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
• Proficiency with event technology platforms, registration systems, mobile event apps, attendee engagement tools, and reporting dashboards; Cvent experience preferred.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), or similar credential preferred.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. The description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities, and working conditions associated with this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification and reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Field

We offer a comprehensive benefit package. For a complete overview of our benefits package, please visit our Joint Commission Career Page

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.