Director of Events

Together SC; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan with company

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce (SCMC) seeks a Director of Events to lead the planning and execution of its major events portfolio, driving member engagement, industry advancement, and organizational growth.

Partner with senior leaders to shape an annual events strategy, oversee conferences, trade shows, and seminars, and manage market research to identify trends and opportunities. The role includes budgeting, sponsorships, vendor oversight, and on-site operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in large-scale event management, with 3+ years in leadership roles.
• Experience managing events with budgets over $400K and attendance over 450.
• CMP certification or similar industry certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual events strategy aligned with goals and member needs.
• Lead planning sessions for conferences, trade shows, networking events, and educational seminars.
• Track budgets and maximize profitability and ROI targets.
• Manage sponsorships and cultivate major corporate partnerships.
• Oversee vendor selection, contracts, and on-site event operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Cvent

Eventbrite

CRM systems

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The SCMC Director of Events leads the strategic planning and execution of all major events for South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce, overseeing a comprehensive events portfolio that drives member engagement, industry advancement, and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• In consultation with President & CEO, VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, and other senior staff, develop and implement a comprehensive annual events strategy aligned with organizational goals and member needs
• Lead strategic planning sessions for major conferences, trade shows, networking events, and educational seminars
• Conduct market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities

Financial Management & Business Development

• Track annual events budget exceeding $1.5M, ensuring profitability and ROI targets
• Lead sponsorship strategy and cultivate relationships with major corporate partners
• Solicit and secure event sponsors
• In coordination with VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, determine pricing strategies for registration, exhibitor fees, and premium experiences
• Continuously analyze event financial performance and provide regular detailed reporting

Vendor & Venue Management

• Source, evaluate, and manage relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, and other vendors
• Negotiate contracts for services and manage vendor performance
• Conduct site inspections and coordinate setup/breakdown activities
• Oversee vendor coordination during events and manage on-site troubleshooting
• Maintain comprehensive vendor database and performance records

Stakeholder Relations, Partnership Development & Marketing

• Serve as primary liaison with key sponsors and VIP attendees
• Lead crisis management and high-level problem resolution during events
• Serve as primary driver of agenda development, managing and overseeing SCMC working groups charged with recommending content
• Source guest speakers, coordinate agenda topics, and manage holistic agenda development
• Collaborate with marketing team on event promotion strategies and materials

Other Duties as Required

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in large-scale event management, with 3+ years in leadership roles
• Proven track record managing events with budgets exceeding $400K and attendance over 450
• Strong business acumen with experience in P&L management and ROI analysis
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills
• Experience with association management and trade organization dynamics preferred
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) or similar industry certification preferred
• Proficiency with event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite, etc.) and CRM systems
• Strong project management skills with ability to handle multiple concurrent events
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends during events
• In office presence during scheduled hours, and work collaboratively in face-to-face interactions with others (other staff, members, directors, vendors and the public)
• Prompt, Regular, predictable, and full attendance
• Ability to handle productivity requirements of job (fast paced, stressful, and full attention when exigent issues arise)
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and high levels of stress
• Ability to work effectively, efficiently and with a high degree of accuracy, despite stress, interruptions or other office distractions.
• Ability to set goals, meet deadlines, and work independently without excessive supervision or instruction
• Ability to concentrate in a normal office environment and follow through on a task to completion
• Ability to think quickly but calmly and communicate effectively during events as issues arise
• Ability to align multiple points of view, think critically about the consequences of actions and communications, and align all actions with the organization’s mission and the membership’s goals.
• Ability to multi-task and/or stop project to focus on other issues and then resume project
• Ability to work and sustain attention with distractions and/or interruptions
• Ability to learn new tasks or dynamic factual issues quickly, including the ability to read, comprehend and retain information quickly
• Ability to utilize time management skills and otherwise organize/prioritize tasks
• Ability to comprehend and understand both written and oral instructions
• Ability to remain poised under all circumstances, diffuse conflict with colleagues and/or customers/vendors/members, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team

Travel

In-state travel. The expectation for the frequency of travel is between 15-20% of time.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives, at the discretion of SCMC President and CEO and Board leadership.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities and continuing education support

Working Conditions

• Primary office location, with regular travel throughout the state
• Some evening and weekend work required for industry events and networking functions