Event Operations Director

Emerald; San Juan Capistrano (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited vacation

Flexible locations

401(k) plan

Medical coverage

Dental + Vision

Parental leave

Caregiver leave

FSA benefits

Toastmasters

Professional development

Job summary

Emerald is seeking a Director, Event Operations to lead strategic and tactical event plans, manage teams, and drive cost-effective execution for internal and external customers. The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with brand teams, and the ability to optimize attendee experience across multiple shows.

The Director will oversee budgets, RFP processes, exhibitor communications, show design concepts, sponsorships, and post-show analysis, while advancing Emerald’s policies across

Qualifications

• 7+ years of event operations experience, preferably in the tradeshow industry.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams and managing external partners.
• Experience creating and managing event budgets with full P&L accountability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Smartsheet, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Direct strategic overall plan of operations for assigned events working with brand teams to ensure successful staging.
• Develop and manage event budgets to maximize event value proposition and brand objectives including month-end reporting, budget revisions, and post-show reconciliation.
• Create RFPs, review and analyze proposals, negotiate and oversee management and placement of ancillary vendor contracts.
• Develop event floor plans working with sales, the facility, and the GSC to maximize revenue and customer experience.
• Lead planning and detailed execution of all assigned expo and special events pre-show and onsite.
• Lead the planning and execution of show design concepts and event graphics to enhance the brand experience working with all stakeholders.
• Lead the planning and execution of show design concepts, event graphics, and wayfinding strategy to enhance brand experience and optimize customer flow.
• Develop and oversee all exhibitor logistical communications including production of the Exhibitor Service Manual.
• Develop exhibitor initiatives to enhance experience throughout the customer journey.
• Drive implementation of Emerald policy and procedures across assigned events and be a leader through change.
• Create, source and oversee the management of expo and special features, identifying opportunities to enhance traffic and revenue, while maintaining P&L responsibility.
• Create and manage sponsorship P&Ls and oversee sponsorship fulfillment.
• Budget and oversee management of F&B opportunities within the event footprint.
• Oversee facility utilization working with all internal parties to support conference, marketing, and sales functions.
• Create and facilitate staff manual, pre-con and post-con event meetings with all stakeholders.
• Review and provide strategic input on facility and hotel contracts; manage housing strategy to maximize block utilization and commission revenue.
• Reconcile vendor invoices post-show and analyze to achieve cost savings for future events.
• Direct the work of Event Operations Managers and Coordinators assigned to your portfolio, providing operational guidance and mentorship regardless of formal reporting relationships
• Perform site inspections for assigned events as necessary
• Other Operations leadership projects as determined by Vice President, Operations

Skills

7+ years of event operations

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management with P&L

Attendance at least 50% travel

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Smartsheet

Outlook

Job description

Emerald is seeking a Director, Event Operations, to join our team. The Event Operations Director, is responsible for ensuring all event operations are developed with a strategic and tactical operational plan, and managed and executed efficiently and cost-effectively to exceed expectations for our internal and external customers.

The Event Operations Director leads project teams across internal functions and external partners, directing the work of Event Operations Managers and Coordinators on assigned shows. The best candidates will be experienced, highly motivated, and organized leaders who thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment while demonstrating Emerald's values of agility, excellence, and commitment.

Responsibilities

• Direct strategic overall plan of operations for assigned events working with brand teams to ensure successful staging
• Develop and manage event budgets to maximize event value proposition and brand objectives including month-end reporting, budget revisions, and post-show reconciliation
• Create RFPs, review and analyze proposals, negotiate and oversee management and placement of ancillary vendor contracts
• Develop event floor plans working with sales, the facility, and the GSC to maximize revenue and customer experience
• Lead planning and detailed execution of all assigned expo and special events pre-show and onsite
• Lead the planning and execution of show design concepts and event graphics to enhance the brand experience working with all stakeholders
• Lead the planning and execution of show design concepts, event graphics, and wayfinding strategy to enhance brand experience and optimize customer flow
• Develop and oversee all exhibitor logistical communications including production of the Exhibitor Service Manual
• Develop exhibitor initiatives to enhance experience throughout the customer journey
• Drive implementation of Emerald policy and procedures across assigned events and be a leader through change
• Create, source and oversee the management of expo and special features, identifying opportunities to enhance traffic and revenue, while maintaining P&L responsibility
• Create and manage sponsorship P&Ls and oversee sponsorship fulfillment
• Budget and oversee management of F&B opportunities within the event footprint
• Oversee facility utilization working with all internal parties to support conference, marketing, and sales functions
• Create and facilitate staff manual, pre-con and post-con event meetings with all stakeholders
• Review and provide strategic input on facility and hotel contracts; manage housing strategy to maximize block utilization and commission revenue
• Reconcile vendor invoices post-show and analyze to achieve cost savings for future events
• Direct the work of Event Operations Managers and Coordinators assigned to your portfolio, providing operational guidance and mentorship regardless of formal reporting relationships
• Perform site inspections for assigned events as necessary
• Other Operations leadership projects as determined by Vice President, Operations

Qualifications

• 7+ years of event operations experience, preferably in the tradeshow industry
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams and managing external partners
• Experience creating and managing event budgets with full P&L accountability
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Smartsheet, and Outlook
• Ability to travel up to 50%

About Emerald

At Emerald, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive community. We actively recruit and champion candidates who bring new perspectives from varied professional backgrounds and experiences, and we are intentional about ensuring a positive hiring experience for everyone. Our job postings don't contain experience inflation, and most don't require college degrees. Instead, they're crafted to focus on outcomes and transferable experiences that are assessed in a structured interview process carried out by trained hiring teams.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Please note that this range reflects a reasonable estimate of the target compensation for this position. This range may ultimately vary based on a candidate’s qualifications and may be higher where required by applicable law.

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to strengthen our employees' physical and mental health, including unlimited vacation for exempt employees, flexible working locations, 401(k) plan with a company match, medical/dental/vision coverage with inclusive provisions including transgender services and fertility benefits, parental and caregiver leave, dependent, commuter and FSA benefits, professional development programs like Toastmasters, and mental wellness tools.

If you need accommodation in our application process or have questions about our posted salary range, please email our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

About Emerald

Emerald's talented and experienced teams grow our customers' businesses 365 days a year with products that create connections, deliver content, and drive commerce. We produce over 140 annual events, create and deliver content through print and digital channels, and power commerce through our seamlessly integrated in-person and digital platforms and channels. For more information, please visit http://www.emeraldx.com.