Manager, Events

American Chemical Society; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Health insurance

HSA/FSA

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Disability insurance

Work from anywhere (4 weeks)

Job summary

The American Chemical Society in Washington, DC, seeks a Manager of Events to lead all aspects of event logistics, budgeting, vendor management, and on-site execution for national and international meetings. The role collaborates with multiple departments to deliver high-impact programs and maintain operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, planning, and communication skills, with CMP/CMM/CEM certification preferred, and is willing to travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 8+ years of demonstrated meeting/event planning experience.
• Extensive knowledge of hospitality industry, conference planning and execution.
• CMP, CMM, CEM or other Meeting Industry certifications preferred.
• Experience in an association environment and global (outside of the US) event planning is a plus.
• Proficient in Asana, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), Adobe Acrobat, Zoom and databases.
• Strong leadership, communication, and program management skills.
• Ability to work nights and weekends; travel approximately 25%.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs and move around during events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with department leaders to develop and execute event strategies.
• Provide operational oversight and project management with timelines and planning meetings.
• Manage finances including budgets and financial reports.
• Provide logistical management for registration, housing, preshow and onsite for events.
• Manage RFPs, contracts, and vendor negotiations for sites and vendors; main contact for vendors.
• Coordinate with marketing to create and send event materials.
• Review and update standard operating procedures for the department.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Program management

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Time management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Asana

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Zoom

Databases

Job description

Division Overview

The mission of the ACS is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. The strategic objectives of the Department of Meetings and Exposition Services reflect the responsiveness of the Division in fulfilling the vision, mission, and values of ACS and meeting the needs of the changing chemistry enterprise.

Division Overview

The mission of the ACS is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. The strategic objectives of the Department of Meetings and Exposition Services reflect the responsiveness of the Division in fulfilling the vision, mission, and values of ACS and meeting the needs of the changing chemistry enterprise.

Job Title: Manager, Events

This position is responsible for event logistics management. The Manager, Events, will oversee and facilitate all aspects of meeting planning: project management; logistical management; financial management; conduct location and venue RFPs, site selection, and site visits; create and manage vendor RFP process, negotiation, contracting, and vendor communication; coordinate and manage event registration creation (in conjunction with registration staff); coordinate marketing (in conjunction with marketing staff); provide housing management; provide onsite staffing and logistical management; and create detailed post-event reports. In addition, the position will provide operational support for the department including budgeting and creating/updating standard operating procedures as well as support volunteer leaders with strategic planning for the organization.

Essential Job Duties

• Coordinate with the department leaders to develop and execute event strategies
• Provide operational oversite and project management for departmental and organizational goals which includes creating and managing production timelines (work plans) and conducting planning meetings with clients and partners
• Manage finances of projects including creating and managing meeting budgets and financial reports and tracking
• Provide logistical management to include registration, housing, etc. preshow and onsite for events
• Manage RFPs, selection, and contract negotiations for sites and vendors in several areas including: general services contractors, audio visual, catering, mobile apps, printers, shipping, and other vendors as required. Act as main point of contact for all vendors to ensure work is completed
• Coordinate with the marketing department to create, review, and send event marketing materials including emails, program books, ads, websites, and mobile apps
• Review and update standard operating procedures for department

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree; may have an advanced degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ Years of demonstrated meeting/event planning experience.
• Extensive knowledge of hospitality industry, specific to conference planning and execution. Excellent knowledge of industry best practices, procedures, and principles.
• Certification: CMP, CMM, CEM, or other Meeting Industry certifications preferred.
• Experience in an association environment and global (outside of the US) event planning is a plus.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in the use of Asana, Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, SmartSheets, and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, Zoom and databases.
• Skills: Solid leadership, communication, and program management skills with the ability to successfully mobilize diverse resources and effectively manage complex projects simultaneously. Customer service focused, detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities. Proficient in multi-tasking, organizing, managing, and tracking multiple projects on schedule. Support volunteer leaders with strategic planning for the organization.
• Possess critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate change champion attributes. Essential qualities include organizing, critical thinking, time management, strategic, collaborative, flexible, adaptable, and political approaches.
• Ability to work nights and weekends for successful execution of events. Ability to move about to accomplish tasks for many hours a day during events. Ability to lift 25 lbs. and work extended days during events
• Perform other duties as assigned by management
• Approximately 25% travel

This role is based in our Washington, DC office. ACS employees work a hybrid schedule, consisting of working onsite two days per work week, as decided by functional area. The balance of the week is open to working remotely, though employees are always welcome onsite each day if they choose.

A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $90,000 – $100,000 per year.

Benefits

• paid vacation leave
• paid sick leave
• paid holidays
• health insurance
• flexible spending account or health care savings account
• dental insurance
• life insurance
• vision insurance
• retirement benefits
• short- and long-term disability
• 4-week work from anywhere

Each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.