National Events Manager

IDEA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IDEA in the Mid-Atlantic region seeks a National Events Manager to oversee the operational planning, management, and execution of organization-wide events, ensuring compliance with IDEA’s policies and brand standards.

You will lead event planning, budgeting, vendor coordination, and on-site supervision, while guiding Regional Event Coordinators and collaborating with Marketing to deliver consistent, high-quality experiences at major initiatives and conferences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Experience coordinating events and managing budgets.
• Ability to travel as needed to support organizational activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day planning, coordination, and execution of events from initial planning through post-event evaluation.
• Develop event timelines, budgets, logistics plans, and deliverables to stay on schedule.
• Lead venue sourcing, site selection, negotiations, and contracting.
• Coordinate hotels, transportation, travel, accommodations, catering, registration, and logistics.
• Oversee audiovisual, production, and on-site requirements with vendors and stakeholders.
• Train and mentor Regional Event Coordinators to ensure consistency.

Skills

Excellent verbal & written comms

Interpersonal & relationship-building

Problem-solving abilities

Detail-oriented & organized

Multitask & manage multiple projects

Negotiation & vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, hospitality management, public relations or related fields

Tools

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Event management software

Job description

Position Summary

The National Events Manager is responsible for the operational planning, management, and successful execution of events, while providing event management expertise and support for organization-wide initiatives. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director, Events & Strategic Campaigns, and this position will ensure events are executed efficiently, consistently, and in accordance with Islamic Development and Empowerment in America (IDEA)’s established policies, brand standards, and event guidelines.

Job Title: National Events Manager

Status: Full-time

Location: Mid-Atlantic (TBD)

Division: Funds Development

Position Summary

The National Events Manager is responsible for the operational planning, management, and successful execution of events, while providing event management expertise and support for organization-wide initiatives. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director, Events & Strategic Campaigns, and this position will ensure events are executed efficiently, consistently, and in accordance with Islamic Development and Empowerment in America (IDEA)’s established policies, brand standards, and event guidelines.

Key responsibilities include event planning and logistics, budget management, venue and vendor coordination, production oversight, timeline management, quality assurance, on-site supervision, and post-event evaluation. The National Events Manager will also provide guidance, training, and operational support to Regional Event Coordinators to promote consistency and quality across IDEA events.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day planning, coordination, and execution of events from initial planning through post-event evaluation, under the strategic direction of the Assistant Director, Events & Strategic Campaigns.
• Develop and manage event timelines, checklists, budgets, logistics plans, and operational deliverables to ensure events remain on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Lead venue sourcing, site selection, negotiations, and contracting, ensuring venues meet programmatic, operational, financial, and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate all event logistics, including hotels, transportation, travel, accommodations, catering, registration, and other operational needs.
• Manage audiovisual, production, staging, technical, and on-site requirements, coordinating closely with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Source, coordinate, and manage event vendors while ensuring adherence to contracts, budgets, timelines, and IDEA requirements.
• Develop and review event layouts, floor plans, room setups, signage placement, and guest-flow plans to support an effective and professional event experience.
• Manage the operational execution of key events and initiatives, including but not limited to PCD, ACD, Syria Tours, Cruises, Major Gift events, End-of-Year events, Grand Iftars, MQT, conventions, and other organizational events.
• Serve as the primary Events liaison with the Marketing team, coordinating event-specific marketing needs, deliverables, timelines, and assets to ensure all requirements are communicated, tracked, and completed on time.
• Work closely with Marketing to coordinate event collateral, digital assets, signage, branding, promotional materials, presentations, and other creative needs required for successful event execution.
• Proactively identify upcoming event marketing needs and provide Marketing with clear specifications, deadlines, and priorities to support timely delivery and minimize last-minute requests.
• Ensure consistent implementation of IDEA branding, messaging, programming, and event standards across all events, in coordination with the Assistant Director, Marketing, and other relevant departments.
• Conduct event quality assurance reviews, site visits, and operational assessments to ensure adherence to established standards, policies, and best practices.
• Train, mentor, and provide ongoing operational guidance and support to Regional Event Coordinators, while working collaboratively with their respective Regional Managers.
• Develop, maintain, and implement standardized event procedures, templates, checklists, documentation, and best practices across regions.
• Oversee and coordinate event inventory management across all regions, including tracking, distribution, replenishment, and appropriate use of event materials and assets.
• Identify potential operational challenges, troubleshoot issues, and develop timely solutions to ensure successful event execution.
• Coordinate closely with the Assistant Director, Events & Strategic Campaigns Coordinator on event priorities, quality assurance, escalations, and organization-wide event needs.
• Support post-event evaluations, including reviewing event performance, operational outcomes, budgets, feedback, and opportunities for improvement.
• Travel regularly to events and conventions to provide on-site operational leadership, supervision, and quality assurance.

Qualifications And Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, hospitality management, public relations or related fields, preferred.
• Minimum 2-4 years of experience in coordinating events.
• This position requires travel as needed to support organizational activities.
• Well organized and can multi-task with ease.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with standard office suites (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to adapt in challenge-rising situations.
• Excellent ability to work across multiple software for event management.
• Ability to perform well under high-pressure and/or fast moving situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to meet organizational goals.
• Ability to negotiate on vendor contracts to secure the best rates.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and provide guidance on coordination to direct report(s).
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

At Islamic Development & Empowerment in America (IDEA), we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IDEA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Integrity, Service, Resilience, Social Innovation, and Collaboration. In accordance with these values, IDEA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.