Vice President, Events - Western Hemisphere

Society of Petroleum Engineers International; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k Matching Funds

Medical Benefits Starting Day 1

Long Weekends with a 9/80 schedule

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Gym membership benefits

Employee Well Being Program

Job summary

A leading energy organization seeks a Vice President, Events to provide strategic leadership across the Western Hemisphere. This role demands exceptional executive leadership and operational oversight for all events. Responsibilities include managing budgets, establishing strategic direction, and ensuring operational excellence while advancing the organization's mission within the oil and gas industry. Candidates should have extensive experience in large-scale event planning, stakeholder management, and financial oversight. This hybrid position also offers multiple benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of executive leadership experience ideally in an international setting.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills for complex communications.
• Vendor management experience, including contracts and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for the Western Hemisphere event portfolio.
• Develop and manage the annual events budget.
• Oversee event operations for quality and brand alignment.

Skills

Executive leadership experience within events

Large-scale event planning

Strong commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Budget ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Vice President, Events – Western Hemisphere

Location

Houston, Texas (hybrid)

Organization

Solutions. People. Energy. These three words define how we work together to create impact. Our members gain access to premier programs, content, and events designed to accelerate professional growth and career development, while fostering a strong network and sense of community. SPE employees are proud to contribute to a community that’s making a difference globally!

From our beginning in the early 1900’s, SPE has grown to nearly 132,000 members in 146 countries. SPE is a 501(c)(3) not‑for‑profit organization with operations around the world. SPE maintains offices in Calgary, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, and Kuala Lumpur.

Opportunity

The Vice President, Events – Western Hemisphere provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all SPEI events across the Western Hemisphere, including all of North and South America. This role is accountable for the financial performance, strategic alignment, operational excellence, and continuous improvement of SPE’s event portfolio in the region, while advancing SPE’s mission, member value, and global business impact. With your qualifications, you may be on the path to an exciting new career serving the oil and gas industry professionals.

Impact you will make in this role

• Set strategic direction for the Western Hemisphere event portfolio, ensuring alignment with SPE’s mission, strategic plan, Board initiatives, and event objectives
• Translate Board directives and organizational strategy into actionable operational plans for Events in the Western Hemisphere
• Develop, manage, and deliver the annual events budget for the Western Hemisphere, delivering the approved net surplus
• Oversee event operations to ensure consistent quality, brand alignment, and execution excellence across all regions
• Build and sustain strong relationships with key regional stakeholders, sister societies, sponsors, and event partners
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline event processes and systems in collaboration with the Vice President, Events – Eastern Hemisphere
• Report regularly to the SPEI Board of Directors on event performance, progress, key outcomes, financial results, and success against objectives
• Develop financially successful new events that support SPE’s mission in collaboration with regional stakeholders
• Collaborate with SPE colleagues to grow SPE’s reach, membership, and business impact in the Western Hemisphere
• Guide Event Directors in developing relevant, high‑impact, and financially sustainable regional event portfolios
• Support Event Directors in cultivating relationships with senior regional executives, Regional Board members, and SPEI Regional Directors
• Develop and mentor talent within the Western Hemisphere events organization, including professional development and succession planning
• Partner with Sales and Business Development leaders to develop compelling value propositions for events
• Oversee procurement of vendors and contractors in collaboration with the Vice President, Events – Eastern Hemisphere
• Review financial performance and optimize event profitability and attendee experience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across the regional events team
• Monitor event industry trends, standards, and technologies to ensure best‑in‑class experiences
• Ensure compliance with global sanctions, data privacy laws, and other regulatory requirements impacting events
• Serve as Executive Director or Board Member for selected entities within the SPEI legal structure.
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned to support organizational priorities and evolving business needs

Supervisory responsibilities

Direct Reports:

• Up to three (3) Directors covering North America, Canada, and OTC Brazil
• Business Development Director, North America
• Sales Managers based in North America

Indirect Reports:

• Approximately 25 staff members across the Western Hemisphere events and business development functions

Your skills and expertise

• Bachelor degree in business administration or relevant field – Master level degree preferred
• 15+ years of executive leadership experience within events and/or association management within an international environment
• Advanced knowledge of large‑scale event planning, execution, and portfolio management
• Demonstrated experience working with Board and committee facilitation/management
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on growth and business improvement
• Extensive vendor management experience, including contracts and negotiations
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and an ability to communicate complex business ideas
• Proven budget ownership and financial management expertise
• Oil and gas industry experience preferred
• Not‑for‑profit and/or Association experience strongly preferred

Additional attributes for success in this role

• Flexible and collaborative, with the ability to work across different cultures, regions, and functions
• Ability to work in both office and remote environments as required
• This position requires some travel, up to 30%, including international travel

Benefits and perks

• Long Weekends – if you enjoy long weekends, you will really appreciate our 9/80 schedule which allows for every other Friday off!
• 401k Matching Funds – generous retirement program with 100% matching funds for U.S. employees
• Medical Benefits Starting Day 1 – all the great medical benefits that you would expect from a top employer with multiple available plans to fit your needs – medical, dental, vision (starting from your first day of employment – no waiting period)
• Disability & Life Insurance – company paid employee disability and life insurance with the option to add spouse and children
• Personal Time Off (PTO) – available as soon as you accrue your time off, up to four weeks annually which increases after five years
• Holiday Pay (8 days) – including day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
• Hybrid Work Model – your role may allow you to work remotely several days a week or more with periodic commute to a local office
• Tuition Reimbursement Program – you may qualify for 80% reimbursement on approved courses/degrees
• Employee Well Being Program – at no cost to employee – includes emotional support, work‑life solutions, referrals for childcare, home repairs, legal guidance, financial resources and online support for expert advice
• Other Great Benefits – pet insurance, gym membership, exclusive discounts on brands and experiences you know and love.

To avoid delays in considering your application, please complete all questions within the application including your expected salary range for this role.

Society of Petroleum Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.