Position: Senior Manager, Conferences  

Department: Conferences
FLSA Classification: Exempt 

Position reports to: Director, Membership, Marketing, and Communications (MMC)
 

Position Summary: 

The Senior Manager, Conferences has overall responsibility for planning, budgeting, implementation, evaluation, and management of DMEC’s in-person conferences and associated virtual education offerings. This position requires close collaboration with DMEC staff, members, sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers and displays DMEC’s core values in all communication and interactions. The position requires minimal supervision and is capable of working with and managing people of all skill levels and positions.  

Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

Administration and Management 

• Assists the VP, Operations, CEO, and Director of MMC in the development and management of a multi-year strategic conference plan, ensuring continual improvement of DMEC conferences and exceptional educational opportunities for attendees.  
• Develops and manages project plans and deadlines related to all aspects of DMEC conferences, ensuring that all necessary information is communicated with and completed by staff, volunteers, third-party vendors, and other constituents.
• Creates and manages the annual DMEC conferences budget, including forecast development, expense scheduling and monitoring, and variance analysis.  
• Provides supervision, leadership, and direction to the Conference Manager
• Works closely with DMEC staff, vendors, and volunteers to develop and implement successful conferences and events

Conference/Event Planning and Logistics 

• Leads the evaluation and selection of DMEC conference locations, including site visits, contract negotiations, and function space allocation and layout.
• Leads the identification, contract negotiation, and management of third-party vendors (hotels, restaurants, AV contractors, security services, exhibit services, graphic designers, entertainment, transportation companies, and other vendors) for DMEC conferences. 

• Leads the program development, including speaker/session solicitation and selections, for DMEC conferences in coordination with the education and communications departments, DMEC leadership team, and volunteer committees.
• Oversees the CEU applications, approvals, and management processes for DMEC conferences.
• Oversees the management of the exhibitor and sponsor processes for both conferences. 
• Leads and manages the Cadmium program as it relates to mobile app and website development, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and evaluations.
• Works closely with the DMEC marketing department to oversee the development of the conference branding and graphic design needs for DMEC conferences.
• Works closely with the DMEC membership department with the management of the Ambassador Program to include management of the conference first-time attendee program.
• Oversees the management of the conference audio visual process to include solicitation, program development, management prior to the conference and staff liaison prior to and onsite at the conference for AV company for all speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors.
• Leads the management of the conference trade show process to include solicitation of a general services contractor, trade-show development, management prior to the conference and staff liaison prior to and onsite at the conference for the GSC, staff, hotel, exhibitors, and sponsors.
• Leads the management of onsite activities, including room sets, AV set-up, exhibit hall, and registration set-up/tear down, etc. 
• Manages all venue sourcing, special events, overnight accommodations, room blocks, reservations, meals, and special requests for staff, speakers, VIPs, etc. for DMEC conferences, staff and board meetings, and Executive Advisory Board meetings.  
• Leads and manages staffing and volunteer scheduling for DMEC conferences.  
• Oversees, plans, and manages all special activities held in conjunction with DMEC conferences. 
• Oversees the planning, management, and implementation of DMEC’s online virtual education related to DMEC’s in-person conferences. 
• Works closely with the DMEC IT department to develop conference related dashboards and reports.
• Performs other duties, tasks, and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

(Knowledge, skills, and abilities are the qualifications an individual needs in order to perform the essential functions of the job.)
 

• Must have strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, assimilate feedback from multiple stakeholders, and adhere to tight deadlines. 
• Must be self-motivated, results-oriented, and a team player. 

• Must be capable of consulting with internal staff to achieve conference and organizational goals.  
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and work well within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Must have demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to lead and work effectively within and across departments.
• Must have excellent communication and written skills. 
• Must be an ambitous, life-long learner who strives for continuous improvement and advancement.

Education: 

(The minimum educational qualifications an individual needs in order to perform the essential functions of the job.)
 

• Bachelor's degree (event management or general business-related field preferred) 
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred

Experience: 

(The minimum experience level and qualifications an individual needs in order to perform the essential functions of the job.) 

• 7-10+ years of experience in planning and executing multi-day national meetings for groups of 250 to 1,000 attendees, or equivalent combination of education and experience required. 
• Association experience preferred. 
• Experienced and comfortable with IT programs used to manage events; Cadmium & ON24 preferred
• Database experience in Salesforce/ARM or similar program

This is a summary of the current basic employment benefits. Individual benefit programs may be amended or deleted at management’s sole discretion at any time. An employee handbook will be provided to you for more complete benefit information about DMEC’s benefit plans upon hire.?  

Employees are eligible on the date of hire for the following benefits:?
 

• 40 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year, unless a greater amount is required under state of local law?
• 4.62 vacation hours accrued per pay period (3 weeks per year)?
• 40 hours of bereavement leave?
• 401K retirement plan with 100% company match up to 4% of salary?
• Flexible spending accounts?
• Eight (8) holidays, plus your birthday (floating holiday); in addition, the DMEC office is closed for two days following each in-person conference (2 conferences per year), and Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day each year (employees will be paid for any workdays that fall during that period)
• Employees become eligible for group health and welfare benefits on the first of the month after completion of 30 days of employment.
• Fully paid health, dental, vision, group life, and disability insurance (short-term and long-term)
• Employees are eligible on the first of the month following 60 days of employment for the following benefits:
  • 80 Hours of Paid Family Leave per year

Equipment:??
 

DMEC will provide the necessary computer (laptop and printer) for the employees’ home office as well as a monthly technology stipend of $100. 

Additional Requirements 

• Employment verification
• Education verification
• Criminal history check
• Credit check
• Reference checks

Work Environment:
 
This is a remote position. A quiet home office is required. Frequent travel is required.