Director, Event Services - Houston First

Houston First recognizes and appreciates the importance of cultivating an environment that nurtures talent; is equitable and values different perspectives and backgrounds; and, above all, is respectful to everyone.

Our company is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Event Services to lead our team in providing logistical support for the planning and execution of various event-related activities. This role encompasses citywide site inspections, familiarization visits, special events, hospitality events, advisory boards, partnership events, sponsorships, pre-promotion events, key industry trade shows, marketing initiatives, tourism, and people and culture initiatives. The Director will work closely with each department to strategically plan, support, and deliver events that align with the organization's mutual goals and objectives.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• ☒ Supervises: Managers and Sr. Manager.
• ☒ Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, and supervising team members.
• ☒ Plan, assign, and appraise performance; reward and discipline team members, address complaints and resolve problems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

• Assists VP, Event Services with planning and executing Houston First Events
• Assists VP, Event Services with preparing budget, business plan, and objectives for the department.
• Partners with Live Events Director, direct Event Services and Live Events in event assignments to maximize resources and leverage appropriate roles and responsibilities.
• Develops programs and event plans; budgets; leads production, entertainment, and services teams; and manages partner vendors and subcontractors.
• Reviews and reconciles monthly Events Services expenditures.
• Reviews budgets, and financial commitments to clients and monitors allocation
• Assists VP and Sr. Manager with assigning projects to event services managers.
• Conducts weekly staff meetings and reviews project plans, timelines, and deliverables for upcoming event activities.
• Reviews and approves administrative items, i.e., travel authorizations, expense reports, collateral requests, purchase orders, etc.
• Establishes and cultivates working relationships with key industry partners and suppliers that support our collective efforts to showcase Houston.
• Provides strategy/recommendations to enhance customer experience at each engagement opportunity.
• Posts events make recommendations to enhance and improve upcoming events.
• Coordinates and communicates customer post-site visitation, post event and partner event evaluations.
• Maintains concise follow-up reporting of event and Return on Investment (ROI) measurement.
• Attends key industry programs and events to maintain a level of knowledge on industry trends.
• Maintains and updates superior technology tools (registrations, survey, etc.) to support hosted events.
• Maintains and updates company exhibit and booth property to display Houston.
• Visits and explores member venues to maintain an up-to-date knowledge base of capabilities to best showcase Houston.
• Negotiates contracts venue entertainment and ancillary services.
• Other duties and special projects as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 years experience in management experience along with 8 years of hospitality experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong computer literacy with ability to use programs such as MS Word and Excel
• Proven team leader with a prominent level of energy and motivation
• Coaching and counseling skills
• Outstanding oral, written and listening communication skills.
• The ability to motivate and inspire teams to produce consistent and quality work.
• Understanding, yet persuasive and decisive when dealing with others both inside and outside the organization

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• ☒No major sources of discomfort; normal office environment
• ☒ Ability to work weekends, evenings, and nights regularly
• ☒ Extra hours are required occasionally to meet deadlines or work events
• ☒ Ability to travel to local/ tradeshows/conventions/ conferences/ training and development (less than 20% of the year)

Powered by JazzHR