POSITION SUMMARY
The SCMC Director of Events leads the strategic planning and execution of all major events for South Carolina Manufacturers & Commerce, overseeing a comprehensive events portfolio that drives member engagement, industry advancement, and organizational growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- In consultation with President & CEO, VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, and other senior staff, develop and implement a comprehensive annual events strategy aligned with organizational goals and member needs
- Lead strategic planning sessions for major conferences, trade shows, networking events, and educational seminars
- Conduct market research and industry analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities
Financial Management & Business Development
- Track annual events budget exceeding $1.5M, ensuring profitability and ROI targets
- Lead sponsorship strategy and cultivate relationships with major corporate partners
- Solicit and secure event sponsors
- In coordination with VP of Member Relations, Strategy, and Programming, determine pricing strategies for registration, exhibitor fees, and premium experiences
- Continuously analyze event financial performance and provide regular detailed reporting
Vendor & Venue Management
- Source, evaluate, and manage relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, and other vendors
- Negotiate contracts for services and manage vendor performance
- Conduct site inspections and coordinate setup/breakdown activities
- Oversee vendor coordination during events and manage on-site troubleshooting
- Maintain comprehensive vendor database and performance records
Stakeholder Relations, Partnership Development & Marketing
- Serve as primary liaison with key sponsors and VIP attendees
- Lead crisis management and high-level problem resolution during events
- Serve as primary driver of agenda development, managing and overseeing SCMC working groups charged with recommending content
- Source guest speakers, coordinate agenda topics, and manage holistic agenda development
- Collaborate with marketing team on event promotion strategies and materials
Other Duties as Required
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
- 8+ years of progressive experience in large-scale event management, with 3+ years in leadership roles
- Proven track record managing events with budgets exceeding $400K and attendance over 450
- Strong business acumen with experience in P&L management and ROI analysis
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and presentation skills
- Experience with association management and trade organization dynamics preferred
- CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) or similar industry certification preferred
- Proficiency with event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite, etc.) and CRM systems
- Strong project management skills with ability to handle multiple concurrent events
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends during events
- In office presence during scheduled hours, and work collaboratively in face-to-face interactions with others (other staff, members, directors, vendors and the public)
- Prompt, Regular, predictable, and full attendance
- Ability to handle productivity requirements of job (fast paced, stressful, and full attention when exigent issues arise)
- Ability to work under strict deadlines and high levels of stress
- Ability to work effectively, efficiently and with a high degree of accuracy, despite stress, interruptions or other office distractions.
- Ability to set goals, meet deadlines, and work independently without excessive supervision or instruction
- Ability to concentrate in a normal office environment and follow through on a task to completion
- Ability to think quickly but calmly and communicate effectively during events as issues arise
- Ability to align multiple points of view, think critically about the consequences of actions and communications, and align all actions with the organization’s mission and the membership’s goals.
- Ability to multi-task and/or stop project to focus on other issues and then resume project
- Ability to work and sustain attention with distractions and/or interruptions
- Ability to learn new tasks or dynamic factual issues quickly, including the ability to read, comprehend and retain information quickly
- Ability to utilize time management skills and otherwise organize/prioritize tasks
- Ability to comprehend and understand both written and oral instructions
- Ability to remain poised under all circumstances, diffuse conflict with colleagues and/or customers/vendors/members, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner
- Ability to work as an integral part of a team
Travel
In-state travel. The expectation for the frequency of travel is between 15-20% of the Events Manager’s time.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation
- Competitive base salary plus performance-based incentives, at the discretion of SCMC President and CEO and Board leadership.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities and continuing education support
Working Conditions
- Primary office location, with regular travel throughout the state
- Some evening and weekend work required for industry events and networking functions