Senior Director of Events and Meetings

Senior Director, Events and Meetings

A prominent national medical research nonprofit seeks a seasoned Senior Director, Events and Meetings, to lead its signature scientific meetings and fundraising galas. This is a rare opportunity for a polished, strategic events leader who understands that an exceptional convening is equal parts meticulous planning, sharp negotiation, and gracious hospitality. In this newly created senior role, this individual will bring the organization's major events under one accountable leader, setting strategy and standards, owning a multimillion-dollar budget, and directing execution from sourcing through on-site delivery.

The organization's convenings are central to its mission, bringing leading researchers together with the patients, donors, and partners who make the work possible. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this leader will serve as the in-house expert and trusted advisor on meetings and events to the CEO and Chief Medical Officer.

You will serve as the single accountable leader for every signature meeting and event, from the first site visit to the final reconciliation.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and leading a multi-year events strategy, annual events calendar, and goals and KPIs for each event.
• Leading venue strategy, site visits, and negotiation of hotel and venue contracts, including attrition, F&B minimums, concessions, and AV exclusives.
• Owning event budgets across a multimillion-dollar portfolio, from annual forecasting through post-event reconciliation.
• Overseeing multi-hotel room blocks, registration, and event technology.
• Ensuring a seamless experience for speakers, researchers, and patient participants.
• Directing production, AV, food and beverage, dcor, transportation, and security, and serving as event lead on site.
• Partnering with Philanthropy to deliver polished, high-touch gala and donor weekends for major donors, sponsors, and VIP guests.
• Selecting and managing vendors and agency partners with professionalism and accountability.
• Building the processes, tools, and playbooks of the events function, along with contingency and risk management plans.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who combines the rigor of a seasoned conference planner with the polish of a high-end gala producer.

They are as comfortable negotiating a seven-figure hotel contract or running a 700-person scientific meeting as they are hosting an intimate donor dinner, briefing senior leadership, or resolving an unexpected on-site challenge with calm confidence and discretion.

Above all, they are strategic and data-driven, with a genuine commitment to service and a natural ability to make every attendee feel welcomed and cared for.

Candidates may come from backgrounds such as:

• Scientific, Medical, or Association Conference Management
• Nonprofit Special Events and Fundraising Galas
• Luxury Hotel and Resort Event Sales or Operations
• Event Production or Destination Management Agencies
• Corporate Meetings and Incentive Travel
• Director of Events or Head of Meetings Roles

Qualifications

• Six or more years planning large-scale meetings and events, including three or more years in a senior or lead role.
• Demonstrated leadership of an annual conference of 500 to 1,000 attendees with multi-hotel room blocks.
• A proven record negotiating seven-figure hotel and venue contracts and managing event budgets of $1 million or more.
• Experience producing high-end fundraising galas or donor events for high-net-worth audiences.
• Hands-on experience with registration platforms (e.g., Cvent, Bizzabo) and strong Excel skills.
• Exceptional communication skills and comfort with senior executives, scientists, board-level donors, and patients.
• Ability to travel regularly and work evenings and weekends during event periods; CMP or CSEP designation preferred.

Schedule:

Monday Friday, 9 am 5:30 pm, with flexibility for travel

Compensation

The compensation package is anticipated to range from $110,000 to $135,000, commensurate with experience, along with a competitive benefits package.

If you are seeking a salary above this range, please include a brief paragraph with your application explaining why your experience and qualifications merit a higher salary.

To Apply:

Please apply at www.mahlermatch.com for consideration; if already on our job board, click Apply Now. Qualified applicants will be contacted.

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Our Story:

Mahler Private Staffing works with America’s leading families to find experienced private domestic staffing professionals for their homes and family offices. We take a personalized approach and work to get to know our candidates as well as we know our clients, so we can make lasting, long-term placements.

Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, we regret that we are unable to provide individual responses. Rest assured that selected candidates will be personally contacted for further consideration. We would like to emphasize that there are no fees associated with the application process for applicants.