American Hotel & Lodging Association hiring Senior Vice President, Conferences and Events in Washington, District of Columbia, United States | LinkedIn (2024)

Position Summary:AHLA is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Vice President to lead our Conferences and Events department. As the Senior Vice President, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth & expansion of our current events offerings and identifying new business opportunities. Your leadership and vision will be instrumental in driving the revenue growth, profitability, and innovation of our conferences and events portfolio. This is a senior executive position that requires a proven track record in event management, business development, and strategic planning.

Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a strategic vision and global roadmap for the conferences and events portfolio, aligned with the organization's goals and objectives
• Collaborate with other senior executives to ensure that conferences and events initiatives are integrated with the overall organizational strategy
• Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to drive continuous improvement and ensure the organization remains at the forefront of event planning and execution

Growth Mindset:

• Identify opportunities to expand and diversify our current events offerings to meet the evolving needs of our target audience.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, industry gaps, and potential areas for growth.
• Develop business cases and proposals for new events, including market potential, financial projections, and feasibility assessments

Business Development:

• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders, sponsors, and key stakeholders to enhance event offerings and generate new business opportunities
• Lead negotiations and contract discussions with potential sponsors, vendors, and event partners
• Develop and implement effective marketing and promotional strategies to maximize event participation and revenue generation

Event Planning and Execution:

• Oversee the planning, development, and execution of a diverse portfolio of conferences, seminars, workshops, and other events.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand event objectives, target audience, and desired outcomes, ensuring events are strategically aligned and meet organizational goals

Budget and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage the department's budget, ensuring financial goals are met and resources are allocated effectively
• Monitor and track event budgets, expenses, and revenues, providing regular reports to senior leadership

Team Leadership and Development:

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, providing guidance, coaching, and mentoring to enhance individual and collective performance
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork, creativity, and innovation

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with industry professionals, thought leaders, and key stakeholders to enhance the organization's reputation and influence
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events, leveraging opportunities for partnership and business development

RequirementsEducation and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in business administration, event planning, or a related field
• PMP Certification preferred
• 12+ years of relevant experience
• Significant project management experience

Skills and Attributes:

• Proven track record of success in event management, business development, and strategic planning, preferably in a similar senior leadership role
• Strong business acumen with the ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities
• Experience in large tradeshow/conference management
• Track record including international events
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams
• Excellent negotiation, networking, and relationship-building skills
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing event budgets
• Strong ability for collaboration is key to success in this role.

Other:

• Position based in the Washington DC area
• Rotating hybrid work schedule: In-office Tues-Thurs and Mon-Thurs every other week
• Moderate travel required
• Salary: $200,000-$230,000

AHLA is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.EOEBenefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Home
• Free Food & Snacks