Director, Signature Events

Job Title: Director, Signature Events

Job ID: 27728478

Work Hybrid: Yes

Location: Houston, TX 77010

Other Location

Description

Why the Partnership
When you join the Greater Houston Partnership, you get the opportunity to work with an organization helping guide the future of the Houston region. Our team of professionals work across multiple disciplines, including: Economic Development (Regional and International), Executive, Finance & Accounting, Marketing & Communications, Member Engagement, Public Policy, Regional Workforce Development, Research, Resources, and the Center for Houston’s Future.

The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing more than 900 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact.

We look forward to telling you more about the organization and helping determine if a career with the Partnership is right for you!

Today, We Are Looking For
The Director, Signature Events is responsible for all aspects of Partnership event production, ensuring seamless program delivery and exceptional overall guest experience. The Director oversees process and budget optimization, execution, and evaluation of Partnership Signature Events. Working closely with the Vice President, the Director supports the delivery of initiative-aligned content and programming. The scope of work for this position also includes dedicated event management, onsite lead and event production, stage management, speaker preparation, and development and ownership of timelines and budgets. This position requires the ability to work smart in a fast-paced, high-pressure, nimble, and customer service-centered environment while also being an enthusiastic team player with high integrity and diplomacy. The Director leads a team responsible for the development, logistics, and production of the Partnership’s Signature and Extended Experience Events.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Member Engagement Division is responsible for the attraction, retention, and engagement of members. To achieve this, the Member Engagement Division works to secure adequate funding for the organization through membership, events, business resource groups, and special initiative fundraising.

The following responsibilities are essential to job performance:

Director leads the team responsible for overseeing the end-to-end execution of Signature Events, ensuring seamless logistics, high-quality production, and exceptional attendee experiences.
Provide leadership and guidance to a team of three event managers and two supporting coordinators, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment. Conduct regular performance evaluations and professional development initiatives.
Effectively collaborate with the following Partnership divisions: Member Engagement, Public Policy, Research, Workforce Development, Economic Development, One Houston Together, and Executive Office to optimize overall event delivery.
Direct on-site logistics for specifically assigned Partnership events. Serve a support role for all other Partnership events as needed by Event Managers.
Lead events team in all aspects of event planning including, but not limited to, logistics, budgets, event branding and marketing.
Effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, conveying event timelines and updates to ensure everyone is well-informed and aligned with overall event deliverables.
Identify and implement cost-savings tactics across aggregate event expenditures to drive profitability.
Leveraging experience and best practices, direct the optimization of operational efficiencies.
Stay abreast of industry trends and incorporate innovative elements into events to ensure they remain cutting-edge and relevant.
Oversee comprehensive evaluations of each Signature Event, analyzing key metrics, feedback, and overall success to refine future strategies and improve event outcomes.
Assist the Vice President in the development and subsequent management and tracking of the Events Department revenue and operating budgets.
Oversee the development and delivery of operating procedures for the Events department, including guidelines and overall best practices for collaborating across all divisions.
Direct the training and development for all staff volunteers.
Maintain good working relationships with all Partnership member vendors and, working with Membership, establish new vendor opportunities.
Negotiate contracts on behalf of the Partnership with appropriate vendors for meetings and events.
Ensure that all events comply with relevant legal, safety, and ethical standards, including obtaining necessary permits, staffing, and adhering to event-specific regulations.
Identify potential risk and develop contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges during the planning and execution phases.
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are desirable for job success:

Energetic and passionate about Houston.
Live event, hospitality, and meeting management experience.
Ability to effectively lead a team of high-performing, diverse individuals.
Experience with event management systems (CVENT), project management systems (Basecamp) and digital meeting platforms (Zoom, Webex, Google etc.) required.
Flexible and agile project management required – with the need to prioritize projects at various stages, handle assignments and requests promptly and proactively. Follow-through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
Excellent verbal, written, analytical, presentation and interpersonal skills. Copywriting, copyediting proficiency required.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills such as diplomacy, patience, empathy, and politeness.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment with minimal supervision.
Solutions oriented and ability to problem-solve.
Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of both internal and external contacts.
Ability to coordinate, engage and fully utilize member expertise.
Ability to exercise mature judgment and tact.
Self-motivated and directed.
Preference for detail-oriented work.
Proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software programs (e.g. Salesforce).
Flexibility to work some overtime, as necessary.
Ability to travel when required.
Strong attention to details.

Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required.

Required Experience

Minimum 10 years’ experience in event planning.
Minimum 5 years management experience.

Physical Requirements

Good vision and hearing acuity (with adaptive aids if necessary).
Manual dexterity and skillful use of computer keyboard.
Physical exertion includes bending, pushing, standing, and walking. Must be able to move or lift approximately 25 pounds on occasion.

Mental and Aptitude Requirements

Job requires the ability to hear, see, and talk; analytical, conceptual, problem-solving, planning and decision-making skills.

Safety Requirements
Adhere to office safety policies.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The Greater Houston Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer.