Director of Events

The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) is hiring a Director of Events reporting to the CEO & President. The Director of Events serves as a strategic co-lead within the WSIA Events Team and is responsible for the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of WSIA’s largest networking events. This role provides direct leadership to the Event Housing Manager and partners closely with its Co-Director of Events to oversee event logistics, housing operations, vendor relationships, venue management, and attendee experience initiatives. The Director plays a critical role in delivering exceptional member experiences while supporting the long-term growth and success of WSIA events.

We invite you to join WSIA and contribute to our mission to represent the interest of our members and the valuable role they play in the insurance market. If you are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply and become a part of WSIA.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Event Planning and Execution

Support the event planning and execution of the Underwriting Summit, Summer Board Meeting and Annual Marketplace:

Underwriting Summit and Annual Marketplace

Oversee Housing Manager with support and leadership in management of room blocks, suites and subblocks, including all VIP housing.Collaborate with the Co-Director of Events on organizing site visits, schedules and agendas with hotels and vendors, planning transportation, meeting spaces, vendor management, catering menus and resumes.Partner with the Co-Director of Events to co-lead and manage all WSIA team members, contracted vendors, hotel planning staff, and temporary staff to ensure their successful execution of their delegated responsibilities onsite.Assist with all pre-event preparation, including packing list, team duties, resume development, negotiating catering orders, etc.Contract, coordinate, and plan with relevant WSIA team members and vendors providing décor, entertainment, shuttle transportation, temporary staff, etc.Contract, coordinate, and plan with relevant WSIA team members and vendors providing armed security, badge checking, giveaways, signage, etc.Solicit feedback and support ongoing improvements to enhance the attendee experience and strengthen member engagement.

Summer Board of Directors’ Meeting

Assist with researching potential venues and negotiating/executing required event contracts.Plan and attend a site visit, if needed.Coordinate the schedule, registration, housing, food and beverage needs, activities, transportation, meeting needs, artwork, gifts and other necessary duties to ensure a successful strategic planning event for the WSIA Board.

Team Leadership and Development

The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, focusing on teamwork, excellence and delivering exceptional member experiences.

Lead and mentor the Event Housing Manager, who manages rooms blocks of the following networking events: Underwriting Summit, Committee Day, Annual Marketplace, EduTech Connect, U40 Connect and certain education programs.Set clear expectations, provide guidance, and support training and professional development to elevate the team.Provide leadership and management to the Event Housing Manager to support their professional growth by developing their skills, expanding their responsibilities and providing guidance to enhance their skills in housing management, reporting, forecasting, contracting and inventory management of room blocks and related financial liability/risk assessment.Partner with the Co-Director of Events to co-lead the WSIA team members at the Underwriting Summit and Annual Marketplace.

Budget and Contract Oversight

Assist in contract review process, including the research, review, negotiation and execution of event contracts that (1) include favorable terms for the Association; and (2) ensure event needs and goals are met for current and future years. Review and update contracts annually and after each event to ensure meeting space, suites and blocks align with current year experience and adjusted appropriately for any future needs.Monitor contract compliance (e.g., processing of contractual deposits) and manage long-term contracts for future events with the assistance of the Event Housing Manager.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a meaningful combination of the following knowledge, experience and skills:

7–10+ years of meeting and event management experienceProven experience in project management of large-scale conferences and events, including hotel and vendor contract negotiation, hotel and vendor management, and budget management experienceExperience with professional membership association and project managementStaff leadership experienceAbility to motivate and influence teams to produce results within tight deadlinesConflict resolutionData analysis and reportingExperience with Cvent and event technology platformsProficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook Excel and PowerPoint)

Key Competencies

Strategic thinking and execution while inspiring confidence and trust.Relationship building: Develops new and nurtures existing strategic relationships.Networking: Actively networks with members and attendees at WSIA events.Optimization: Focuses on the most effective and efficient processes on an ongoing basis. Collaboration: Builds partnerships and works with others to meet shared objectives. Resourcefulness: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently. Manage Complexity: Makes sense of complex information to solve problems. Ensure Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitment. Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match shifting demands.Communicate Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Delivering superior support to WSIA staff and customer service to WSIA membership.Maintaining confidentiality of private information, protecting and maintaining the security of all confidential data, and immediately reporting any misuse of such information to the General Counsel.

Travel Requirements

This position offers a combination of an in-office, remote, and hybrid work environment as required by its duties and responsibilities. Regular overnight travel is required to support WSIA events, site visits, and member meetings, which may include:

Underwriting SummitCommittee DaySummer Board of Directors MeetingEduTech ConnectAnnual MarketplaceU40 ConnectHotel site visitsAdditional WSIA meetings and programs as neededOther events (e.g., hotel events, PCMA, MPI, and/or other professional development opportunities) as needed

Physical Demands

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to work on a computer. The employee is often required to stand and walk, including significant steps per day at WSIA networking events. The noise level in the office is usually quiet. WSIA events may be fast paced, with increased noise levels and competing priorities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

WSIA strives to promote a professional, friendly, and inclusive work environment where employees can successfully meet performance expectations and fully demonstrate our Guiding Principles. WSIA requires adherence to the Employee Handbook policies and enforces a zero-tolerance policy against harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation in the workplace. 

Company Description

WSIA is a world-class member service organization representing the entirety of the wholesale, specialty, and surplus lines industry. The Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association was formed in 2017 through the merger of the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) and the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO).

WSIA members strive to build profitable business relationships in the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines insurance industry. WSIA is dedicated to developing and strengthening the industry and provides members with unparalleled:

NetworkingEducationTalent recruitment and development initiativesRegulatory and legislative advocacyPromotion of wholesale value

WSIA’s membership consists of approximately 750-member firms, including U.S. Wholesale, U.S. Insurance Market, and Associate and Service members, representing tens of thousands of individual brokers, insurance company professionals, underwriters, and other insurance professionals worldwide conducting business in the U.S. surplus lines market.

WSIA members of all shapes and sizes gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace through active participation in the only association dedicated specifically to the wholesale, specialty and surplus lines insurance industry.

WSIA is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, caregiver status, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. All employment decisions at WSIA are based solely on the applicant’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.