Director of Events

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 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

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to SCMC at [email protected]