Event Director CEE (E5244B)

Event Director CEE (E5244B) - 260074: MGT-C70 

Description
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**Job Summary** 

****POSITION SUMMARY****

Event Director, CEE is a senior leadership role within IEEE responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, execution, and management of a high-volume and diverse portfolio of events. This individual oversees the full lifecycle planning of assigned programs.  The Event Director leads a team of six event professionals, manages vendor and venue contract negotiations, and provides expertise in both domestic and international event planning. This role is a key contributor to CEE organizational culture, operational excellence, and champion of excellence.. The individual elevates events by seamlessly integrating professional partners from across CEE and the enterprise such as programming, multimedia, marketing, etc. and ensures that team members are informed and equipped to deliver excellence.

This role serves as both an individual contributor and a manager of a team of event planners. 

The incumbent serves as a role model for cross OU collaboration and nimble inclusion of existing and emerging services and expertise from across the team.

Sample Portfolio of Assignments

Board Meeting Series & Executive Events

* Serve as the primary event lead for the Meeting Series, held three times annually, overseeing all phases from inception through post-event evaluation
* Manage site selection, logistics, staffing, budgeting, and vendor coordination for all Board meetings
* Partner with senior leadership to ensure seamless execution aligned with governance protocols
* Lead the strategic planning and placement of future Board meetings, including multi-year site selection and program development
* Prepares and delivers holistic presentations to various audiences

Governance & Institutional Meetings

* Manage a high volume of governance meetings, including committee, council, and advisory group convenings across domestic and international locations
* Develop and maintain master event calendars and planning timelines for all governance-related meetings
* Ensure consistent standards for meeting logistics, materials, technology, and hospitality across all governance events

Human Resources, Culture & Internal Events

* Lead planning and execution of Town Hall and All-Hands meetings, ensuring effective production, A/V coordination, and logistics for both in-person and hybrid formats
* Oversee holiday and cultural celebration events that reflect the association's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
* Support planning of internal HR events, including onboarding programs, staff appreciation events, and department-wide functions

Team Leadership & Development

* As a team leader, this person sets the tone and direction for integrated services being delivered across CEE and IEEE. Ensures that  CEE peers from Audience Development, Exhibits, Multimedia, Programming, etc. are fully integrated into event projects under management. Embraces and implements standards set by other partner groups such as BMC, IT, etc.
* Directly manage a team of six event planners and coordinators, providing day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and professional development
* Contribute to the hiring, onboarding, and training of event staff; establish performance standards and conduct regular evaluations
* Foster a collaborative, high-performance CEE team culture with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement
* Escalates to management any challenges in implementing standards.

Budget & Financial Management

* Develop, manage, and reconcile event budgets across the full portfolio; provide accurate forecasting and variance reporting to senior leadership in partnership with analyst or colleagues.
* Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising event quality or attendee experience
* Oversee registration and financial reconciliation processes in partnership with Finance

Contract Negotiation & Vendor Management

* Negotiates with a variety of vendors within a framework that includes peers with subject matter expertise.  Follows departmental processes with regards to these processes as they evolve.  Typical vendors may include hotels, convention centers, venues,, caterers, DMCs, and other suppliers for domestic and international   Works closely with colleagues with SME in specific areas such as Multimedia/AV/Video and hotels, and leverages deep expertise..
* Strategically includes city, tourism and other geo-partners when selecting locations working with peers and across the enterprise to leverage relationships and expertise.
* Review and execute contracts in accordance with company and departmental policies; ensure inclusion of risk mitigation and attrition clauses, in line with our legal and expense authorization policies.
* Maintain and cultivate strong vendor and venue relationships to maximize value and service quality

Site Selection & Logistics

* Conduct site searches and inspections for assigned major events, evaluating venues based on capacity, accessibility, cost, and alignment with event objectives, strategic funding opportunities and regional objectives
* Manage RFP processes, hotel room block negotiations, and housing bureau relationships in partnership with colleagues with SME.
* Ensure compliance with ADA requirements, international travel considerations, and duty-of-care obligations
 

Qualifications
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QUALIFICATIONS

Education

* Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field required
* Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Association Executive (CAE), or other relevant professional designation strongly preferred

Experience

* 10–15 years of progressive experience in event planning and management, with at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role
* Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale, high-profile events
* Proven track record managing complex governance and executive-level meetings
* Experience with domestic and international event planning, including cultural, profressional and financial considerations.

Skills & Competencies

* Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent events across a complex annual calendar
* Strong contract negotiation skills and working knowledge of event-related legal language and risk management
* Proficiency in event management platforms (e.g., Cvent, Certain, Swoogo) and Microsoft Office Suite
* Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively with C-suite leadership, Board members, and external stakeholders
* Strong financial acumen with demonstrated budget management experience
* Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (estimated 25–35%)
* High degree of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail
* Comfortable escalating challenges to manager.
* Strong presentation skills.
* #LI-Hybrid

Other Requirements:
As defined in IEEE Policies, individuals currently serving on an IEEE board or committee are not eligible to apply. 

PLEASE NOTE: This position is not budgeted for employer-sponsored immigration support, this includes all persons in F (both CPT and OPT), J, H, L, or O status.

For information on work demands and conditions required for this position, please consult the reference document, [ADA Requirements.](https://www.ieee.org/education_careers/careers/ieee_ada_requirements.pdf) This position is classified under Category II – Mobile Positions. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 
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Disclaimer: This job description is proprietary to IEEE. It outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.

   

Job
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: Meeting & Event Management 

Primary Location
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: United States-New Jersey-Piscataway 

Organization
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: Conferences, Events & Experiences 

Schedule
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: Full-time 

Job Type
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: Regular 

Job Posting
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: Mar 19, 2026, 3:00:25 PM 

Recruiter
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: Mariann Ceres Corin