Director of Events

Arlington, VA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $130,000.00 - $150,000.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work schedule

Paid holidays

Job Description

The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) is the leading trade association representing the specialty chemical industry in the United States. SOCMA plays a vital role in promoting the interests of its members, who are engaged in producing specialty and fine chemicals, through advocacy, education, and fostering valuable networking opportunities. As an influential organization within the chemical sector, SOCMA supports its member companies by providing comprehensive resources and platforms to advance industry standards and grow business connections. Through its multifaceted approach, SOCMA continues to enhance the specialty chemical industry’s success and recognition both nationally and globally.

SOCMA's events portfol... Show More

Job Requirements

bachelor's degree required
8-10+ years of experience in event planning or conference management
experience leading large-scale events or trade shows
experience managing event budgets and sponsorship engagements
ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders
strong organizational and communication skills
ability to work independently and collaboratively
knowledge of event technology and data tracking is a plus

Job Qualifications

bachelor's degree required
8-10+ years of experience in event planning, meetings, or conference management
experience leading the planning and execution of large-scale events or trade shows, including multi-day programs and exhibitor components
experience managing event budgets and working with revenue targets, including sponsorships and exhibitor engagement
demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, timelines, and priorities
experience developing and advancing event strategy and portfolio growth
experience working within a trade association, nonprofit, or member-driven organization preferred
CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or similar industry credential preferred
strong understanding of event planning and execution, including large-scale meetings, conferences, and trade shows
ability to manage complex projects with multiple timelines, stakeholders, and competing priorities
strong organizational skills and attention to detail
ability to think strategically about event performance while managing day-to-day execution
strong communication skills, both written and verbal
ability to work effectively across teams
ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive accountability without direct authority
ability to build and maintain relationships with vendors, partners, exhibitors, and sponsors
sound judgment and problem-solving skills
ability to work independently and collaboratively

Job Duties

develop and evolve SOCMA's events portfolio to support organizational priorities
identify and drive opportunities to grow attendance, sponsorship, and overall event value
evaluate event performance and implement improvements
align events with member needs and overall organizational strategy
evaluate and select event locations, including site visits
lead planning and execution of SOCMA events, including the annual meeting and trade show
oversee timelines, logistics, vendor coordination, and on-site operations
ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across all events
shape event programming, speaker strategy, and overall attendee experience
partner with leadership on sponsorship strategy and packaging, and drive execution
lead exhibitor engagement and retention efforts
work closely with marketing and membership teams to drive attendance
track and report on event performance metrics
manage event budgets, including tracking revenue, expenses, and overall performance
coordinate closely with membership, marketing, communications, and industry program teams to ensure successful execution of events
ensure alignment between event programming, member engagement, and organizational messaging
work across teams to support planning and execution of major events and related initiatives, including workshops and regional meetings
support event planning and execution for affiliated organizations as needed
identify and implement improvements to event workflows and processes
develop tools and systems to support efficient execution
drive improvements in event technology and data tracking
manage relationships with venues, vendors, and contractors
oversee contract coordination and ensure vendor deliverables are met
lead negotiation of contracts with venues, vendors, and event partners
monitor costs and ensure effective use of event resources

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)

Job Location

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