Work at a Glance: Events expert with strategic vision and meticulous execution.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Event Strategy and Design at NeighborWorks® America is a pivotal leadership role within the Training Division, responsible for the comprehensive management of all facets of meeting planning. Reporting to the Senior Director, Event Strategy and Design, this role oversees the strategic execution of diverse training events, ranging from intimate gatherings of 25 participants to large-scale conferences accommodating over 2,500 attendees. The incumbent will demonstrate adept leadership, applying advanced event strategies to ensure seamless execution and exceptional attendee experiences.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary leadership in the planning, execution, and evaluation of Training Division events. Develop and implement event strategies tailored to the varying needs of events, including, but not limited to NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI), Community Leadership Institute (CLI), NeighborWorks Executive Symposium (NES), and Group Learning (GL), across virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats.
• Project Management: Drive end-to-end project management, from initial conception through post-event evaluation. Ensure projects are timely, within budget, and of the highest quality standard.
• Event Design and Strategy: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to design and execute engaging and impactful event programs. Develop strategies to enhance attendee engagement and knowledge retention.
• Sales and Procurement: Utilize sales acumen to drive event participation and revenue generation. Lead procurement efforts, leveraging legal expertise to negotiate contracts with venues, vendors, and service providers.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure events adhere to regulatory requirements and organizational policies. Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks and crises, implementing contingency plans as necessary.
• Financial Oversight: Exercise fiscal responsibility in managing event budgets and expenditures. Conduct a thorough financial analysis to optimize resource allocation and maximize Return on Investment and Return on Experience.
• Customer Experience Enhancement: Champion initiatives to enhance the overall attendee experience, from registration through post-event follow-up. Solicit feedback and implement improvements to continuously elevate customer satisfaction.
• Relationship and Vendor Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with external vendors, partners, and stakeholders. Collaborate internally to foster cross-functional partnerships and drive shared goals.
• Critical Thinking and Innovation: Provide critical thinking to incorporate emerging trends and technologies into future business processes that support the enhancement of the event's customer experience. Continuously evaluate industry trends and technological advancements to drive innovation and adaptability in event planning and execution.
• Analytical Assessment: Utilize event management systems to gather and analyze data, extract actionable insights to inform decision-making, and improve future events.
• Strategic Evaluation of Event Proposals and Comprehensive Site Selection Recommendations: Lead a thorough assessment of event proposals, leveraging strategic thinking to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and audience needs. Will provide informed recommendations on site selection and a range of meeting-related services, including accommodations, transportation, and technology infrastructure, by conducting a comprehensive evaluation, considering factors such as venue suitability, logistical capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and potential for attendee engagement. Will optimize the event experience, foster meaningful connections and maximize the impact of each gathering, drawing on expertise in event management and industry trends strategic approach.
• Collaborative Partnership with Marketing for Timely Deliverables and Event Material Development: Establish a collaborative partnership with Communications and Marketing (C&M) to synchronize timelines and deliverables, ensuring seamless coordination throughout the event planning process. Work closely with C&M to align project milestones, deadlines, and key deliverables, facilitating efficient communication and workflow management. Participate in the development of event materials, leveraging their expertise in event strategy and audience engagement to contribute valuable insights and recommendations.
• Comprehensive Documentation and Logistics Management: Responsible for preparing comprehensive documentation for venue/vendors, covering credit arrangements, deposits, tax exemptions, meeting room setups, menu selections, transportation, audiovisual requirements, and internet needs. Undertake the development of logistics for Training events and special activities led by other divisions. Oversee contracted hotel room blocks and conduct orientation sessions for hotel staff, ensuring seamless handling of housing and billing procedures.
• Management of Historical Records and Document Retention Compliance: Maintaining historical records and files per established document retention policies, ensuring compliance and accessibility for future reference and auditing purposes. Employ organization and storage methods to safeguard the integrity and longevity of these essential documents.
• Dynamic Execution of Research, Writing, and Creative Projects: Undertake various research, writing, and creative projects as directed by organizational leadership. This may include conducting market research, drafting reports, creating content for presentations, and contributing to strategic initiatives across the organization.

Nature of Work Contacts: NeighborWorks® staff, venues, and vendors.

Fiscal Responsibilities: Examines financial data trends to improve fiscal oversight. Review bid proposals, select hotel venues and vendors, and negotiate contract terms for events requiring hotel meeting space and lodging. Receive, review, and reconcile payment of invoices. Facilitate, coordinate, and maintain the flow of information between external Divisions, Event Strategy and Design, and Training management as it relates to hotel and vendor contracting.

Required Minimum Qualifications:
(a) Education: Bachelor's degree (preferred) or an equivalent combination of training and experience in procurement services or understanding of training delivery services.

(b) Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in meeting planning in a non-profit environment or similar, with proven, measurable success in directing the logistical management of meetings with 2,000+ attendees, concurrent functions, numerous meal functions, networking events, and other events for executive-level individuals or groups.

(c) Licenses, Certifications: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred.

(d) Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Attention to detail and excellent proofreading skills.
• Analytical skills and the ability to think strategically.
• Must be adept at assessing current and potential event-related risk, identifying current risks, and proposing potential solutions and/or contingency measures.
• Demonstrated organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
• Strong interpersonal/customer service skills for communication with internal staff and training participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise initiative and leadership in motivating others.
• Ability to make sound decisions while supporting the NW mission and leadership vision.
• Entrepreneurial creativity - the ability to adjust to and create new projects and work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive).
• Strong work ethic with an enthusiastic, positive attitude, and the highest level of integrity.
• Ability to travel approximately 5 to 9 trips per year, for 5 to 12 days.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities in a fast-paced environment and meet critical deadlines, working independently and as a team.
• Maintain regular and timely attendance.

(e) NeighborWorks America Staff are expected to demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Sensitivity to racial, gender, sexual orientation and cultural differences
• Effective, respectful, and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders
• Listening effectively, seeks and accepts feedback
• Analytic, thoughtful and strategic thinking
• Considering the mission, objectives, and goals of NeighborWorks and demonstrating an understanding of the impact of her/his/their decisions and behavior on the organization

(f) Technology: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, data entry, data collection tools (ex. Airtables), and the ability to learn new systems quickly.

Working Conditions:
(a) Travel: Up to 30%
(b) Physical/Sensory Demands:

• Long hours are occasionally required, especially right before and during out-of-office training events and for other priority activities
• Fast-paced working environment, extensive computer usage.
• Ability to lift 25-30 pounds.

Salary Range: $98,500 - $110,000

The salary offered for the role will be based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, internal equity, and the candidate's qualifications/professional experience.

Special Provisions: N/A

Requisition Close Date: October 2, 2026, 5 p.m. ET

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited as candidates seeking employment with NeighborWorks America engage in our interview process. Prohibited uses of AI include but are not limited to, drafting and submitting misleading resumes, using or referencing AI-produced answers during any portion of our interview process, or using an AI notetaking tool. Candidates are welcome to take notes, but using AI is not permitted. Prohibited use of AI during the interview process will result in immediate disqualification.