Director, Events Implementation

General Summary The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters and other forest management professionals and academics in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology, promoting professional excellence while ensuring the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity. More information about SAF is available at www.eforester.org

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is seeking a Director of Events Implementation to lead partner-oriented and events-based projects from concept to completion. The director will be responsible for managing project timelines and deliverables and coordinating back-end logistics for various virtual and in-person events. This position will work with external partners and internal staff across the organization to coordinate event logistics. They will build organizational relationships with already-established partners and with various visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, and hotels throughout the country to provide efficient and effective meetings support for SAF and its stakeholders. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, customer service-oriented, and collaborative.

The Events Implementation Director will report to the Senior Director of Events and Sales. This is a remote or hybrid (Washington, DC), partially grant-funded position.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Coordinates the logistics for multiple 50-person training meetings hosted on behalf of the sale administration division of the USDA Forest Service, including proposal requests for venue and room blocks, contract negotiations, and banquet event order (BEO) detailing for the specific events.
• Maintains a project timeline for coordinating with the sale administration division of the USDA Forest Service and ensuring all deliverables are finished in a timely and accurate manner.

Serves as the liaison to the Committee on National Convention Programs, and helps the committee chair coordinate committee meetings, set the annual convention theme, plan the general sessions, shape the convention agenda, and manage communications with general session speakers.

• Coordinates various pre-event logistics for SAF’s annual convention, including but not limited to managing hotel blocks, procuring tour bus rentals, coordinating A/V needs for events, coordinating food and beverage needs for events, and securing space for offsite events.

Works with volunteers to coordinate and manage 8-10 field trips, including verifying the route, reserving transportation, and ordering lunches for the attendees. Attends up to 15 events each year in person, to assist onsite or serve as the lead onsite point of contact. Meets regularly with internal and external project and partner leads to ensure that project needs are being met and deliverables are on time.

• Trains internal staff as needed to serve as onsite leads for various events.
• Creates and updates all onsite printed materials for events, including printed agendas, nametags for attendees, and attendee sign-in sheets.
• Creates proposals and negotiates contracts for potential sites/hotels and logistics for association events.
• Assists team in maintaining event standard operating procedure documents as related to their projects.
• Coordinates events logistics as they relate to the US Capitol Christmas Tree Initiative, including coordinating and planning two DC-based receptions for up to 300 attendees.

Works with external partners while maintaining a strong sense of SAF’s organizational culture. Meets with vendors and key venue personnel in the months leading up to convention to coordinate planning efforts as needed

Other:

• Performs other duties as assigned by CEO and direct supervisor.

Job Specifications:

Personable and adaptable with a desire to contribute to the success of our organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent customer service ethic and ability to cultivate, grow, and maintain positive relationships. Adept at developing and maintaining collaborative internal and external relationships; respects differing perspectives.

Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Must be a self-starter, able to follow instructions and make decisions independently, as well as work effectively in a team. Detail-oriented, proactive, self-starter, with a positive, hands-on attitude and a desire to grow and develop in the position, on the team, and within the association.

Exceptional time management skills and ability to multi-task and handle multiple deadlines at once. Takes full ownership of projects from start to finish, ensuring consistent follow-through. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member. As a remote or hybrid position, all candidates must have the ability to work from home comfortably with full access to internet and ability to be on video phone calls with staff and partners.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, hospitality, sales, or other associated degree, or equivalent related experience in the association and meeting management environment. At least 5 years of experience leading meeting planning and support within a fast-paced, professional environment. Ability to travel 20-35% of the time.

Preferred Education/Skills:

Association and volunteer management experience is a plus. Knowledge and passion for forests and natural resources is a plus. Sales experience is a plus.

Other Duties:

Please note this position description does not cover, contain, or list a fully comprehensive listing of duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Annual Salary:

$75,000-85,000:

Reasonable Accommodation SAF will provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the operation of the business. Telecommuting on an ad hoc basis is available following 90 days of successful employment.

EEO Statement SAF provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identification or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SAF complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SAF expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SAF’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.