Job Summary
The Senior Director, Global Meetings & Events leads ACC portfolio of approximately 8-10 domestic and international meetings, conferences, executive summits, exhibitions, and events annually, including ACC's flagship Annual Meeting. Reporting to the Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO), this position develops and executes an enterprise-wide meetings and events strategy, with integrated roadmaps, calendars, milestones, and timelines. The role advances organizational priorities, financial performance, stakeholder experience, and operational excellence.
The Senior Director leads an internal team of four meetings and events professionals and manages the day-to-day performance of ACC's outsourced sponsorship and exhibition sales and management partner, CM Event Solutions. Responsibilities encompass direct end-to-end planning and execution of events to include venue sourcing, housing, registration, audiovisual production, food and beverage, transportation, general service contractors, and event technology. In collaboration with Business Development leadership, sets event-level sales goals, and oversees exhibitor servicing and sponsorship fulfillment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Leadership & Event Portfolio Management
- Develop and execute an enterprise-wide meetings and events strategy, strategic roadmap, annual event calendar, milestones, and implementation timelines aligned with ACC's mission, revenue objectives, and long-term priorities.
- Lead long-range portfolio planning, venue and destination strategies, resource allocation, and evaluation of event performance and financial sustainability.
- Establish integrated workplans, decision points, deliverables, and accountability across internal departments and external partners.
- Identify growth opportunities, monitor industry trends and event technologies, and establish portfolio-wide operating standards and performance measures.
- Sponsorship & Exhibition Sales and Management Oversight
- Serve as the primary day-to-day manager of CM Event Solutions, ACC's outsourced sponsorship and exhibition sales and management partner, with responsibility for performance, service standards, and contractual deliverables.
- In collaboration with Business Development leadership, set event-level sales goals, performance expectations, reporting cadence, and accountability measures.
- Oversee sales pipeline reporting, forecasting, renewals, inventory utilization, exhibitor servicing, and sponsorship fulfillment; escalate material risks and variances promptly.
- Partner with the CBDO and Director of Global Partnerships on pricing and packaging recommendations, strategic accounts, and multi-event opportunities; ensure alignment with enterprise commercial strategy.
- Coordinate sales commitments with operational capacity, contracting, invoicing, fulfillment, and onsite execution; assess partner effectiveness and sponsor/exhibitor satisfaction.
- Meetings, Conferences & Event Operations
- Direct end-to-end planning and execution of conferences, executive summits, exhibitions, and special events.
- Oversee venue sourcing, housing, registration, audiovisual production, food and beverage, transportation, general service contractors, and event technology.
- Maintain event production schedules, staffing plans, readiness reviews, quality controls, contingency plans, and onsite issue-resolution protocols.
- Ensure contractual compliance, accessibility, safety, and consistent service standards.
- Financial Management, Procurement & Vendor Relations
- Develop and oversee multimillion-dollar event budgets, forecasts, expense controls, reconciliation, and financial reporting in partnership with Finance.
- Improve event financial performance through disciplined procurement, cost optimization, and revenue-supporting operational decisions.
- Lead RFPs, venue and vendor evaluations, and negotiations in coordination with Legal and Finance; manage supplier relationships and contract performance.
- Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, improved commercial terms, and risk reduction.
- Team Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness
- Lead, coach, and develop the Meetings & Events team, setting clear responsibilities, performance expectations, staffing plans, and development goals.
- Provide structured performance oversight of outsourced sales and exhibition management services while maintaining clear internal decision rights.
- Develop SOPs, templates, documentation, and repeatable workflows; assess capacity and organizational needs as the portfolio evolves.
- Promote accountability, collaboration, innovation, and a service-oriented culture.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with Business Development on event-level commercial objectives and sponsor/exhibitor fulfillment; coordinate with Programs on content, speakers, and program requirements.
- Partner with Marketing on registration and communications, and with Finance, Legal, IT, and other teams on coordinated execution.
- Provide responsive service to executive leadership, board members, attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and other stakeholders.
- Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor event revenue and expense performance, sales results, attendee and sponsor satisfaction, vendor performance, and planning milestones.
- Lead post-event reviews, identify actionable improvements, and implement scalable processes and technology solutions.
- Provide regular portfolio updates, risk assessments, forecasts, and recommendations to the CBDO.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business administration, event management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Current Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation required.
- Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) or comparable advanced credential (preferred).
WORK EXPERIENCE
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in meetings, conventions, exhibitions, or event management, including five years in a leadership capacity.
- Experience in professional associations, membership organizations, or nonprofits is preferred.
COMPETENCIES (KSAs)
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, large-scale events and managing multimillion-dollar budgets and financial forecasts.
- Experience overseeing sponsorship and exhibition sales performance, including outsourced sales or event management partners.
- Expertise in venue contracting, convention operations, audiovisual production, general service contractors, procurement, vendor negotiations, and risk management.
- Strong people leadership, commercial and financial acumen, strategic planning, communication, and cross-functional management skills.
- Proficiency with event management and registration platforms and project management systems.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Three direct reports: Sr. Manager of Conferences & Events and Manager of Conferences & Events (2 positions).
LANGUAGES
ACC seeks to hire multilingual candidates. Fluency in English is required, and a second language is preferred.
TRAVEL
Ability to travel domestically and internationally for event planning and execution, including evenings and weekends is required.
SALARY RANGE
$146,000 to $172,000 - When determining a salary offer, consideration is given to candidates that possess minimum requirements and preferred qualifications.
WHAT ACC PROVIDES YOU
The flexibility of a hybrid schedule (only two days in the office on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) and remaining days you can work from home. Staff working in the Washington DC office must reside in the DMV area.
Competitive base salary and benefits including:
23 PTO days, 11 holidays, and a paid one-week end of year break
401k match, annual bonus, and an additional annual employer retirement contribution
Subsidized healthcare plans, you can choose from an HMO, PPO, or HSA plan
Office conveniently located in downtown Washington, DC with onsite fitness center and easy access to the Metro Center station.
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is a global bar association that promotes the professional and business interests of in-house counsel who work for corporations, associations, and other organizations. We support our members by delivering a mix of relevant, timely services including information, education, networking, and advocacy.
We work diligently to anticipate and understand the needs of the in-house bar, help members deliver services to their corporate clients efficiently, promote the value of in-house services, and influence the practice of law as it affects the in-house bar.
With more than 48,000 members employed by over 10,000 organizations in 100 countries, ACC connects its members to each other and to the people and resources necessary for their personal and professional growth.
ACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer