Director, Strategic Programming and Event Operations

George W. Bush Presidential Center
Published
January 31, 2023
Location
2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX
Category
Other  
Job Type

Description

Organization

Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center is comprised of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies at home and abroad. Through policy solutions and public engagement programs, the Bush Center promotes ideas and conversations that reinforce the promise of America.

Essential Responsibilities

The Director of Strategic Programming and Event Operations provides leadership, strategic initiative, and management of all events and event staff for the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The director will collaborate with and manage the outsourcing relationship with Brigade Events and serve as a main liaison between the Bush Center and Brigade Events. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Event Strategy, Design and Implementation

  • Develop strategy and detailed execution plans for Bush Center events.
  • Generate creative concepts for events that contribute to organizational objectives.
  • Work with stakeholders—internal subject matter experts and outside partners—to shape the effectiveness of events, reach consensus on plans, and gain the support to move forward.
  • Lead all event-related processes, including:
    • Action steps for event development and execution;
    • Key milestones;
    • Resource requirements (including staff, technology, etc.);
    • Budgets;
    • Risk management; and
    • Critical success factors.
  • Develop operational plans and budgets that ensure a well-executed line of work.

Event Oversight and Measurement

  • Manage all events and supervise event execution, including:
  • Oversee the generation of invitation lists, producing invitations, tracking responses.
  • Oversee arrangements with venues, A/V providers, caterers, and other vendors.
  • Manage logistics on-site, including event production, staffing and quality control.
  • Integrate event information with organization’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform (Raiser’s Edge).
  • Monitor event financials, including projected revenue and expenses.
  • Work with the Communications team to articulate key messages for specific target audiences.  Ensure that all event collateral, program content, visuals, and web efforts are accurate, on-message and on-brand.
  • Work with the Communications team to develop a proactive, innovative plan that appropriately leverages media assets.
  • Continuously monitor event progress, and compare to defined objectives and measures.  Regularly report on event progress, outcome measures, and operational and financial progress to broad set of stakeholder groups.
  • Lead efforts to resolve problems, influence action, inspire teamwork, remove barriers, create innovations, re-design processes, and re-think approaches in order to achieve program goals and strategic objectives.
  • Continuously improve and innovate on processes and procedures.

Vendor Management

  • Manage relationship with external events team, Brigade Events, including:
    • Remain internal point of contact for Brigade Events.
    • Oversee all contracts created by Brigade Events.
  • Manage events and facility utilization by scheduling, coordinating, and supporting the prioritization of events sponsored by the Bush Center and external organizations.
  • Manage scheduling, logistics, and use of all public and private spaces within the Bush Center.
  • Serve as liaison for Culinaire and the George W. Bush Foundation.

Personnel/Reporting/Systems

  • Manage the event team and all personnel-related issues, including hiring, performance management, staff training and development, accountability to goals, etc.
  • Produce and provide regular, detailed accountability reports on activities and results, including budget projections and event timelines.
  • Oversee the collaboration with Database Operations to manage guest lists, registration pages, and registration during events, in order to maximize functionality, accuracy, and security.
  • Manage the electronic send process and schedules alongside the Communications team for event communications.
  • Complete duties and special projects as needed/assigned.

Strategic Programming

  • Responsible for planning and managing the Bush Center annual event calendar by forecasting the events and priorities to develop the yearly calendar.
  • Work with internal stakeholders to plan and evaluate key priorities to assist with the creation of the event calendar.
  • Manage the approval process for internal Bush Center events and requests.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The qualified candidate will possess (a/an):

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum ten years large-scale event planning (non-profit, campaign, and/or government experience preferred) and vendor management.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
  • Experience with Constituent or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Seating database systems; experience with Raiser's Edge and Social Tables preferred.
  • Commitment to the vision and mission of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Additionally, the qualified candidate will:

  • Possess superb organizational, communication and collaborative skills to work effectively in a dynamic organizational environment across all departments.
  • Experience that demonstrates strong leadership and supervisory capabilities.
  • Be able to maintain regular, dependable attendance in the building.
  • Exemplify the ability to organize, rally, and build confidence within the team and with peers.
  • Demonstrate strong attention to detail.
  • Be able to travel periodically.
  • Be willing to work irregular and sometimes long hours as well as some weekends.
  • Be able to withstand long periods of standing and/or walking; be able to lift up to 30 lbs.

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit stationary at a desk and use computer equipment.

Position:              Director, Strategic Programming and Event Operations

FLSA Status:       Exempt

Reports to:          Vice President, Finance and Operations

Department:       Operations

Division:              Event Operations

Application Instructions

To apply, click here!

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