Director of Events & Program Management

With a career at HMSHost, you really benefit! We OfferHealth, dental and vision insuranceGenerous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick)*401(k) retirement plan with company match*Company paid life insurance*Tuition reimbursementEmployee assistance programTraining and exciting career growth opportunitiesReferral program - refer a friend and earn a bonus*Benefits may vary by position so ask your recruiter for details.Purpose:The Director of Events & Program Management leads strategy, planning, and execution of all North America trade conferences, industry events, and corporate event participation. This role works closely with Marketing & Communications, Business Development, and operational leaders to elevate Avolta's visibility and partnerships across the travel F&B and retail landscape.Essential Functions:Develops and executes North America conference strategy, including trade shows, sponsorships, and industry events; manages all phases from concept to post-event analysisPartners with Business Development to align conference participation with commercial objectives, growth targets, and partnership goalsEstablishes and maintains brand standards and messaging across all event touchpoints, including booth design, presentations, collateral, and digital presence to position Avolta as a leader in travel F&B and retailIdentifies high value speaking roles, sponsorship opportunities, activations, and thought leadership platforms; secures participation and prepares leaders for maximum impactOwns conference budget planning, forecasting, and management; tracks expenses against budget, reconciles post-event costs, and identifies savings opportunities while maintaining quality standardsManages relationships with vendors, agencies, and third-party partners including exhibit fabricators, production partners, logistics vendors, and conference organizers; negotiates contracts and oversees deliveryDirects end-to-end event logistics including booth design, material production, shipping, staffing assignments, meeting agendas, and on-site executionDevelops post-event analysis framework to measure performance, ROI, lead generation, partnership outcomes, and brand impact; provides recommendations for continuous improvementPrepares executive briefing materials, talking points, meeting agendas, and internal communications to support leadership participation and cross-functional coordinationMaintains centralized event and conference calendar with detailed tracking of commitments, deadlines, costs, and key contacts; provides cross-functional visibility and alignment across all business units and functional areasCoordinates signature company initiatives including Hall of Fame recognition events, North America holiday celebrations and team-building events, and annual Avolta Day activitiesReporting Relationship: The Director of Events & Program Management reports to the Vice President of Marketing & CommunicationsMinimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years:In a technical role: Requires 8 years of experience engaged in event, conference, or experiential marketing experience, preferably in a matrixed or multi-location organization A bachelor's degree in a program related to the functional area can count for 3 of the eight-year requirementAn MBA or a master's level degree in a program related to the functional area can count for an additional 2 years of the eight-year requirementIn the industry: 3-5 years of Hospitality, F&B and/or Retail experienceSpecialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits:Proven experience leading large-scale conferences, trade events, or experiential activations from concept to executionExceptional project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple complex events simultaneouslyExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level contentStrong financial and vendor management experience, including budgeting and negotiationProficient in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with project management software preferredBusiness acumen and also has the mindset required to understand the long-term implications of event and conference planning and to advance the organization's goalsDemonstrated history of understanding the needs of the business, stakeholders, the employee population and individual circumstancesDemonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environmentsLocation/Travel:This role is based at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MDThis role requires travel up to 40%, including extended days surrounding major conferencesAvolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates ("the Company"), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as "protected characteristics").