Director, Meetings and Events

About NASPA

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. We serve the diverse needs of our community, from vice presidents of student affairs to undergraduate student leaders considering a career in the field. Founded in 1919, NASPA includes more than 15,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries, and 8 U.S. Territories. Guided by the principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry, we are dedicated to empowering our members to realize their full potential and to cultivating student success in collaboration with our institutional members, who represent every sector of higher education. NASPA's work is governed by our Code of Ethics. Read more here.

About the Event Strategy & Engagement Team

The Event Strategy and Engagement team leads the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of NASPA’s full portfolio of conferences and events. From the Annual Conference to regional gatherings and specialized institutes, the team delivers high-quality, professionally managed experiences that connect and advance the student affairs field. Located within the broader Operations Team, the team operates with strong operational discipline, an attendee experience design mindset, and a commitment to translating NASPA’s programmatic vision into place-based and virtual events that members value and return year after year.

About the Position

NASPA seeks an experienced meeting professional to serve as Director, Meetings and Events. The Director leads the planning and execution of an assigned portfolio of NASPA's place-based conferences and events, while holding operational accountability for the association's regional event programming across 7-15 events annually. The Director reports to the Assistant Vice President for Event Strategy and Engagement and serves as the operational event lead on all assigned conferences, partnering closely with a Content Lead on each event to ensure programmatic and logistical coherence. The Director also works closely with other operational teams such as the Marketing and Communications, Business Systems, and Accounting Teams.

Essential Responsibilities

Place-Based Event Portfolio

• Serve as the event lead for all assigned conferences, partnering with the Content Lead to deliver cohesive, high-quality member experiences.
• Manage all event logistics including site selection, room block management, food and beverage, audio visual, registration, housing, transportation, and on-site execution.
• Develop and manage event budgets including reconciliation, post-event financial reporting, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead sourcing, contract negotiation, and vendor relationship management for all assigned events.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team on event communications, website content, and promotional materials.
• Track attendance trends, budget variance, net revenue, and post-event survey data to inform continuous improvement.
• Support regional event programming across seven geographic areas and globally, ensuring quality and alignment with association standards.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, mentor, and support the professional development of Meetings and Events Managers.
• Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular check-ins, and lead annual reviews for all direct reports.
• Build team capacity through knowledge transfer, systems documentation, and cross-training.

Event Technology and Systems

• Serve as event lead across the association's event technology platforms including Accelevents, OpenWater, Asana, Intacct, Divvy, and Qualtrics, supported by the Business Systems Team.
• Ensure consistent and accurate platform use across all assigned events and the broader events team.

Association-wide Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong vendor and industry network and stay current on meetings industry trends.
• Provide excellent customer care to members, volunteer leaders, exhibitors, and sponsors.
• Participate in professional development through EIC, IAEE, PCMA, MPI, or similar organizations.
• Assist with all-team projects and participate actively in staff meetings and projects.
• Other activities, duties, and responsibilities as assigned to support the association.

Reports To

Assistant Vice President, Event Strategy and Engagement

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in conference and event management, preferably within a nonprofit association, professional society, or hospitality setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple conferences and events simultaneously across varying scales and formats.
• Experience with hotel and venue sourcing, contract negotiation, room block management, and third-party vendor oversight.
• Experience developing and managing event budgets including reconciliation, post-event financial reporting, and cost-savings analysis.
• Proficiency with event and organizational technology platforms including event management systems, abstract management tools, financial databases, and assessment tools.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with a commitment to staff development, team culture, and inclusive leadership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to build relationships with staff, volunteer leaders, vendors, and members.
• Ability to travel frequently, including overnight travel to event sites.
• Experience incorporating the impacts on and perspectives of multiple communities in the decision-making process.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating an inclusive work environment that values the perspectives and experiences of a diverse workforce and membership.

Employment Status:

Full-time, Exempt. Exempt employees are exempt from overtime compensation requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and are required to work as the job demands on a no time limit basis.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. NASPA does not initiate, extend, or provide immigration or work visa sponsorship for employment.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $80,000-$90,000 annually.

NASPA offers nationwide comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with automatic employer contribution, flexible work schedule, and paid time-off including accrued PTO, family leave, community service leave, and holidays.

Office Location/Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Office Location

This position must be located within commuting distance of the Washington, D.C. metro area. While the role will primarily be remote, the individual will be expected to work onsite at the NASPA Washington, D.C. office a few days each month. The frequency of in-office days is based on event volume and may increase during peak periods.

It is the employee’s responsibility to provide reliable internet capabilities for any work location outside of the Washington, D.C. office.

Travel

Frequent overnight travel to represent NASPA at events, on college and university campuses, and in-person meetings is an essential function of this position. Locations vary and can include sites outside of taxi service from major airports. As a result, this position requires the ability to travel independently, including air travel, navigating ground transportation, and occasionally driving a rental car.

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily office-based with primary work on a computer, including phone, email, and video conferencing.

Responsibilities regularly may require an adjusted work schedule, overtime, and evening/weekend hours in order to meet deadlines and support events and programs.

This position will be required to routinely pack and unpack program materials for shipment, which will require pulling, pushing, lifting, and moving boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.

This position will be required to coordinate on-site event execution, which may include moving furniture and other items, navigating event spaces, and communicating verbally with venue staff.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination Statement

NASPA provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. NASPA does not discriminate on the basis of race; color, national origin; religion; sex; age; gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status; personal appearance; family responsibilities; genetic information; educational status; political affiliation; unemployment status; place of residence or business; source of income; caste; matriculation; credit information; status as a survivor or family member of a survivor of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking; reproductive health decision making; or any other basis protected by law in any of its policies, employment practices, or in any context in the workplace. When necessary, NASPA also makes reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following for consideration:

• Letter of Interest/Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three References

A complete set of materials should be submitted through this Asana form. Materials received by April 17 will receive priority consideration, but review will continue until April 24.

NASPA offers nationwide comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with automatic employer contribution, flexible work schedule, and paid time-off including accrued PTO, family leave, community service leave, and holidays.