Vice President, Meetings and Events (Project Management)

WHY JOIN AGU

Our employees are our most valuable assets! You will feel welcomed and supported from the moment you join our team, and you will take part in strengthening and evolving our workplace culture.
We offer work-life balance and innovative benefits.

• Work-life balance: remote-first organization, flexible work hours, unlimited PTO, Summer Fridays off, paid holidays, military leave.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, wellness, tuition reimbursement, 403(b) plan, FSA, HSA, theft protection, physical wellness and fitness, pet care, personal and professional development, office related expenses, Work Pal, Parental leave and much more.

WHO WE ARE

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) supports a global community of more than half a million professionals and advocates in the Earth and space sciences.
Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerates knowledge and creates solutions that are ethical, unbiased, and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events, and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net-zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C., and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.

This is an exciting time to work at AGU. Every day we approach our work with a sense of purpose, and we look for others who share that passion and desire for a career with impact.

WHO YOU ARE

As the VP, Meetings and Events, you play a key role in assisting AGU to promote Earth and space sciences through convenings of the scientific community. In collaboration with AGU volunteer leadership and the senior management team, the VP, Meetings and Events leads the strategic direction and overall management of AGU's Meetings and Events portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

•        Develop strategy for AGU's Meetings and Events program to advance AGU's strategic plan, leading in the scientific society meeting space, and serving and expanding the Earth and space sciences community.

• Create, execute, and regularly reassess the Meetings strategy in coordination with the Meetings department staff, other AGU departments, and AGU leadership.
• Responsible for driving revenue and margin growth across the portfolio of AGU Meetings, including oversight for optimization of AGU meetings exhibits and sponsorship sales to meet annual targets.
• Continually architect, evolve, and adapt meetings to address the changing needs of the Earth and space sciences community and partner societies.
• Identify and implement mechanisms to further the environmental sustainability of the AGU Meetings portfolio.
• Oversee department and portfolio strategy by being a big-picture strategist and department head.
• Direct professional development for the Meetings and Events team, ensuring skill sets are current and people are positioned to meet organizational needs, including creating opportunities through attending events and receiving relevant certifications.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with other AGU departments and volunteer leadership in support of the AGU mission and cross-organizational initiatives.
• Support other AGU departments in realizing their strategies through relevant expertise and capabilities of the Meetings team, including collaboration to optimize personalized experiences for meeting attendees.
• Provide oversight and optimize relationships with key strategic vendor partners.
• Develop an environment of trust, shared objectives, and transparency across key vendor partners, the Meetings department staff, leadership, and other staff partners.
• Serve as a member of the senior staff; regularly meet and communicate with other senior staff to identify new opportunities and collaborations and ensure alignment across departments.

Operational Oversight

• Responsible for finance, policy, reporting, innovation, volunteer training, crisis management, risk assessment, and technology integration as it relates to AGU's Meetings and Events.
• Responsible for tracking and regular reporting on data and analytics related to AGU's Meetings and Events, and applying data and analytics to decision-making and management practices.
• Monitor political, economic, social, and technological developments, including the meetings industry environmental factors that may impact the long- and short-term success of AGU Meetings and provide recommendations on how AGU should address and adapt to these developments.

Community Engagement & Industry Involvement

• Participate in other professional societies and activities related to Earth and space sciences and the Meeting and Events profession; represent AGU on appropriate committees of other organizations.
• Identify and forge positive relationships with AGU volunteers, including the Board of Directors, Council, Program, and the Meetings committees.
• Work with volunteer committees and leadership to set policies and guidelines as they relate to AGU's Meetings & Events.
• Encourage and expand participation in AGU Meetings programs through in-person and digital means.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

Leadership & Strategic Experience

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles in meeting and event management and planning, including 5+ years managing large events (>15,000 attendees).
• Demonstrated experience developing long-term strategic plans for a meeting and/or event production enterprise and executing against that plan through interaction with staff and partners to deliver results.
• Experience managing and growing a complex business across a portfolio of offerings.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement creative solutions in rapidly changing environments.
• Visionary leader with professional communication skills.
• Solution-oriented, strategic, and creative thinker, comfortable with big-picture planning.
• Experience with business development, revenue growth, and client management.
• Business acumen with an understanding of budget development and financial management, including operations experience.

Industry Experience & Relationship Building

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred; scientific background or experience working with scientists is also preferred.
• Experience working in a membership organization environment is preferred.
• Record of building and maintaining sponsorship relationships and engaging broadly with the private sector.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, including sponsors, by building and sustaining strategic partnerships.
• Effective negotiation skills, including the ability to negotiate contracts and business arrangements.

Operational & Technological Skills

• Overall knowledge of the entire meeting planning process, in face-to-face, virtual, and on-demand formats.
• Understanding and application of technologies to enhance and extend engagement and the meeting experience for attendees.
• Demonstrated experience with digital and virtual product development.
• Ability to stay on the pulse of industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Adaptable and resilient in high-pressure situations, with an ability to manage risk and crisis communications.

Soft Skills & Other Capabilities

• Interpersonal and management skills with an ability to build effective teams, utilizing listening and facilitation skills.
• Drive effective outcomes and develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Commitment to inclusive practices, including transparency and cooperation.
• Ability to identify, assess, and address key scientific and business trends.
• Ability to develop clear, concise, and compelling presentations, proposals, reports, and documents.
• Ability to prioritize continuous improvement and innovation.
• Perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines and requirements for accuracy and quality in a fast-paced work environment.
• Effective computer skills and experience. Develop and monitor spreadsheets, complex financial models, and other analyses to drive improvement and results.
• Ability to work with AGU leadership and community to determine current and future trends in Earth and space sciences and contemporary future trends regarding Earth and space sciences competencies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• The ability to travel 20% of the time, with some trips spanning up to 12 consecutive days. 

AGU ESSENTIAL VALUES

•        Accountability: Own it

• Take personal responsibility for the things that go right and the things that go wrong.

•        Excellence: Give your all

• Develop and implement systems, processes, and approaches that continually anticipate and exceed the expectations of both in-person and virtual meeting attendees.
• Project, communicate, and inspire a positive understanding of and support for the AGU mission and strategic plan.

•        Integrity: Do the right thing

• Act ethically in words, deeds, and actions; demonstrate commitment and care to colleagues, members, and customers.

•        Member & Customer Service: Members & Customers first

• When problems do arise, take responsibility to make things right.

•        Respect: Earn it and give it

• Create and encourage a learning environment, including informed risk-taking among the Meetings departmental staff.
• Empower staff to make decisions consistent with their level of authority
• Work with diverse cultures and personalities with respect.

•        Teamwork: Together, everyone achieves more

• Partner with other AGU programs and service areas to maximize the value of existing programs and services, and create new programs and services to benefit AGU stakeholders.
• Explore and create partnerships with other organizations to further the science with a focus on international development, inter and trans-disciplinary science, and societal awareness.
• Establish, promote, and facilitate a team-oriented environment focused on continuous improvement.
• Seek and maintain strong interdepartmental interactions, both formal and informal, and ensure the actions of the Meetings department actively support the strategies and activities of other departments and AGU overall.

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS

• We understand that it is unrealistic for candidates to fulfill 100% of the criteria listed in a job posting. However, we encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of the requirements because we know that skills evolve. If you are willing to learn and evolve alongside us, join our team!
• Full-time, Exempt, remote position in many U.S. states. (We are NOT hiring in WA, OR, and CA for now.)
• The pay range for this position is starting at Minimum-$146,250, Midpoint -$195,000, Maximum. $243,750. We typically hire from the  starting to the midpoint of our range.”
• Work Authorization: We will not sponsor applicants for work visas in the U.S.
• AGU will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Salary Minimum: 146250Salary Maximum: 243750