Director, Exhibits & Sponsorships

1800 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

Req #587

Thursday, March 16, 2023

At SHRM, we are committed to making work, workers and workplaces better through insights-driven policy solutions, learning and development, thought leadership and research. We are shaping the ways employers and employees thrive together. SHRM is empowering our more than 300,000+ members, including HR professionals, business executives, and people managers, to lead as strategic business partners and effective stewards of workplace culture, business productivity, and employee engagement.

The Director, Exhibits and Sponsorships is responsible for directing all aspects of the exhibits and sponsorship programs for SHRM events and, provides effective leadership to a high performing team to achieve sales goals, deliver exceptional customer service, and execute well-produced logistics and operations. The Director of Exhibits & Sponsorships represents SHRM at industry events to build brand awareness and cultivate and maintain relationships with clients. The Director also serves as a role model within the events team and support departments projects, cross-department teamwork, and communication working collaboratively with publications and communications departments, and supports key areas of SHRM including the SHRM Foundation, SHRM Publications and advertising sales, and global activities.

The Director serves as the driver for innovative sponsorships and exhibitions strategies and leads implementation of the Blue Circle opportunity in concert with key internal stakeholders.

Position Description

• Manage, coach, and motivate the Exhibits Team – internal and external sales effort.

• Ensure that direct reports receive management support, and constructive feedback and have resources to achieve sales and customer service goals

• Direct the outside sales group efforts

• Provide the proper tools and resources for both the internal and external teams to perform their tasks at the highest possible level

• Ensure goals and standards are met by the sales/operations team for the SHRM Specialty Conferences

• Accountable for financial management of exhibits and sponsorship programs

• Maintain accurate financial tracking and forecasting

• Ensure budgeted goals are achieved

• Generate timely and accurate exhibits and sponsorship sales reports for all SHRM events

• Direct the overall logistics and execution of the exhibits and sponsorship programs at the SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition

• Develop, Analyze, and Lead Sales Strategy

• Develop and design the Exhibit Hall layout and overall floor plan

• Develop and manage prospect lists

• Create effective promotional materials (print and digital)

• Assign exhibit space by priority points system

• Establish and support value proposition tag line

• Implement Tools for Sales, Retention, and Communication

• Oversee management of CRM software and technology systems

• Manage and expand exhibitor on-boarding, engagement & retention

• Create and analyze the post-event exhibitor survey

• Oversee the development and execution of the monthly newsletters

• Maintain an open line of communication with all exhibiting and sponsoring companies – focus on high-level clients with large accounts

• General Operations Pre-Event and Onsite

• Work directly with the SHRM General Counsel to safeguard the organization at all time via the exhibitor and sponsorship contracts

• Select, manage and oversee the performance of contractors including the general service contractor, security, registration, shipping, floor managers

• Direct all activities in the SHRM Exposition including the (3) theatres, Exhibitor Central (Exhibitor Registration, Exhibitor Sales Office, Exhibitor Lounge, Business Appointment Suites), food and beverage (reception, coffee breaks, luncheons, refreshment), sponsor fulfillment, and prize drawings to maximize the exhibitor experience and ensure attendees desired value

• Overall-management of all external trade shows. Collaborate effectively with the Marketing/Communications teams to elevate the SHRM brand and exhibitor/attendee experience including:

• Budgeting

• Marketing

• Logistics & Operations

• Collaboration with Communications team on a regular basis to ensure the overall event strategy is implemented effectively

Position Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma.

• Preferred: Bachelor’s or graduate degree.

• Required: 10 years of experience in progressive leadership role, specifically in developing and managing exhibits and sponsorships.

• Required:

• Knowledge of HR content areas and topics, with a demonstrated eye for the “cutting edge” of current topics and areas of concern.

• Strong project management skill, including the ability to manage teams comprised of SHRM employees, external experts, and partners/contractors.

• Ability to work collaboratively across the entire SHRM organization, with an inclination to achieve the “best possible” result for members/customers.

• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking expertise and effective written communication abilities.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Flexibility, adaptability and a cool head, staying focused in the midst of changing circumstances and effectively problem-solving and guiding flawless results.

• Substantive experience in working with external vendors and contractors.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit; talk and hear, use hands to type, file, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

• Light lifting is required. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects.

Work Environment

• Work is regularly performed in a combination of office and conference settings and routinely uses standard office equipment.

• This job requires moderate travel 20-30%.

Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

SHRM is an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran).

We do not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Other details

• Job Family Sales

• Job Function Sales

• Pay Type Salary

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• 1800 Duke St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA