About this position:

Position Summary:

First Liberty Institute’s Director of Events provides strategic leadership, planning, and execution for First Liberty’s event portfolio, ensuring exceptional experiences that support donor engagement, mission awareness, and fundraising initiatives. The Director of Events leads the event team, manages budgets, oversees vendor relationships, and ensures all events are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with goals and brand standards.

Responsibilities:

• Event Strategy & Planning
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive annual event strategy aligned with organizational priorities
  • Create and manage an annual calendar of 15-20 events, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources and staffing
  • Identify opportunities to enhance supporter experience, operational efficiency, and event effectiveness
  • Establish event goals, timelines, project plans, and performance metrics
  • Collaborate with Development, Marketing and Executive Leadership to ensure event objectives are met
  • Provide strategic and creative input for event assets including websites, digital communications, programs, signage, staging and mobile applications
• Event Management & Execution
  • Oversee all aspects of event planning, program, the donor experience for all events including our flagship gala and Christmas party (unless another delegate is established)
  • Ensure seamless event logistics from concept through post-event evaluation
  • Manage venue selection, catering, audiovisual production, registration systems, transportation, security, and event staffing
  • Develop contingency plans and oversee risk management for all events
  • Ensure compliance with First Liberty’s organizational policies
• Budget Management
  • Develop and manage annual event budgets and individual event budgets
  • Monitor expenses and ensure events remain within approved budgets
  • Negotiate contracts and pricing with venues, vendors, suppliers, and service providers
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining event quality and attendee experience
  • Provide regular budget forecasts and financial reports
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, coach, and supervise event managers, coordinators, and support staff
  • Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance standards
  • Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on excellence and innovation
  • Oversee staffing plans and contractor management
  • Support professional development and succession planning with the events team
• Vendor Management
  • Develop and maintain relationships with venues, vendors, consultants, and event partners
  • Manage vendor selection, contract negotiation, and performance evaluation
  • Ensure high-quality service delivery and adherence to contractual obligations
  • Build a network of preferred vendors and strategic event partners
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Must agree with and sign First Liberty’s Articles of Faith
• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration or related field preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible event management experience
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing teams and budgets
• Demonstrated success planning and executing large-scale events with attendance up to 1200 participants
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Experience managing multiple concurrent events and competing priorities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency with event management software, registration platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel as required for event planning and management
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or similar industry certification, preferred
• Experience in nonprofit, association, conference or corporate event management, preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods during meetings, event setup, event execution and tear down
• Intermittent periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Lift up to 40 lbs. with assistance