Assistant Vice President, Conference & Events

National Council For Behavioral Health - Washington, DC

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Washington, DC

101-250 employees

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Conference & Events to lead and manage all logistical aspects of over 40 annual events, including NatCon, the largest mental health and substance use treatment conference in the U.S. with more than 5,000 attendees. This role is pivotal in ensuring the successful execution of these events by inspiring and leading a dedicated team. The Assistant Vice President will be responsible for developing and managing enterprise-wide procedures related to meeting planning and logistics, continuously assessing these processes to ensure they remain innovative and effective. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership abilities, a proven track record in effective planning, and a collaborative spirit to work with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver exceptional event experiences. In this fully remote position, the Assistant Vice President will oversee a team of seven staff members, including four direct reports. While the role is remote, candidates should ideally be based in the Washington, DC area or be willing to travel there regularly for event support. The working hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET, and the role requires a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive team environment, ensuring employee growth and development through regular coaching and feedback. The Assistant Vice President will also be responsible for establishing and tracking team goals aligned with the organization's strategic objectives, providing guidance and accountability for decisions made by direct reports, and overseeing workflows and resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project management related to meeting/event planning for various meetings, workshops, trainings, and the annual conference.
• Develop and monitor budgets, identifying cost-saving measures and new revenue streams.
• Review financial information for accuracy in collaboration with the SVP, MCE, and Finance Department.
• Oversee the implementation and reporting of evaluations and other outcomes measurement requirements for effective program evaluation.
• Lead the Conference and Events team, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment and promoting employee growth through coaching and feedback.
• Establish and track team goals aligned with organizational strategic goals.
• Provide guidance and accountability for decisions made by direct reports.
• Oversee all facets of registration, program development, logistics, and accreditation for in-person and virtual events.
• Negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors including hotels and transportation companies.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and planning documents for events to maximize productivity and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with internal departments to execute events according to established standards.
• Provide timely updates to staff on key milestones and deadlines for seamless event planning.
• Cultivate authentic communication between department members of the core planning team.
• Lead cross-functional teams to analyze and present key financial and strategic issues to executive leadership.
• Develop on-site staffing schedules and conduct training for staff preparing for events.
• Identify new opportunities and engage in outreach activities to pursue cost-saving measures and new revenue streams.

Requirements

• 7-9 years of progressive experience in large events management leadership, preferably in a nonprofit association or related organization.
• 5+ years of experience in a people management role.
• Demonstrated success in leading the planning and execution of complex and visible conferences and events.
• Hold and maintain the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification.
• Demonstrate critical leadership abilities such as emotional intelligence, delegation, strategic thinking, and a future focus.
• Excellent communication and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize in a dynamic workplace.
• Ability to foster strong teamwork under strict deadlines and manage a full calendar of events.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and lead in a remote work environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20% for events and site selection.