Director, Events

Airport Authority Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
director events event events team management authority travel director marketing customer experience invitations heads
December 5, 2022
Airport Authority
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
FULL_TIME
The Allegheny County Airport Authority ACAA invites you aboard our mission to create meaningful travel experiences in the aviation industry. As Pittsburgh's gateway to the world, both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport serve as beacons of change and connectivity for our region. As a member of our crew, you will directly serve, inspire, and advance our community in significant ways that impact the daily lives of others and the future of our organization. Whether you have a passion for travel, an appreciation for aeronautics and aviation, or an unparalleled love for the city of Pittsburgh, ACAA provides the opportunity for the next chapter of your career to take flight.

Our culture is one that emphasizes high performance, innovation, and learning. We know that those things only happen when everyone who works in an organization is properly empowered, equipped, and enabled in their roles to make an impact. At ACAA success is a shared responsibility, and we look forward to supporting and developing the unique strengths you could bring to our team.

Job Summary

The ACAA's Director, Events will report to the SVP, Marketing, Communications, & Customer Experience and assumes responsibility for providing leadership and management of all department and Airport Authority events, including, but not limited to: new air service announcements/gate events, airline and community partner events, State of the Airport, employee town halls and events, board meetings, and any special event affiliated with the Airport.

Here is how the Director, Events will help:
  • Provide event-related support to all Airport Authority departments, with the approval of the SVP, Marketing, Communications, & Customer Experience, leading up to events in such ways as: sourcing quotes, responding to general inquiries, setting agendas, confirming speakers, securing sponsors, managing transportation and managing their expectations.
  • Provide consultation and/or guidance for event-related publications and promotions, such as invitations, "hold the dates," event programs, and social media.
  • Direct set-up, manage event materials, check-in process, assisting with production elements and timing, communicating and selecting menu choices with venue and catering staff to ensure flawless flow, managing break down, and overall troubleshooting.
  • Make provisions for any audio-visual needs, which may include the need for production professionals; and ensure all AV requirements are in place and fully functional
  • Direct and coordinate all Airport events, serving as the liaison between departments, employees, public officials and offices, union officials, and the public.
  • Lead negotiations for venue contracts and booking event space, arranging catering needs, order supplies and audiovisual equipment, managing invitation process and RSVPs, draft event briefings, make necessary travel arrangements to event locations, and ensure proper décor to meet the quality expectations of the event.
  • Oversee volunteers and interns for event coordination activities.
  • Distribute event invitations and register invitees through database entry and tracking.
  • Complete, maintain and distribute accurate pre- and post-event documentation, including but not limited to, generating invitations, VIP lists, thank you notes, surveys and archiving event files.
  • Provide post-event analysis and recommendations, based on assessing the events, observations of colleagues, and his/her own assessment of the event success.
  • Manage budgets and provide periodic progress report for each event project; tracking finances including administrative/board actions, check requests, invoicing and reporting.
  • Develop and monitor event timelines.
  • Coordinate site visits to proposed event locations.
  • Oversee the booking of and management of venues, distributions of invitations and management of RSVPs.
  • Conduct research, identify opportunities for improved operations and service excellence, and compile and type statistical reports to make recommendations to management as it relates to event planning, venues, vendors, travel arrangements, etc.
  • Organize contest campaigns through tracking ad deadlines, contest schedules, maintaining entry databases and coordination with sponsors including airlines, media outlets or events.
  • Provide advice and consultation on logistics, infrastructure and services to outside event organizers and inside department heads.
  • Plan and coordinate special events, meet & greets, tours and VIP visits as necessary.
  • Assist appropriate department heads with ceremonies, holiday parties, flight announcements, escorts or tours, commercial filming and photography and other special events as needed.
  • Research and respond to information requests.
  • Other support as requested by Airport Authority department heads with the approval of the SVP, Marketing, Communications, & Customer Experience.
  • Perform other tasks or duties as assigned or required.
The successful candidate for the role of Director, Events will demonstrate the following key competencies needed in our culture:
  • Communication - Able to clearly articulate short-term vision, department goals and objectives; Collaborate effectively with peers; Able to communicate policy and strategy to team members.
  • Strategic Thinking - Able to determine short-term outcomes and give guidance on how to meet goals; Able to direct and deliver plans to achieve efficient, on-time results.
  • Team Builder - Able to direct and implement project objectives through "one team" approach; Focused on developing team; direct work of team through leadership and accountability; Makes informed decisions.
  • Customer Centricity- Leads team to identify and improve customer experience; Directs and implements improvements that positively impacts most stakeholders.
Qualifications

Requirements to apply for the role of Director, Events are:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in marketing, hospitality, event management, or a related discipline.
  • A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred.
  • 8 years related experience at the managerial level.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and software.
  • Current Class C Pennsylvania driver's license.

We also expect that candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in most cases:
  • Superior, proven organizational skills, and the ability to function effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
  • Minimum of 5 years event managements experience
  • Ability to make accurate and sound analysis.
  • Ability to communicate courteously, tactfully and effectively with department heads, employees, union officials, airlines and other partners, and the public.
  • Ability to accomplish project with little to no supervision.
  • Ability to supervise, train and motive multiple levels of management, employees, volunteers and vendors.
  • Basic principles of mathematics.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, code, rules, regulations and policies affecting and related to special event activities and FAA regulations as they relate to advertising/promotion.
  • Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
Don't meet every requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don't meet every single qualification. As a Smarter Airport, we recognize that talent is not always related job history and skills come from valuable experiences that aren't always shown on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive change for our region, but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for our organization, whether it be this role or another.

Caring For Our Crew

At ACAA, we've got you covered. That applies to how we equip, empower, and enable our people to do their jobs. It also applies to our benefits, which are broader and more valuable than what many other employers offer:
  • We offer two plan options for healthcare coverage from high-quality insurance carriers, as well as an ACAA-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that will help offset the cost of many medical expenses.
- ACAA employees pay almost $1,200 less per year in healthcare payroll contributions than the average employee in other companies, according to market surveys.

- When HRA funding is included, the health-plan deductibles paid by ACAA employees are about $1,200 lower on average than the costs paid by employees of other companies.

- ACAA does not require that employees meet a separate deductible for pharmacy expenses before prescription-drug coverage kicks in.
  • ACAA's dental plans (included with healthcare coverage) offer an option covering children's orthodontia.
  • Employees also can take advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
  • All eligible full-time ACAA employees participate in the Allegheny County Employees Pension Plan, a defined-benefit plan that vests after 10 years of service.
  • Employees also may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows them to contribute part of their pay on a pre-tax basis into long-term retirement investments.
  • A robust Employee Assistance Program (including access to free counselling sessions, financial guidance . click apply for full job details

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