Job Title: Events Director (Trade Shows)

Reports to: Events Officer

Department: Events Department

Job Type : Full-Time

Location: Remote

Subordinates: Events Manager, Exhibitor Services Manager, Events Coordinator, Event Contractors

Travel Frequency: Up to 25%

About Us:

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is a non-profit, membership-based organization which fosters a global coffee community and supports activity to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable activity for the entire value system. The SCA’s work currently centers on four key strategic goals: to drive the organization’s sustainable coffee agenda of equitable value distribution through research, education, partnerships, and activities; to create opportunities for coffee professionals’ development, engagement, and growth; to expand our global network by supporting and leveraging local communities to create locally-relevant experiences; and to enable our organization’s ability to deliver outstanding service. As a neutral unifying force within the specialty coffee industry, the SCA works to make coffee better by generating actionable knowledge, advocating for more sustainable business behaviors, and establishing collaborative and progressive standards.

About the Role:

The Events Director for Trade Shows plays a pivotal role in informing the direction and performance of SCA trade shows, both in-house and licensed. This dynamic position involves not only strategic planning and budget management but also hands-on production of in-house trade shows and oversight of support systems for licensed and outsourced events. Collaborating closely with sales, marketing, and innovation teams, the Events Director for Trade Shows crafts business objectives, event concepts, deliverables, and timelines that drive success. By introducing innovative solutions and ensuring meticulous planning and execution, the Event Director for Trade Shows enhances the impact of each event and meets key performance metrics per event. They develop strategies to ensure trade shows are consistently produced with a respect to the culture of the community. Reporting to the Events Officer, the Event Director for Trade Shows aligns all efforts with SCA's strategic goals, making this a critical role in the organization’s continued growth and innovation. 

Essential Functions: 

• Create and manage event budgets against approved organization budgets. 

• Approve expenditures and monitor financial performance of each project. 

• Engage with external stakeholders to build strong relationships and secure necessary resources. 

• Oversee all aspects of event planning and production, including site selection, contract negotiation, vendor management, logistics, and on-site operations. 

• Develop and implement the overall show management strategy aligned with the SCA’s goals and objectives, including defining event objectives and KPIs. 

• Oversee licensee handbook development and ensure support systems in place to licensees, and contracted service providers. 

• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment. 

• Continuously seek opportunities to innovate and improve event experiences. 

• Implement new technologies and methodologies to enhance attendee engagement and satisfaction.

• Support evolution of systems that underwrite trade shows. 

• Develop consistent systems for trade show data tracking. 

• Ensure key trade show tools are updated and maintained. 

• Ensure all events comply with relevant regulations and industry standards.

• Develop leaders and focus on succession planning, growing skills, and identifying emerging talent.

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Minimum of 7 years experience in event management, with proven track record of successfully planning and executing large-scale events. Experience in a trade association or similar membership-based organization is highly desirable. 

• Leadership skills within complex teams and multicultural environments 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage your own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Experience in a remote working environment 

• High proficiency in negotiating skills, including contract and vendor negotiations 

• Proficiency in trade show software systems: apps, registration, CRMs 

• Experience with Microsoft Office 365 and Salesforce a plus 

• Demonstrated attention to detail, with the ability to identify and correct errors efficiently 

• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make informed decisions 

• Excellent problem-solving abilities to develop effective solutions for complex challenges 

Requirements to Perform the Job:

• Ability to work remotely in a productive environment 

• Access to internet 

• Ability to meet travel frequency, as required 

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; and frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. At times this position is very active and requires bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing, frequently lifting and/or moving items over 50 pounds. 

Other Duties: 

Please note this Scope of Work is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the contractor for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EOC Statement: 

At SCA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.