Senior Director - Meetings & Events

What You Will Do:

Direct and manage enterprise-wide meetings and events that support the company's mission, strategy, and priorities. Develop and execute events and meetings that deliver superior client experiences while delivering optimal business value.

How You Will Do It:

• Oversight of the teams which are accountable for meetings and events (for field, home office, and community audiences) that occur in venues across the country and on Northwestern Mutual's campus. The scope of these meetings is generally midsized (e.g., schools for 50 + participants across the nation) to large (multi-day annual meeting for 17,000 financial reps and their families).

• Collaborate with and advise the CEO, senior leaders, external VIPs, and vendors on successful event strategies, content, logistics, and budget-related matters.

• Collaborate and strengthen the Home Office relationship with the Field and Field Leaders.

• Collaborate within the team for the transformational integration of restaurants and events into one cohesive business unit to include ongoing continuous improvement to optimize the efficiency and value of the work.

• Oversee negotiations, contract management and coordination with vendor partners such as conference centers, hotels, catering firms, production companies, technical and audiovisual specialists including oversight of the budget and procurement.

• Direct the coordination of significant on-site civic and philanthropic events that contribute to the Company's mission, strategy, and brand.

• Collaborate with the Restaurant/Catering Director to ensure related amenity operations for the company to assure diverse, nutritious, convenient, and cost-effective food and amenities are provided for all customers at all events.

• Responsible for the culture and engagement of the teams and for ensuring effective leadership of the work and the employees.

• Responsible for Northwestern Mutual Learning Institute space management and maximization through improved reservation process.

• Direct the development of metrics and standards for the work, along with reporting tools that will measure the results and success of the team's work.

• Responsible for budget planning and fiscally responsible practices, in coordination with the financial management team.

Bring Your Best! What This Role Needs:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field; Master's Degree - a plus.

• 10 years of corporate events and hospitality experience in a business setting, with at least 5 years of luxury hotel experience (preferred) along with commensurate leadership experience.

• Previous experience directing upscale events and meetings in a corporate setting, working with internal stakeholders, company leadership, and the community. Luxury Hospitality experience required; NM field force experience preferred.

• Demonstrated political savvy and relationship-building skills. Ability to pull together disparate perspectives and drive to outcomes. Strong track record of successfully building effective stakeholder relationships (including HO, Field, and external partners).

• Exceptional people leadership to include managerial courage, managing change, and creating high-performing and collaborative teams.

• Proven track record in developing vision and strategy that align with and advance corporate strategic objectives.

• Strong track record of delivering results and executing on plans.

• Ability to work across organizational boundaries; strong organizational agility skills to get things done.

• Proven skills in dealing with ambiguity and paradox; ability to iterate while overseeing multiple, high-visibility activities/priorities.

• Ability to lead change effectively both within the divisions and across the organization.

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