Director of Events, Washington DC

POSITION TITLE:
Director of Events, Washington DC

EXEMPTION STATUS:
Exempt

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director of Events manages and mentors the Event Management team, providing leadership, guidance, and training to support performance and professional growth within the department. This position is client-facing and requires strong communication skills to build lasting relationships with customers, finalize creative concepts, and ensure event objectives are met. The Director of Events also oversees local vendor relationships, ensuring service quality and providing constructive feedback to maintain high standards. This role requires deep expertise in navigating the unique regulatory and security landscape of Washington, D.C., including coordination with multiple oversight entities and large-scale, citywide logistics in the Washington DC metro area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day leadership to the Event Management team, aligning departmental efforts with company revenue and operational and profit goals.

• Mentor, develop, and motivate Event Management team members to achieve performance targets and foster a culture of accountability and excellence, offering structure, motivation, and mentorship to ensure operational excellence and timely execution.

• Collaborate with EVP Events and General Manager on staffing plans, resource allocation, training, and succession planning.

• Collaborate with DOS and DDD to provide structure, motivation, and mentorship to the team to drive performance and operational objectives.

• Step in and be client facing when needed.

Team/Employee Management

•
Assign local programs strategically, keeping in mind individual goals and targets

• Collaborate on large program turnovers as needed.

• Create and nurture a positive workplace culture that encourages collaboration, trust, and strong team cohesion.

• Partner with the Program Financial Manager to ensure final client billing is completed within seven business days, P&Ls are closed accurately and on time, and program profitability is achieved.

• Ensure team adherence to company processes and procedures.

• Lead performance reviews and guide personnel decisions for the operations team in partnership with General Manager, EVP Event Management, and Human Resources.

• Participate in the hiring and evaluation processes for the operations department.

Washington, D.C. Market Expertise

• Serve as Cohera's operational lead for Event Management team and large team-wide programs, navigating the unique permitting, regulatory, and security requirements specific to Washington, D.C. events.

• Coordinate with federal, district, and local agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS), Department of Transportation (DDOT), Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and U.S. Secret Service to secure necessary permits and approvals.

• Oversee and support event team on event planning and compliance documentation, ensuring all events meet federal, city, and venue regulations.

• Work with Event & Transportation Manager to maintain current knowledge of citywide logistics requirements, including restricted zones, motorcade impacts, street closures, and public transportation coordination.

• Lead contingency and emergency planning for high-security or high-profile programs, in partnership with internal Safety and Risk Management teams.

• Build and manage stakeholder relationships across federal, local, and private entities, ensuring transparent communication and maintaining Cohera's credibility within the D.C. market.

• Guide the Event Management team in understanding D.C.-specific constraints and opportunities, mentoring them on best practices for complex permitting, public-space management, venues and vendors.

• Provide operational leadership for large-scale or citywide programs involving multiple Event Managers, ensuring strategic oversight, resource allocation, and consistent communication across teams.

• Represent Cohera confidently in meetings and presentations with city and federal agencies, clearly communicating event logistics, compliance plans, and operational requirements.

Company Processes and Training

• Work with other destination Director of Events & Strategic Training to deliver hands-on training to both new hires and existing team members within the operations department.

• Support Event Managers in identifying creative upselling opportunities and resolving client concerns

• Contribute ideas and initiatives to motivate and engage the operations team.

• Meet regularly with the General Manager to review program opportunities, individual performance, and departmental goals.

• Lead the destination weekly operations meeting

• Attend certification courses and professional development training as requested.

• Plan and execute one annual training day for destination Event Staff and/or one holiday event.

Client/Program Management

• Lead and operate assigned client programs from planning through execution.

• Lead all phases of event management, including contracting, planning, budgeting, logistics, and on-site execution for assigned

programs including high-touch clients and large-scale programs.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the planning process and maintain an open line of communication

with client during program dates and when client is in destination.

• Ensure program details meet client expectations while adhering to budgets, timelines, and company standards.

• Conduct assigned program operational site inspections, planning visits and walkthroughs.

• Be onsite during program duration; be flexible and maintain an open line of communication with client during program dates and when client is in destination.

• Manage the production of all program materials including diagrams, manifests, run-of-show documents, schedules, permitting and vendor confirmations.

• Ensure programs meet profitability targets by tracking costs, managing the P&L, and maintaining or growing profit margin from initial contract.

• Overseeing billing in collaboration with the Program Financial Manager.

• Collaborate with Sales, Strategic Accounts (if applicable), Design, Design Studio, and Vendors in successful and cohesive program delivery.

• Assist with multi-destination support as needed, including travel to other offices or destinations for program execution or team support.

• Participate in site inspections and program walkthroughs to ensure operational readiness and client satisfaction.

Event Staff Management

• Collaborate with the Staffing Coordinator to recruit, interview, and onboard qualified and professional Event Staff.

• Provide initial and ongoing training and mentorship for Event Staff, ensuring proficiency with all systems and tools, including Dayforce, Manifests, and Schedules of Services.

• Address performance or behavioral issues promptly, setting clear expectations and developing corrective action plans.

• Implement and manage the local office Internship Program to support talent development and departmental goals.

• Responsible for addressing performance and behavioral concerns with Event Staff and Contract Event Managers. This includes having prompt, verbal conversations immediately following any incidents to set clear expectations and develop a corrective action plan to resolve the issue efficiently.

Hotel/Vendor/Client Management

• Partner with the Design Studio team to enhance vendor and resource offerings.

• Maintain strong vendor relationships and proactively identify new partnership opportunities.

• Attend hotel presentations and FAMS, and be comfortable speaking to a group in the absence of a General Manager.

EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING PREFERRED

• Minimum of ten years work experience with a minimum of seven years in hospitality.

• Seven years of event management experience in the DMC industry.

• Proven track record managing multi-million-dollar, multi-day events and client portfolios.

•
Deep understanding of the DMC industry, large-scale event operations, and client lifecycle.

• Understanding of multiple jurisdiction permitting, event security, and compliance procedures.

• Established relationships with D.C.-area vendors, hotels, and regulatory agencies.

• Proven ability to manage events requiring coordination with multiple government entities and complex operational approvals.

• Strong project management skills to oversee large-scale, multi-day programs with multiple Event Managers involved.

• Expert-level knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis.

• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team development skills.

• Advanced understanding of contract negotiation and vendor management.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.

• Strong executive-level communication and presentation abilities.

• High proficiency in multitasking, decision-making, and navigating ambiguity.

• Skilled in relationship-building with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

• Solutions-oriented with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to travel to other Cohera office locations by vehicle or airplane.

Equipment and Applications

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; adaptable to CRM and other software (e.g., Salesforce, Dayforce).

• Computer, phone, copiers, phones, tablets and other standard office equipment.

JOB CONDITIONS
.

• Required to be ambulatory to move around freely between buildings and between levels within buildings.

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

• Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals associated with office work.

DISCLAIMER

This job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the role as it currently exists. It is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks that may be assigned.