Chicago (Nationwide)
Fully Remote
United States - Nationwide
McLean, Virginia
Remote
Posted: 30-Jun-26
Location: Washington, D.C.
Type: Full Time
Salary: $130,000 - $140,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Organization & Position Summary
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) is the Washington, DC-based trade association representing the 35,000-company, $8.2 trillion wholesale distribution industry.
Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Senior Director, Events & Programs leads the strategy, planning, and execution of NAW's meetings, events, and educational programs. This role ensures NAW's portfolio delivers exceptional member experiences, advances organizational priorities, strengthens sponsor partnerships, and contributes to the association's growth and financial success.
The Senior Director is responsible for the overall planning, management, execution, and continuous improvement of NAW's portfolio of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events and educational programs. Key responsibilities include:
- Directing the planning, execution, and program design of NAW's Summits, Roundtables, Distribution Executive Networks (DENs), Distribution Leadership Program (DLP), Board of Directors meetings, webinars, and other educational offerings.
- Overseeing event logistics, production, quality standards, vendor management, operating budgets, and project management.
- Leading the Events Logistics and Education and Programs teams by setting priorities, establishing performance expectations, developing staff, and ensuring consistent, high-quality execution.
- Managing program and event budgets while identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, enhance the attendee experience, and maximize financial performance.
- Collaborating with executive leadership, Board members, sponsors, speakers, members, and external partners to ensure programs align with NAW's strategic objectives.
The Senior Director is accountable for delivering a high-quality, innovative portfolio of meetings and educational programs that drives member engagement, supports revenue goals, and reinforces NAW's reputation as the leading voice of the wholesale distribution industry.
The ideal candidate is an energetic leader with experience in large-scale event and/or program management, executive presence, budget creation and management, and the ability to translate organizational goals & strategy into high-impact member experiences.
Essential Job Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, each essential job responsibility must be performed satisfactorily. Other responsibilities may be assigned to meet business needs.
Leadership
- Provides leadership and oversight for NAW’s full events and programs portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, expense, revenue and margin goals, and member engagement objectives.
- Leads, develops, and mentors high-performing, well-developed Event Logistics, Education & Programs team. Sets clear expectations, supports day-to-day execution, and promotes ongoing professional development.
Program Delivery and Event Logistics
- Owns portfolio planning, annual calendars, programs, growth opportunities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Establishes and enforces standards and processes for event execution, program development, vendor management, and on-site and virtual program offerings.
- Oversees the planning and execution of all major NAW events and programs, ensuring consistent quality, scalability, operational excellence, and a best-in-class experience for members, speakers, sponsors and partners.
- Oversees the identification, vetting and preparation of speakers and subject matter experts to ensure their delivery aligns with organization’s standards and event’s objectives.
- Serves as the escalation point for high-profile events and complex programs, providing guidance and decision-making support as needed.
Financial, Vendor & Operational Management
- Develops and manages program and events expense budgets, ensuring effective resources allocation, forecasting, cost control, and post-event reconciliation, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational targets.
- Leads strategic vendor and partner relationships, including contract strategy, negotiation oversight, long-term partnerships, and performance management.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Innovation
- Drives innovation in event design, programming, attendee engagement, process, and program management; Identifies opportunities to evolve events and programs as one of NAW’s strategic assets through new formats, technologies, content strategies, and experiential elements.
- Partners with senior leaders across departments to ensure events, programs, and project management, support business objectives and deliver measurable outcomes.
Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to successfully perform the job as well as the education and experience requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proven leadership experience overseeing large-scale events and/or educational programs
- Strong planning and portfolio management capabilities
- Exceptional organizational, operational, and financial acumen
- Ability to collaborate with, lead and influence senior leaders, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to pro-actively manage and develop direct reports and teams
- Analytical thinking: ability to use data to inform program design and delivery. Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information from a board or counsel into actionable, engaging themes for diverse audiences.
- Ability to create new processes and demonstrate sound judgment
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills
- Effective negotiation skills and experience managing high-value vendor and partner relationships
- Ability to balance long-term strategy with operational execution in a fast-paced environment
- Strong business acumen
- Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, quality, change management initiatives and continuous improvement
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree, required, CMP preferred
- 8+ years of progressive experience in event management, program leadership, or related fields, required, 3+ years of managing direct report(s)
- Experience leading teams and managing complex portfolios, required
- Experience working with senior executives, Boards, sponsors, and external partners, required
- Association, nonprofit, or professional services experience, desirable
