Senior Director, Meetings

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Director, Meetings is ACI’s primary meeting planner and operational lead for the full portfolio of ACI events. This is a designated succession plan role: the position currently reports to the AVP, Meetings and will transition to report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) upon the AVP’s departure.

The Senior Director is responsible for the full lifecycle of meeting planning and delivery, from translating strategic direction and budget parameters set by the COO through on-site execution, post-event analysis, and continuous improvement. Signature events include the ACI Annual Meeting and Industry Convention and Spark Summit, each reflecting ACI’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, and member-centric values.

Upon the AVP’s departure, this role will directly supervise the Manager, Meetings and serve as ACI’s primary operational contact for all meeting-related functions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Meeting Planning & Operational Readiness:

• Implement ACI’s annual meetings and events strategy as set by the COO, translating organizational direction into detailed operational plans in coordination with the Innovation & Education Committee and key stakeholders.
• Develop and manage a master event calendar and operational plan for all ACI meetings, ensuring alignment with the COO’s strategic priorities and member needs.
• Stay current on trends in event design, member engagement, and convention management, bringing relevant insights and recommendations to the COO to inform convention strategy and programming decisions.
• Bring creative, operationally grounded ideas for improving meeting formats, content delivery, and attendee experience, and execute approved innovations with excellence.

Convention & Meeting Execution:

• Oversee all logistical and operational aspects of ACI meetings, including the Annual Meeting and Industry Convention, Spark Summit, Board of Directors meetings, and committee meetings.
• Manage venue selection, RFP processes, contract negotiation, and ongoing hotel and vendor relationships.
• Direct preparation and approval of all venue specifications, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), and supplier coordination to ensure flawless on-site execution.
• Serve as the on-site staff lead for all events, managing staff, vendors, and real-time troubleshooting to ensure a seamless attendee experience.
• Coordinate speaker logistics, registration management, signage, event materials, and all attendee-facing touchpoints.
• Manage the development and delivery of ACI webinars and virtual event components as directed.

Budget & Financial Management:

• Develop, manage, and monitor all meeting and convention budgets within parameters approved by the COO, tracking expenses, flagging variances, and ensuring financial targets are met.
• Manage risk by working with In-House Counsel on reviewing contracts for compliance and organizational protection.
• Identify and surface cost-saving opportunities and revenue-generating ideas across the meetings portfolio for COO review and direction.

 Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Serve as ACI’s primary operational contact and liaison for industry Meeting Planners, facilitating smooth execution of member business-to-business meetings and events.
• Provide staff support and facilitation management for the Innovation & Education Committee, including preparation of agendas, materials, and follow-up.
• Keep the COO proactively and transparently informed on all event-related issues, risks, and opportunities, escalating decisions appropriately and ensuring no surprises.
• Cultivate strong relationships with ACI members, vendors, venues, and industry partners to enhance ACI’s reputation as a premier convener.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Directly supervise the Manager, Meetings upon the AVP’s departure, providing clear direction, regular feedback, and professional development support.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture focused on excellence, accountability, and member service.
• Develop and implement internal processes and tools to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of meeting planning operations.

Evaluation & Continuous Improvement:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of all ACI meetings through attendee feedback, data analysis, and post-event debriefs.
• Prepare and deliver post-event reports to the COO with outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations to support COO-level evaluation and strategic direction for future events.
• Use data, attendee feedback, and post-event analysis to identify operational improvements and bring recommendations to the COO to inform future event direction.