Associate Director of Events

Associate Director of Events

Werner Enterprises Omaha, NE

The Associate Director of Events is a strategic leadership role responsible for the vision, planning and execution of a diverse portfolio of corporate, associate and customer-facing events. This role requires a high-energy professional who can balance creative experience design with meticulous operational logistics. From large-scale festivals and national conferences to intimate executive summits, you will ensure that every event is a high-caliber representation of the brand. You will lead cross-functional teams and manage external partners to deliver seamless, high-impact experiences that drive engagement and reinforce company culture. You are a "big picture" thinker who isn't afraid to get into the weeds. You thrive in the fast-paced environment of events and have a reputation for staying calm under pressure. You are a master of details, a savvy negotiator and a creative storyteller who understands that a great event is more than just a schedule—it's creating a memorable event.

Responsibilities

• Event Roadmap: Develop and oversee a comprehensive annual event strategy that aligns with corporate goals, brand identity and key business milestones.
• Production Oversight: Lead and/or work closely with the Marketing Communications team when it comes to event production including stage management, A/V and lighting design and technical logistics for live entertainment and keynote speakers.
• Experiential Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends to integrate interactive elements, emerging technologies and creative activations that elevate the attendee experience.
• Talent Management: Act as the primary liaison for entertainment, guest speakers and third-party production crews, managing contract negotiation.
• Project Governance: Direct the full lifecycle of multiple concurrent events, ensuring strict adherence to timelines, workstreams and delivery milestones.
• Budget Stewardship: Own the budget of the events department including budget forecasting, meticulous expense tracking and post-event ROI analysis.
• Vendor Ecosystem: Source, vet and manage a diverse network of vendors (catering, logistics, decor and security), ensuring high-quality delivery and cost-efficiency.
• Site & Safety Logistics: Oversee site selection, crowd management, transportation and robust contingency/safety planning for events of varying scales.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with HR, Sales, Facilities and Executive leadership to ensure events meet the needs of all internal and external stakeholders.
• Brand Integrity: Ensure flawless brand execution across all physical and digital touchpoints, maintaining a consistent "look and feel" across the event portfolio.
• Leadership Presence: Provide progress updates and performance metrics to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience required.
• Has a minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience in event planning, event coordination, and project management.
• Has deep expertise in planning and executing high-profile, executive-level events from concept through on-site delivery and post-event measurement.
• Has strong design experience instincts — able to craft events that feel intentional, premium and differentiated across every audience touchpoint.
• Manages multiple events simultaneously across different audience segments, formats and scales without sacrificing quality.
• Has strong project management skills — able to build detailed plans, manage cross-functional workstreams and drive accountability across internal and external stakeholders in a complex, multi-event environment.
• Has demonstrated experience owning event budgets and managing expense accountability across a portfolio of programs.
• Has strong negotiation skills with experience managing large-scale vendor, hotel and venue contracts to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Leads through both direct authority and cross-functional influence — directing teams with and without formal reporting lines to deliver shared outcomes.
• Is a clear communicator and people leader with a track record of building collaborative, high-functioning teams.
• Has high design and brand literacy — able to establish and uphold visual and experiential standards that reflect a premium brand across all event touchpoints.
• Is a strategic thinker who connects event programming to business objectives and broader marketing strategy.
• Owns and manages relationships with stakeholders directly and works effectively with people at all levels in an organization.
• Has a minimum of a bachelor's degree
• Has a minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with project management tools like Monday.com, Asana or trello.
• Experience with event platforms like Cvent or vFairs.
• Experience with social media.

We know benefits are critical and we are committed to offering comprehensive and affordable options for you and your loved ones. This position is eligible for benefits, which include medical, dental and vision plans. We also offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, paid time off, life insurance, disability plans and other optional supplemental coverage. Werner Enterprises provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, genetic information or veteran status or other status protected by law. We encourage applicants of all ages as we do not discriminate on the basis of an applicant's age. By clicking "Submit" you are expressly consenting to our Privacy Policy (available at and to Werner Enterprises, Inc., its representatives, and affiliates ("Werner") contacting you about your inquiry, and that Werner may collect sensitive information about you to consider your employment as explained further in our Privacy Policy. All information collected will be handled and retained as explained in the Privacy Policy.