Director of Events, South Florida

Cohera was born from the merger of 360 Destination Group and CSI DMC and brings together decades of destination management experience under one name. As a company that values innovation, creativity, and excellence, we pride ourselves on utilizing a unique and customized approach to deliver unforgettable events that leave our clients speechless.

We now find ourselves seeking a hospitality-oriented individual with a passion for design and events to be the next Director of Events for our South Florida office! As a member of our rockstar team, you’ll bring to life a variety of corporate events ranging from carnival-themed seminars to Latin nightclub receptions all while collaborating with professionals who are equally as passionate about creating memorable experiences as you!

This is what WE offer YOU...

• A competitive salary based on experience.
• Incentive eligibility based on program size and profitability and achievement of regional/office goals.
• Health insurance coverage including medical, vision, and dental.
• Discretionary PTO for vacation and personal time, paid holidays, and paid sick leave accrued based on hours worked.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Company-paid short term and long term disability insurance coverage.
• Company-paid $50,000 basic life insurance.
• Voluntary life insurance.
• Paid DMCP and/or CMP certification.
• Paid industry memberships.

As DIRECTOR OF EVENTS, you will...

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

You'll stand out from the crowd if you...

• Work as a productive team member, take initiative, act creatively, operate flexibly, and do everything with honesty, integrity, and with a focus on client satisfaction.
• Work well in a fast-paced team environment, work overtime when required, and deliver quality service to our clients.
• Act in a self-starting way, make good independent decisions, and take steps to complete work within time parameters.
• Generate new and innovative ways to improve our company's products and services.
• Recognize essential elements of a challenge and develop creative solutions.
• Are detail-oriented with vendor contracts, invoices, and agreement clauses.
• Respond quickly to changing circumstances and anticipate new developments where possible.
• Act in a forthright way.
• Give and accept feedback constructively.
• Recognize and consider the client’s expectations and needs and have a “do what it takes” mentality.

We are seeking someone with...

• 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.
• 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.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; adaptable to CRM and other software (e.g., Salesforce, Dayforce).
• Computer, phone, copiers, smart phones, tablets and other standard office equipment.

Job Conditions:

The specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is:

• Frequently required to perform administrative and professional work using writing tools and electronic media.
• 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 has recurring work situations involving moderate degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted policies and procedures is high. Errors in judgment and execution will waste time and resources, adversely impacting unit performance. Employees operate independently but work is verified by supervision. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Acknowledgements:

Cohera is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer / Disability / Veteran.