Position Summary
The events manager would report to the vice president of member relations but will work closely with all members of the OBI team. The events manager will oversee a variety of events at OBI. Examples include, but are not limited to: OBI’s annual signature events (the Oregon Economic Summit and the Vision Oregon Event); specific policy-focused events and summits (ex: OBI Energy Summit, Legislative Session Preview, topic-specific roundtables); smaller series events (ex: Oregon Leadership Academy, Executive Forum); webinars and educational forums; events associated with affiliates, such as the OBI Foundation or OBI PAC (ex: Manufacturing & Innovation Roadshow); and miscellaneous one-off events that arise to support members, the team or the mission more broadly.
The events manager must be strategic, creative, collaborative, organized and responsible. They must be able to solve problems, identify new opportunities, execute projects and maintain timelines and detail orientation.
The events manager must be comfortable representing OBI in a variety of settings, working with a variety of stakeholders and conducting work both collaboratively and independently.
Responsibilities and Duties
In addition to the examples offered above, the following is an illustrative, not exhaustive, list of responsibilities and duties for the project manager:
- Manage vendor relationships, logistics, timelines and other tasks associated with planning and executing OBI’s events.
- Work with OBI team members on programming, content generation and strategic planning to create, design, plan and execute events.
- Collaborate with OBI team members on interdisciplinary aspects of event management such as registration platforms, web and collateral development, member relations, policy development or education, compliance and accounting.
- Coordinate specific externally focused educational events such as, but not limited to, issue specific policy summits, targeted webinars or others as assigned.
- Manage specific events and projects arising from OBI’s partnership with affiliated entities including, but not limited to, the OBI Research and Education Foundation (for example, the Manufacturing & Innovation Roadshow or the Coolest Thing Made in Oregon competition).
- Coordinate with and support OBI’s communications team to ensure creative, effective and timely dissemination of event information, event presentation details and other relevant collateral and messaging tools.
- Proactively ideate possible additional events that support OBI’s mission and membership.
- Monitor resources offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of State Chambers and other local and regional organizations that may provide best practices, new ideas, opportunities for partnership, programming resources, etc.
- Other projects and duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Proven track record of project or events management.
- Keen attention to detail, strong organizational skills and an ability to multi-task and prioritize work assignments.
- Ability to manage coalitions, teams and stakeholder relationships.
- Minimum of four years of relevant experience.
- Proficiency with commonly used technology platforms, such as the Microsoft Office suite of products, Zoom and Canva.
Position Location
OBI has offices in both Salem and Portland. The events manager will be based at the Portland office, though an applicant wishing to be based in Salem should still apply. There is an opportunity for partial hybrid/remote work at the discretion of the vice president for member relations pursuant to OBI’s workplace policies and when work needs and schedules allow. Minimal travel may be required to attend meetings and events. Portland-based employees are required to be in Salem occasionally and vice versa.
