Job description
Our team at CDO Magazine is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on VP of Events who will not only lead and inspire our team of Program Directors and Event Managers, but also actively engage in the detailed planning and execution of our premier events. This pivotal role is responsible for overseeing the strategic development, execution, and expansion of our global portfolio of executive-level data, analytics, and AI events and communities.
Reporting directly to the GM & EVP of CDO Magazine, Bill Gannon, you will guide a high-performing team to cultivate robust executive relationships, drive exceptional event experiences, and significantly contribute to CDO Magazine’s growth objectives. You will ensure consistent excellence in program delivery, optimize team performance, and innovate our event formats to meet evolving community needs and sponsor expectations.
This is a remote position and can be based anywhere within the United States.
Key Responsibilities
Event Execution & Program Oversight:
- Execute the strategic vision for CDO Magazine’s global event programs, aligning with overall company objectives for community growth, engagement, and revenue targets.
- Oversee our primary events portfolio, ensuring high-quality and impactful programs, strong attendance, effective community engagement, and seamless execution across all in-person and virtual events. Please note that in addition to overseeing strategic direction, this role will regularly dive into the operational nuances of events to ensure flawless execution.
- Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and attendee/sponsor feedback to identify new opportunities and inform future program development and innovation.
- Develop and implement detailed standardized operational and planning best practices for program management, community building, and event execution across the team.
- Develop, prioritize, and test innovations in our event programs with a keen eye on attendee experience, financial impact, and scalability.
- Identify and spearhead process improvements to enhance consistency and quality, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize resource allocation.
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, mentor, and coach a team of Program Directors and Event Operations Managers, fostering a high performance culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, conduct performance reviews, and support the professional growth and career development of team members.
- Delegate effectively, empowering your team to take ownership and solve problems, while providing guidance and support as needed.
- Drive team accountability for achieving individual and collective goals related to event success metrics, community engagement, and planning milestones .
Financial Management & Performance Optimization:
- Manage the overall budget for event programs, ensuring cost-effectiveness and maximizing return on investment.
- Oversee all business operations related to events, including budgeting, forecasting, vendor negotiations, and contract management to drive efficiency and profitability.
- Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance metrics for all events and communities, including revenue, margin, member engagement, attendance, speaker participation, and sales leads generated.
- Identify opportunities to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall attendee and sponsor experience.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:
- Serve as a key liaison between the Event Programs team and other internal departments, including Sales, Content, Marketing, and Operations, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment on all event objectives.
- Collaborate closely with Sales leadership to develop and execute against strategies that maximize sponsor satisfaction and renewal, cultivate partner relationships, and achieve ambitious revenue and margin targets for events.
- Work with Content teams to ensure event agendas are peer-driven, highly relevant, and engaging for our executive audience.
- Act as an escalation point for complex community or event-related challenges, guiding the team to effective resolutions.
What You Bring
- 7+ years of progressive experience in event management with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing a team. Experience with events with c-suite executives and others in data, analytics, or AI sectors is a plus.
- Proven track record of operational excellence, attention to every detail, successfully leading teams to execute high-stakes, executive-level events (both in-person and virtual) and build thriving professional communities.
- Exceptional hands-on leadership and people management skills, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and inspire a diverse team to achieve ambitious goals.
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with a meticulous approach to planning and execution.
- Strong tactical execution and problem-solving abilities, with experience translating business objectives into actionable program strategies.
- Excellent financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and driving revenue targets.
- Superior communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, capable of engaging effectively with C-level executives, sponsors, internal stakeholders, and team members.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving remote work environment, managing multiple priorities and complex projects simultaneously.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed for in-person events (approximately 12-15 times per year or more, as required by event schedule).
About Us
About Data Society Group:
At Data Society Group, we provide the highest quality, leading-edge, industry-tailored data and AI training and solutions for Fortune 1,000 companies and federal, state, and local governmental organizations. We partner with our clients to educate, equip, and empower their workforces with the skills they need to achieve their goals and expand their impact. Our portfolio sits at the intersection of people, data, and AI and includes:
- CDO Magazine, the trusted voice of global data and AI leadership
- The Data Lodge, a pioneer in data literacy and cultural transformation
- Data Society, delivering applied AI education and custom-built solutions
- InspiredMinds!, a convening force behind the world’s most inclusive AI community
About CDO Magazine:
CDO Magazine is the premier global digital publication and community serving executives in strategic data, analytics, and AI leadership roles. Our passion is to develop and serve communities that are “for data leaders, by data leaders,” fostering success and innovation through peer-to-peer support. We provide content and host events worldwide where the best ideas, innovations, companies, and leaders are celebrated. We are rapidly expanding our global forums, connecting top executives from leading organizations to share insights, develop strategies, and grow both professionally and organizationally.
Why Join CDO Magazine?
This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a rapidly growing global community. As a leader at CDO Magazine, your strategic vision and leadership will be instrumental in expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and solidifying our position as the premier voice for data leaders worldwide. Join a forward-thinking, well-funded organization where your contributions will directly influence the success and innovation of industries powered by data.
