Director of Events

About the role The Director of Events is a strategic and operational leader responsible for the end-to-end planning, production, and execution of Nerdio's corporate event portfolio. This includes flagship external first-party events such as NerdioCon, large third-party events like Microsoft Ignite, as well as key internal company events including our full Company Meeting and President’s Club. The Director of Events will serve as the company's event visionary, translating brand strategy and company positioning into memorable, high-impact experiences for customers, partners, employees, and executives that drive pipeline and brand loyalty. This role requires a rare combination of creative vision, operational precision, cross-functional collaboration, and executive presence. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, manages complexity with composure, and sets a high bar for attendee experience at every touchpoint. They are also an early adopter of AI, using it to streamline planning, personalize attendee experiences, and scale the events function without scaling headcount. This person will manage both an internal employee who oversees our key internal events and select corporate events (Corporate Events Manager) as well as several vendors.  What you'll do Flagship Events  Own end-to-end strategy, execution, and budget for the annual customer & partner conference (NerdioCon) and our largest third-party conference (Microsoft Ignite)  Design and deliver the annual sales incentive trip (President’s Club), partnering with Sales leadership   Provide strategic oversight and ensure flawless execution of our company-wide All-Hands Meeting  Serve as reference and provide oversight for key internal Leadership & Executive Offsites, as well as large Employee Engagement Events; step in directly for high-sensitivity executive programs  Event Operations & Infrastructure  Develop standardized processes, templates, and toolkits for event planning and execution that can be used across the organization  Own the events technology stack (registration, mobile apps, event management platforms, virtual/hybrid tools)  Identify and deploy AI tools across the events workflow — content creation, agenda and logistics planning, attendee personalization, and post-event analysis — to improve speed, quality, and ROI  Establish and track KPIs for event ROI, attendee satisfaction, NPS, and lead generation for corporate events  Manage post-event reporting and debrief processes to drive continuous improvement for corporate events  Budget & Vendor Management  Develop and manage the consolidated events budget across all internal and external corporate events  Lead RFP processes and contract negotiations with venues, AV companies, caterers, event agencies, and travel partners  Ensure compliance with procurement and legal requirements for vendor agreements  Identify cost efficiencies without compromising attendee experience   Cross-Functional Leadership  Serve as the primary events liaison to Sales, Product, HR, Finance, and the Executive team for corporate events  Partner with Demand Generation to ensure events drive measurable pipeline contribution  Collaborate with Content and Creative teams on event branding, signage, videos, and promotional materials  Brief and align executive stakeholders on event strategy, timelines, and status throughout the planning cycle  Team & Agency Management  Lead and develop a high-performing events team, including the Corporate Events Manager (a direct report who supports internal company events and select corporate events) and additional internal staff and/or agencies and contractors  Source, onboard, and manage external event agencies and production partners as needed  Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and creativity within the events function  Required Qualifications 8+ years of progressive event management experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or director-level role  Proven track record managing large-scale user conferences (1,000+ attendees, and $4M+ budgets) and trade shows   Experience with incentive travel and President's Club-style programs  Demonstrated expertise managing internal corporate events including all-hands and executive offsites  Strong budget management skills with experience owning event P&L  Exceptional project management abilities — able to manage multiple complex events simultaneously  Excellent vendor negotiation and contract management experience  Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; executive presence  Comfortable with ambiguity, fast timelines, and shifting priorities  Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%, including nights and weekends during events  Preferred Qualifications Experience in B2B SaaS, cloud technology, or Microsoft ecosystem companies  Background working with partner/channel communities and channel-focused events  Proficiency with event technology platforms, specifically Cvent   CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation or equivalent certification  Experience managing hybrid and virtual event formats  Hands-on experience using AI tools to enhance event planning, marketing, or operations  Agency management experience  Benefits and Incentives Competitive Base and Incentive Plan Stock Options Health and Welfare Plans* Life and Disability Plans* Retirement Plan* Unlimited Flexible Paid Time Off, including your birthday off! Collaborative Team Culture * Benefits for international employees, outside the US, vary by country.  Nerdio is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Nerdio is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.