Conference and Events Manager

Conference and Events Manager Location Remote in Oak Park, IL :

Manager, Conference and Events

Location: Remote U.S/Canada

Department: Curriculum and Learning Programs

Employment Type: [FT]

Minimum Experience: [Experienced, Manager/Supervisor]

About Us

The mission of the IFS Institute (“IFSI”) is to bring more Self leadership to the world. IFS (Internal Family Systems) is a transformative, evidence-based psychotherapy, based on the view that the mind is naturally multiple and that we all have a core Self that can't be damaged and that knows how to heal.

The IFS Institute provides training for professionals and organizations globally, an annual conference, a practitioner directory for those looking for IFS trained providers, and a growing number of online courses, books, and other resources.

Our goal is to create learning environments and a community that teach and support the internal welcoming of parts that have been exiled, shamed, or marginalized within our systems so that they may be seen, heard, valued, and ultimately healed. Building and supporting a diverse workforce is foundational to this goal and we are a committed equal opportunity employer. To learn more about our growing organization, view a few of our introductory IFS videos.

Position Summary

This role reports to the Director, Strategic Curriculum and will lead the planning and execution of the IFSI annual conference (virtual and in-person) and other events that bring together professionals, practitioners, and individuals interested in IFS. The annual conference will be held virtually in October 2024, with over 2,000 attendees expected. In 2025 the conference will be in-person, with over 800 attendees expected. This flagship event brings together a community of mental health professionals for networking and learning. In addition to responsibility for the annual conference, you will also manage smaller learning events throughout the year. We anticipate this role's responsibilities expanding as the demand for IFS training continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the conference program development including call for presentations and review process, keynote speeches, non-clinical programming, and overall event schedule.
• Manage registration systems and processes for both presenters and attendees, which includes developing and maintaining the online registration portal.
• Supervise the conference registration process, working with our Customer Success Team to ensure a seamless experience for attendees.
• Oversee event logistical aspects, including venue selection, catering, audio-visual requirements, and event materials including name badge creation and registration packets.
• Manage the Continuing Education process, ensuring all conference sessions meet the requirements for approval of Continuing Education (CE) credit for mental health accreditation.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create promotional materials, including brochures, social media content, and email campaigns.
• Implement strategies to enhance attendee engagement and satisfaction.
• Develop and manage budgets for conferences and events.
• Monitor expenses, negotiate contracts, and seek cost-effective solutions.
• Create opportunities and actively solicit Conference sponsors.
• Oversee the coordination of conference volunteers and manage the staffing process.
• Collect and analyze feedback from attendees to continuously improve future events.
• Facilitate attendee communication throughout the conference lifecycle, including pre, during, and post-event phases. Manage the distribution of attendance certificates and follow up with presenters.
• Prepare post-event reports for stakeholders, including IFSI leadership and oversee the distribution of presenter evaluations.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excels at working in a fast paced, results oriented, community environment.
• Strong event design experience, with knowledge of the latest innovations and strategies in session formats to maximize the adult learning experience at virtual and in-person conferences.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 5-7 years of experience in conference planning and execution (for events with at least 800 attendees)
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Digital Events Strategist (DES), or other meeting industry certification preferred.
• Familiarity with mental health or therapy-related fields including professional development and continuing education requirements for mental health professionals is a plus.
• Experience with event management systems (Cadmium, Cvent)
• Experience working with videoconferencing tools (MS Teams, Zoom), online platforms and management systems as well as MS Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook)