Director of Meetings, National Women's Studies Association

About the National Women's Studies Association

With nearly 2,000 individual and institutional members worldwide, NWSA has been the leading organization dedicated to advancing feminist scholarship, education, service, and community activism for nearly 30 years. NWSA conducts and disseminates research on graduate programs and trends in women’s and gender studies in addition to hosting an annual conference to highlight the latest issues in feminist scholarship, teaching, and activism. To learn more about the organization, visit www.nwsa.org.

Director of Meetings Position Description

The National Women's Studies Association Director of Meetings is responsible for planning, executing, and oversight of the Association’s existing annual conference, which draws more than 1,000 registrants, and would be expected to develop, plan, execute, and oversee at least one other national gathering annually in accordance with the NWSA strategic plan. The Director of Meetings will also help to develop, plan, execute, and oversee a series of smaller events, including bi-annual Board meetings, the Women of Color Leadership Project, and the Stop Dreaming, Keep Working workshop. The Director of Meetings reports directly to the Executive Director and will work in the College Park, MD office.

She/He will work closely with the Executive Director and the National Conference Chair (a Board position) to:

• Develop the overall direction of national meetings
• Work collaboratively to manage and provide staff support to the appropriate volunteers/members as needed to improve service delivered and ensure a smooth-running operation;
• Coordinate communications with invited speakers and manage conference scheduling;
• Evaluate and analyze meeting functions to ensure effective work processes and meeting operations.

While the exact requirements for each meeting may vary, the Director of Meetings is responsible for recommending site locations, coordinating all meeting details i.e. budget, contract negotiations, service negotiations, and physical arrangements, etc. to ensure memorable, flawlessly executed events.

She/He oversees the development and implementation of an Exhibit Hall, which generates revenue for the National Women's Studies Association. The Director of meetings coordinates the activities related to conference publications, such as the Conference Program Book and in coordination with other national staff members, as needed. She/He ensures the technical and professional direction and assistance is provided to staff and volunteers/members responsible for specific events during national meetings. She/He provides direction for the production of audio-visual and other material needed.

Qualifications :

• At least 2 years of meeting planning experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in Exhibit Hall development and management.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and internet applications required.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and ability to work with diverse groups.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate contracts and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, strategic and tactical planning.
• Demonstrated experience working individually and as part of a team under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in complex shifting environments.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to multi-task.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience with feminist organizations and/or women’s studies a plus.
• Professional C.M.P. designation a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with experience. This is a one-year grant funded position with the possibility of renewal. NWSA offers an employer-matched retirement plan, generous vacation benefits, and the possibility of health insurance.

How to Apply

Submit a resume, a list of three references, and letter of application in which you detail your qualifications for the position. No telephone inquiries, please. All applications and questions should be addressed to nwsaoffice@nwsa.org with the subject line “Director of Meetings.”

Application Deadline: October 31, 2006.

The National Women’s Studies Association is committed to ending racism and all forms of oppression. NWSA does not discriminate on the basis of race and ethnicity, age, gender,