Director, Events & Experiences Operations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Develop and enhance Autodesk’s event operations strategy, operational model, standards, and governance framework for the strategic events portfolio.

• Create scalable operational processes, playbooks, and delivery models that ensure consistency across flagship events, executive programs, and future experiences.

• Collaborate with program leads to convert business objectives into actionable operational plans.

• Discover opportunities to enhance efficiency, minimize duplication, and promote operational excellence across programs.

• Act as a strategic advisor to the Events & Experiences leadership on operational priorities, risks, resource allocation, and organizational effectiveness.

• Supervise operational planning and execution for Autodesk’s strategic event portfolio.

• Set up program governance models, readiness reviews, decision frameworks, escalation paths, and operational rhythms.

• Lead portfolio-level planning initiatives including master timelines, critical path management, dependency tracking, and milestone governance.

• Ensure operational consistency in venue strategy, registration operations, housing, transportation, food and beverage, staffing, production operations, executive experiences, and attendee services.

• Propel continuous improvement through post-event evaluations, lessons learned assessments, benchmarking, and operational maturity evaluations.

• Manage Autodesk’s event operations vendor ecosystem, which includes agency partners, production vendors, housing providers, transportation partners, staffing agencies, destination management companies, and operational suppliers.

• Direct vendor selection strategies, RFP processes, contract negotiations, and supplier evaluations.

• Identify opportunities for consolidation, standardization, preferred partnerships, and cost reductions.

• Establish performance standards, service-level expectations, and accountability frameworks for vendor partners.

• Collaborate with Procurement and Legal to negotiate advantageous commercial terms, concessions, rebates, and risk protections.

• Oversee operational budget planning and financial management for Autodesk’s strategic events portfolio.

• Develop forecasting models, budget governance processes, and financial reporting standards.

• Identify efficiencies, cost-saving opportunities, and investment suggestions.

• Ensure responsible management of company resources while delivering exceptional attendee experiences.

• Work with Finance and leadership teams on funding strategies, business cases, and investment decisions.

• Monitor portfolio financial performance and provide executive-level reporting and recommendations.

• Establish operational risk management frameworks for all strategic events.

• Collaborate closely with Security, Legal, Risk Management, Travel, and executive stakeholders to ensure appropriate planning and mitigation strategies.

• Lead contingency planning, crisis management preparation, and business continuity initiatives.

• Ensure operational readiness across all programs through structured reviews, testing, and validation processes.

• Create scalable frameworks for health, safety, accessibility, compliance, and duty-of-care requirements.

• Lead, mentor, and cultivate a high-performing team of event operations professionals.

• Define clear roles, responsibilities, operating rhythms, and development plans throughout the organization.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Drive workforce planning, contractor strategy, resource allocation, and organizational scalability.

• Encourage an environment where teams can act swiftly, resolve issues effectively, and deliver outstanding work without unnecessary complexity.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on operational strategy, event investments, risks, and execution planning.

• Facilitate executive briefings, operational reviews, and decision-making forums.

• Present recommendations, trade-offs, risks, and opportunities with clarity and confidence.

• Build strong cross-functional relationships across Marketing, Sales, Customer Success, Finance, IT, Security, Procurement, and executive offices.

• Represent Event Operations in executive planning forums, steering committees, and organizational initiatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• 10–15+ years of experience leading large-scale event operations, experiential marketing operations, or enterprise program delivery.

• Background in overseeing complex event portfolios including customer conferences, executive programs, sales meetings, incentive experiences, and employee events.

• Proven experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and ensuring financial accountability.

• Extensive knowledge of venue strategy, operational planning, supplier management, and large-scale event execution.

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and influencing executive stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex vendor ecosystems and negotiate commercial agreements.

• Strong understanding of operational governance, risk management, and organizational effectiveness.

• Experience supporting high-profile events with significant executive visibility and business impact.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health and financial benefits.

• Time away.

• Everyday wellness.