Director, Events and Special Programs

The National Grocers Association (NGA) is seeking a highly skilled and detail‑oriented Director of Events and Special Programs to join its team.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, NGA is a leading trade association representing the $250 billion independent supermarket industry. For more than 40 years, NGA has served as the national voice for independent grocers and wholesalers, advocating on behalf of community-focused businesses that play a vital role in neighborhoods across the country. NGA advances the industry through advocacy, education, collaboration, business services, and meaningful industry connections. NGA also supports the industry through its affiliated 501(c)(3), the NGA Foundation.

Position Summary

The Director of Events and Special Programs leads the planning, coordination, and execution of NGA’s meetings, signature programs, and special events. This role oversees the full event lifecycle, from strategic planning through onsite execution and post-event evaluation, ensuring exceptional attendee experiences, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Working closely with NGA’s third-party event consultant and internal teams, the Director serves as the lead project manager for NGA’s signature events, including the NGA Executive Conference and Fly-In for Fair Competition, as well as flagship programs such as the Best Bagger Championship, Creative Choice Awards, NGA Share Groups, and other high-profile initiatives.

Success in this role requires strong project management, cross-functional collaboration, vendor management, financial oversight, and the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for special programs and events aligned with organizational priorities.
• Identify opportunities for innovative events, partnerships, and experiences that drive engagement and visibility.
• Establish goals, KPIs, and success metrics for programs and events.
• Recognize and drive initiatives that elevate brand presence, stakeholder connection, and program performance.
• Define project scope, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and manage event and program budgets, monitor expenses and ensure cost efficiency, and identify revenue opportunities (sponsorships, ticket sales, partnerships).
• Manage relationships with third-party event consultants and external vendors to ensure successful delivery of programs and events.

Event Project Management & Execution

• Lead the planning and execution of conferences, executive meetings, fundraisers, competitions, and industry experiences.
• Manage project phases including monitoring status and recommending actionable solutions for process improvements using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Assess project requirements to develop a strategic direction for program design and execution for events.
• Develop and maintain detailed event project plans, production schedules, and run-of-show documents.

• In partnership with the NGA team, coordinate all logistical components of events, including venue management, catering, audiovisual, transportation, room setups, signage, and materials.
• Conduct post-event evaluations and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure all events are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.

Day-to-Day Event Logistics & Operations

• Oversee daily event planning activities across the organization’s meetings and programs.
• Manage relationships with venues, vendors, and service providers to ensure high-quality execution and cost efficiency.
• Monitor event budgets and track expenses to support financial accountability.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, contracts, and risk management procedures.
• Maintain event planning systems, templates, and operational checklists to support consistency and efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with membership, marketing, education, finance, and leadership teams to align event logistics with program goals and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate with business development staff to ensure timely delivery of sponsor benefits and recognition elements.
• Support internal planning meetings and contribute to strategic discussions related to event growth and attendee engagement.
• Provide guidance and logistical expertise to staff supporting meetings and special programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, business administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7–9 years of experience in meeting and event planning, preferably within an association, nonprofit, or membership organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex events and multi-day conferences.
• Experience overseeing competitions, awards programs, or large-scale event components preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to lead event logistics from planning through execution.
• Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
• Financial management and budget oversight experience.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Proficiency with event management software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly and support onsite event execution, including evenings and weekends as needed.

NGA is an equal opportunity employer offering generous benefits including partial employee paid health and dental insurance, 11 paid holidays and one floating holiday, generous PTO, hybrid work schedule opportunity, and 401(k) eligibility starting on the 1st quarter of the following 6 months of employment.