SENIOR CONFERENCE MANAGER

OFFICE OF CONFERENCE, MEETING AND EVENT MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

The Senior Conference Manager serves as the operational lead for SkillsUSA’s national events, driving the year-round planning, logistics, and execution of the National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) and other key programs, including Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI), the State Director Conference, board meetings, and strategic organizational events.

At the heart of this role is NLSC, the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate celebration of excellence in career and technical education. Hosted each June in Atlanta, this dynamic, week-long city-wide conference brings together 19,000+ attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators, and more.

The Senior Conference Manager owns the master NLSC conference schedule, orchestrating operations across multiple large-scale venues, maximizing space utilization, eliminating conflicts, and ensuring seamless execution of every experience touchpoint. This position works cross-functionally with internal teams, vendors, venue partners, and external stakeholders to deliver complex programs with precision, creativity, and excellence.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-driven hospitality professional who thrives in fast-paced environments, communicates with confidence and clarity, and brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset to every challenge.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality, event management, business, communications, or a related field is strongly preferred, though an equivalent combination of education and professional experience will be considered. Industry certifications such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) are preferred.

Candidates should have at least five years of experience leading logistics for large, multi-day conferences or events, with proven expertise in areas such as AV coordination, catering, transportation, and vendor management. Experience with event technology platforms (e.g., Airtable, mobile apps) and supervising on-site event staff is strongly preferred. Experience within associations, nonprofits, or membership-based organizations is highly desirable.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC)

• Own and maintain the NLSC master conference schedule, ensuring all events, programs, and meetings are accurately documented and aligned.
• Optimize facility usage to eliminate room conflicts, reduce room-turn fees, and strategically manage space throughout the convention center and off-site venues.
• Serve as the primary consultant to internal program and event managers, coordinating room configuration, security, AV, utilities, catering, signage needs, and other logistical requirements.
• Lead on-site logistics operations and manage the contracted NLSC logistics support team, including travel coordination, schedules, role assignments, and daily briefings.
• Manage suite assignments and general session seating charts at State Farm Arena.
• Oversee conference systems: manage database setup and training, dispatch communications, mobile app schedule upload, NLSC State Director Information Hub updates, and microsite content updates/releases.
• Track and process vendor invoices, stipends, and expense coding to ensure accurate financial reconciliation.
• Participate in pre-conference planning and all post-conference debriefs focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Conference, Meeting and Event Management – Strategic Partner

• Serve as lead logistics planner for SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI), State Director Conference, Technical Committee Chair Meeting (NTC), board of Directors meetings, national officer training, and other key SkillsUSA functions.
• Manage event logistics, including room assignments/layouts, audio-visual needs, catering and meal selection, transportation coordination (airport shuttles, buses, etc.), and off-site programming or receptions.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure event elements align with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.
• Support special projects or additional event functions.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support special projects or additional event functions.
• Other duties as assigned by SkillsUSA's Office of Conference Meeting and Event Management

OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Required to attend the annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) and the Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI)
• Requires approximately 15% of time to travel.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director, Office of Conference, Meeting and Event Management

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: This position does not have supervisory authority but does manage external contractors for specific short-term projects.

SkillsUSA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law. At SkillsUSA, we are building a culture where difference is valued, and we are committed to constructing a team that represents a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.