Director of Content and Events

Company Description The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), founded in 1912, serves as the unified voice of the seaport industry across the Americas. AAPA supports port authorities, maritime partners, and service providers in delivering economic and social value to their communities. Through its programs, resources, and partnerships, AAPA connects and informs seaport leaders and maritime professionals across all segments of the industry. The association focuses on advancing prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and provides strong advocacy and public outreach on critical public policy issues for its U.S. members. AAPA is recognized as a key convener and thought leader in the maritime and port sector. Role Description The Director of Content and Events is a full-time hybrid role based in Washington, DC, and is a strategic leadership role responsible for the integrated planning, content, and session development, and execution of the Association's event portfolio and content strategy. This position ensures that all conferences, programs, and associated communications deliver high-quality, relevant, and engaging experiences that advance the organization's mission, strengthen member value, and drive revenue growth. This role bridges event execution with thought leadership, while overseeing program content development, speaker strategy, and content creation across conferences, digital platforms, and member communications. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive content and events strategy aligned with the Association's strategic plan and revenue goals across its events Identify and research trends and member needs to shape programming, educational offerings, and thought leadership initiatives Partner with executive leadership to position the Association as a leading voice in the industry Event Strategy & Execution Oversee planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Association's conferences, seminars, and events Ensure high-quality, seamless event experiences across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats Provide strategic oversight of logistics, vendor relationships, and event production, building on established practices with their third-party event logistics vendor Monitor event budgets, ensuring financial targets are met, and resources are used efficiently Lead post-event evaluations and implement improvements based on data and feedback Content Development & Programming Own the development of event agendas, session topics, and speaker lineups in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners Ensure consistent, high-quality content across conferences, webinars, and digital channels Oversee speaker recruitment, communication, and preparation to ensure impactful delivery Align content with key industry issues, advocacy priorities, and member interests Collaborate with AAPA's Government Relations and Membership teams to source relevant industry speakers and topics Marketing & Communications Integration Partner with marketing/communications to align event promotion with broader campaigns Oversee the creation of content assets supporting events, including agendas, presentations, digital content, and promotional materials for social media speaker promotion Ensure consistent messaging, branding, and storytelling across all channels Team Leadership & Collaboration Lead, mentor, and manage contractors supporting event logistics Foster cross-functional collaboration across departments Serve as a key liaison between program teams and event execution teams Revenue & Growth Support revenue generation through event attendance, sponsorship opportunities, and content-driven engagement Collaborate with business development to align programming with sponsorship and partnership opportunities Identify new program formats, content offerings, and event concepts to expand variety, reach, and impact Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement Establish and track key performance metrics for events and content (attendance, engagement, revenue, satisfaction) Analyze feedback and data to inform strategy and enhance future programming Report regularly to senior leadership on performance, trends, and opportunities Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business, nonprofit management, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree 5+ years of progressive experience in event management, content production strategy, or a related role within a trade association or nonprofit Proven experience leading large-scale conferences and developing high-quality programming for events with 250+ attendees, including marquee keynote productions Strong strategic thinking with the ability to execute effectively and manage multiple complex projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, relationship-building, and managing up Data-driven mindset with strong analytical skills and attention to detail Experience managing budgets and driving revenue growth through events or programs Excellent leadership, project management, planning, and organizational skills Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Highly collaborative, adaptable, and able to work effectively across teams Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, and virtual meeting platforms Strong understanding of content development, audience engagement, and marketing integration

Bonus:

Experience in maritime, seaports, or government sectors Additional Requirements Ability to travel for events and site visits (approximately 6-10 times per year) Flexibility to work evenings or weekends as needed during event season This job description may vary depending on the specific needs and priorities of the organization.

Pay:

$95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): How many years of experience do you have in overseeing Events and/or Event Content? Are you willing to undergo a background check, in accordance with local law/regulations? Ability to

Commute:

Washington, DC 20024 (Required)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20024