At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Event Strategy & Design
- Serve as a creative resource by generating fresh ideas, innovative formats, and strategic recommendations that enhance meeting and event impact.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to help translate business objectives into memorable event experiences that align with business goals, brand, target audience and culture.
- Advise executives and internal leaders of event feasibility and budgeting.
- Maintain awareness of industry trends and best practices to continuously improve event design and participant engagement.
- Be a knowledgeable resource for travel, restaurants, transportation, hotels, etc. in Milwaukee and other major locations where the company is located and does business.
Planning & Execution
- Lead and collaborate on end-to-end planning of offsite meetings, conferences, and special events.
- Lead event concept development, themes, formats and programming.
- Manage event timelines, workflows, and milestones to ensure seamless execution and high-quality participant experiences.
- Manage complex logistics, including venue procurement, transportation, accommodations and production timelines, which may include coordinating or booking air travel, ground transportation and related arrangements.
- Manage and maintain accurate rooming lists, ensuring timely updates, special requests and alignment with hotel and vendor requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for hotels on room block management, changes and forecasting.
- Design and manage attendee activity sign-ups, excursions, or optional event experiences, ensuring a seamless registration and communication process.
- Develop creative approaches to engage participants through well-organized activities, excursions or break out sessions.
- Collaborate with the broader team to ensure all travel, lodging and activity programming aligns with overall event goals.
- Coordinate with internal cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, executive leadership, legal and HR)
Vendor & Contract Management
- Recommend, source, vet, and manage high-level vendors (venue, AV, décor, catering, entertainment, security, production teams).
- Negotiate contracts with hotels, venues, and third-party vendors to secure favorable terms, cost savings, and risk mitigation for the company.
- Establish and maintain strong vendor relationships, ensuring delivery of agreed-upon services and standards.
- Oversee budgets and payments, review invoices, and execute financial reconciliations to maintain fiscal responsibility across all events.
On-Site & Virtual Delivery
- Provide on-site management, overseeing event logistics, vendor performance, and attendee needs.
- Ensure cohesive attendee experience, from registration flows to post-event engagement.
- Oversee run-of-show detailed timelines and full event execution.
- Coordinate with technical providers to deliver hybrid and virtual event experiences if need, that meet accessibility, quality, and engagement standards.
- Act as the primary point of contact during events to ensure flawless execution and swift problem resolution.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with business leaders, communications, and travel to ensure alignment of event objectives and outcomes.
- Provide regular updates, post-event reports, and recommendations to stakeholders, highlighting successes and opportunities for improvement.
- Build strong relationships across the organization, acting as a trusted advisor on meeting and event planning best practices.
EXPERIENCE
- 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in corporate meetings, events, or hospitality management.
- Prior experience mentoring junior staff or leading vendors a plus.
- GDS experience a plus.
- Strong strategic thinking and the ability to align events with business objectives.
- Demonstrated vendor and budget management expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., working with executives, cross-functional partners).
- Emerging leadership competencies: problem-solving, decision-making, delegation, and the ability to influence without formal authority.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, communications, or related field required.
- CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) preferred — or willingness to earn certification within the first 2–3 years.
- Participation in industry organizations (MPI, PCMA) is a plus
What We Offer
At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:
Health & Well-being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.
Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing.
Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year.
Join us and build a career where you’re supported – at work and beyond.
Rite-Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.