Wounded Warrior Project
Senior Event Planning Specialist - Government & Community Relations
Wounded Warrior Project, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Senior Event Planning Specialist - Government & Community Relations
Join Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a Senior Government & Community Relations Event Planning Specialist. This role leads the end‑to‑end planning and execution of strategic conferences, corporate meetings, and high‑profile events for the Government & Community Relations (GCR) team. Reporting to the Vice President of GCR, you ensure events reflect WWP’s mission, values, and strategic goals while maximizing donor impact through cost‑effective logistics, financial stewardship, and exceptional on‑site coordination. Duties & Responsibilities
Lead the planning and execution of large‑scale, high‑profile GCR events for internal and external stakeholders. Prepare WWP senior leaders for major GCR‑led conferences, meetings, and engagements. Manage event budgets and staffing, ensuring vendor coordination, lodging, transportation, and AV needs while exercising fiscal responsibility. Oversee the development and review of promotional materials to enhance event visibility and awareness. Create and maintain event schedules, timelines, agendas, and activity plans while communicating risks and updates to senior leadership. Provide on‑ground support and coordinate teammates and contract personnel during GCR events. Coordinate vendor management and serve as liaison for VIP guests, vendors, and program participants. Utilize event registration software (Cvent, Salesforce, SurveyMonkey) and emerging technologies to manage registration, budgeting, venue sourcing, and reporting. Collaborate with Travel & Events and other WWP departments to coordinate logistics, travel, and lodging for warriors and teammates. Lead GCR event planning meetings and participate in relevant events and briefings. Maintain accurate records and perform financial reconciliations, invoice processing, and report preparation. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Expert event management knowledge; ability to lead complex, high‑profile events from planning through execution. Strong project management skills; capacity to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines under pressure, and adapt to fast‑paced environments. Excellent organizational and time management skills with flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities and make effective independent decisions. Strong collaboration skills; build productive relationships across diverse internal teams, leadership, and external vendors. Deep understanding of key stakeholders, including the military and veteran community. Exceptional interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and ability to handle sensitive matters with diplomacy and empathy. Strong written and verbal communication skills; facilitate both in‑person and virtual events. Professional presence and ability to represent WWP’s mission and values at major events, conferences, and stakeholder engagements. Strong attention to detail; ensure accuracy and quality across all event deliverables. Experience Requirements
Five years of experience in event planning and management, or a hospitality environment. Three years of experience with event registration and management software (Cvent, Salesforce, SurveyMonkey). Three years of experience negotiating vendor contracts and rates. Experience in government & community relations or similar fields, including events tied to public policy, advocacy, or community outreach. Education & Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in event planning, hospitality, communications, or related field (equivalent education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree). Ability to obtain ASIST Certification within 1 year of hire. Preferred: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Government or Military Protocol Training. Work Environment / Physical Demands
General office environment; temperature controlled. May require lifting/carrying items up to 20 pounds. Up to 10% travel. Benefits
Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program. 401(k) retirement plan and competitive PTO package. Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program, and Bereavement Leave. Equal Employment Opportunity
Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Join Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) as a Senior Government & Community Relations Event Planning Specialist. This role leads the end‑to‑end planning and execution of strategic conferences, corporate meetings, and high‑profile events for the Government & Community Relations (GCR) team. Reporting to the Vice President of GCR, you ensure events reflect WWP’s mission, values, and strategic goals while maximizing donor impact through cost‑effective logistics, financial stewardship, and exceptional on‑site coordination. Duties & Responsibilities
Lead the planning and execution of large‑scale, high‑profile GCR events for internal and external stakeholders. Prepare WWP senior leaders for major GCR‑led conferences, meetings, and engagements. Manage event budgets and staffing, ensuring vendor coordination, lodging, transportation, and AV needs while exercising fiscal responsibility. Oversee the development and review of promotional materials to enhance event visibility and awareness. Create and maintain event schedules, timelines, agendas, and activity plans while communicating risks and updates to senior leadership. Provide on‑ground support and coordinate teammates and contract personnel during GCR events. Coordinate vendor management and serve as liaison for VIP guests, vendors, and program participants. Utilize event registration software (Cvent, Salesforce, SurveyMonkey) and emerging technologies to manage registration, budgeting, venue sourcing, and reporting. Collaborate with Travel & Events and other WWP departments to coordinate logistics, travel, and lodging for warriors and teammates. Lead GCR event planning meetings and participate in relevant events and briefings. Maintain accurate records and perform financial reconciliations, invoice processing, and report preparation. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Expert event management knowledge; ability to lead complex, high‑profile events from planning through execution. Strong project management skills; capacity to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines under pressure, and adapt to fast‑paced environments. Excellent organizational and time management skills with flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities and make effective independent decisions. Strong collaboration skills; build productive relationships across diverse internal teams, leadership, and external vendors. Deep understanding of key stakeholders, including the military and veteran community. Exceptional interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and ability to handle sensitive matters with diplomacy and empathy. Strong written and verbal communication skills; facilitate both in‑person and virtual events. Professional presence and ability to represent WWP’s mission and values at major events, conferences, and stakeholder engagements. Strong attention to detail; ensure accuracy and quality across all event deliverables. Experience Requirements
Five years of experience in event planning and management, or a hospitality environment. Three years of experience with event registration and management software (Cvent, Salesforce, SurveyMonkey). Three years of experience negotiating vendor contracts and rates. Experience in government & community relations or similar fields, including events tied to public policy, advocacy, or community outreach. Education & Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in event planning, hospitality, communications, or related field (equivalent education, training, certification, and experience may be considered in lieu of degree). Ability to obtain ASIST Certification within 1 year of hire. Preferred: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Government or Military Protocol Training. Work Environment / Physical Demands
General office environment; temperature controlled. May require lifting/carrying items up to 20 pounds. Up to 10% travel. Benefits
Medical/Prescription drug, Dental, Vision, Life/AD&D, Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program. 401(k) retirement plan and competitive PTO package. Sick Leave, Family Care Leave, Paid Holidays, Birthday Holiday, Education Assistance, Teammate Wellness Program, and Bereavement Leave. Equal Employment Opportunity
Wounded Warrior Project® is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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