The Southern Company Talent Acquisition - Campus Recruiting organization is seeking to hire a highly professional, energetic, well-organized Conference Manager - National Career Conferences. The ideal candidate would be one who possess a high-level of professionalism, strong creativity skills, a clear understanding of business objectives, and attention to detail that would require the engagement and working alongside key stakeholders. The Conference Manager would be tasked with the strategic planning and organization of conferences, managing vendors, coordinating with external contractors, working with a variety of internal/external organizations, and overseeing all other aspects of the conferences. This person would serve as the key point of contact for any issues or concerns that may arise during and after the event. This person would be responsible for providing real-time executive summary that includes key observations. This position will require travel and on occasion work extended hours.

Core skills of a Conference Manager

Company spokesperson: ability to communicate company strategy, business plan, structure and point of view on key business topics.

• Candidate Relationship Management: establish relationships with candidates/stakeholders through appropriate correspondence.
• Internal/External Client Relationship Management: establish and maintain effective relationships with business leaders through strong consultative skills, expertise of external labor markets and best practice sharing.
• Project Management: ability to plan, organize, track and deliver results by leveraging others and personal initiative.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Build strong relationships with the various line and functional clients to ensure the ability to influence, guide and drive the recruiting process.
• Coordinate with other event managers and staff members to ensure that all aspects of the event are running smoothly.
• Communicate with vendors to ensure that they are aware of any issues or changes that may affect their tasks.
• Must be comfortable managing mid-size to large budgets. You will manage the overall budget for each project, including expenses related to the event such as venue rental fees and catering costs, etc.
• Must be social media savvy.
• Provide technical support to event organizers regarding the planning, implementation, and evaluation of events.
• Prepare detailed schedules for all event activities and managing employees who will be involved in the production of the event.
• Develop and implement a communication plan for the event that includes marketing materials, press outreach, and other publicity efforts.
• Create a detailed agenda for the event, including speakers and performers, topics of discussion, and any special activities.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure that all logistics are in place for the event.
• Conduct initial planning meetings with clients to establish goals for the event and develop a budget estimate and timeline.

Job Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Communications, Business, hospitality or tourism, related discipline preferred. Advanced degree or PMP highly preferred.

Experience Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in one of the following areas: campus recruiting, talent acquisition/human resources, events planning/events space, and/or marketing.
• Recent work experience in a fast-paced environment with high volume transactions and management of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, consult and partner with both external and internal clients.
• Experience working with computer-based tracking systems.
• Experience with any applicant tracking system. Taleo/Oracle HR preferred.
• Previous participation in Campus recruiting events, technical colleges, and community at-large recruiting events.
• Previous project management experience a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate strong business relationships with hiring managers and HR partners in the development of strategies, leveraging market intelligence and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with industry leaders, vendors, and community organizations, with proven ability to effectively network.
• Possess strong problem-solving skills that incorporates the ability of identifying issues and developing resolutions to alleviate challenges
• Demonstrated ability to recruit for a broad range of positions in a high-volume environment.
• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills to properly interface with all levels within the company.
• Effective time management and prioritization skills, resulting in effective and efficient results and outcomes.
• Ability to interpret market trends and adjust recruitment strategies as needed in response to changes in the environment.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills that includes motivating others to achieve a common goal.

Other Attributes

• Must constantly remain focused on personal and job safety as a top priority.
• Demonstrated passion and \"sales\" approach to recruiting.
• Customer focused.
• Self-directed with strong initiative.
• Willingness to do what it takes to deliver results.
• Detail oriented.
• Analytical skills
• Flexible, open to change, and adaptable.
• Respectfully and appropriately challenges the status quo.
• Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Company's values of unquestionable trust, superior performance and total commitment.