Director, Events & Operations

Position Overview

Autodesk is seeking a Director, Event Operations to lead the operational strategy, governance, and delivery model that powers Autodesk’s most visible customer, partner, employee, and executive experiences. This role establishes the operational foundation that enables Autodesk’s strategic events portfolio to scale efficiently, execute consistently, and deliver exceptional experiences. From flagship customer conferences and executive programs to employee events, incentive experiences, and future strategic initiatives, this leader ensures operational excellence across the entire event ecosystem.

• Define and evolve Autodesk’s event operations strategy, operating model, standards, and governance framework across the strategic events portfolio.
• Establish scalable operational processes, playbooks, and delivery models that create consistency across flagship events, executive programs, and future experiences.
• Partner with program leads to translate business objectives into executable operational plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and drive operational excellence across programs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Events & Experiences leadership on operational priorities, risks, resource allocation, and organizational effectiveness.

• Oversee operational planning and execution across Autodesk’s strategic event portfolio.
• Establish program governance models, readiness reviews, decision frameworks, escalation paths, and operating rhythms.
• Lead portfolio-level planning efforts including master timelines, critical path management, dependency tracking, and milestone governance.
• Ensure operational consistency across venue strategy, registration operations, housing, transportation, food and beverage, staffing, production operations, executive experiences, and attendee services.
• Drive continuous improvement through post‑event reviews, lessons learned, benchmarking, and operational maturity assessments.

• Own Autodesk’s event operations vendor ecosystem, including agency partners, production vendors, housing providers, transportation partners, staffing agencies, destination management companies, and operational suppliers.
• Lead vendor selection strategies, RFP processes, contract negotiations, and supplier evaluations.
• Identify opportunities for consolidation, standardization, preferred partnerships, and cost savings.
• Establish performance standards, service‑level expectations, and accountability frameworks for vendor partners.
• Partner with Procurement and Legal to negotiate favorable commercial terms, concessions, rebates, and risk protections.

• Oversee operational budget planning and financial management across Autodesk’s strategic events portfolio.
• Establish forecasting models, budget governance processes, and financial reporting standards.
• Identify efficiencies, cost‑optimization opportunities, and investment recommendations.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of company resources while maintaining exceptional attendee experiences.
• Partner with Finance and leadership teams on funding strategies, business cases, and investment decisions.
• Monitor portfolio financial performance and provide executive‑level reporting and recommendations.

• Establish operational risk‑management frameworks across all strategic events.
• Work closely with Security, Legal, Risk Management, Travel, and executive stakeholders to ensure appropriate planning and mitigation strategies.
• Lead contingency planning, crisis management preparation, and business continuity efforts.
• Ensure operational readiness through structured reviews, testing, and validation processes.
• Create scalable frameworks for health, safety, accessibility, compliance, and duty‑of‑care requirements.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of event operations professionals.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, operating rhythms, and development plans across the organization.
• Create a culture of…