Regional Director, Middle East North Africa

The Regional Director for Middle East North Africa (MENA) has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of member programs and events in the MENA region. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, this role oversees the team based out of the Middle East North Africa office.

Overall responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Strategic planning / scheduling / budgeting for the MENA region
• Membership recruitment and retention including development and management of member services
• Coordinating the MENA safety program including the MENA Ride and Water Park Safety Reports
• Establishing education strategy and program delivery and execution in MENA (webinars, live chats, in-person and virtual conferences, educational tours, and the IAAPA Expo Middle East education conference)
• Directing strategy for all regional events in MENA and IAAPA Expo Middle East, including execution oversight for all marketing, educational programming, and MENA signature events Partnering with the Global Director of Sponsorship Sales on sponsorship program for events and programs in MENA
• Leading the IAAPA MENA team to develop and execute the event strategy for all events in the region to ensure meet member satisfaction and relevant financial objectives. These responsibilities include site visits and venue selection, location and vendor negotiation, budget/P&L development and management, pricing, event logistics oversight, creative concept development, execution, and post-event evaluation. The Regional Director also presents the plans to senior management, committees, and the board for input and approval
• Selecting, hiring, and managing the MENA team members
• Managing team member engagement survey feedback and creating action plans to strengthen the team
• Planning, formulating, and recommending policies and programs to meet the goals and objectives for IAAPA in MENA
• Stakeholder management of members and other relevant bodies in the region
• Developing budget for the region and managing finances in accordance with IAAPA standards and policies
• Partnering with the VP, Global Marketing/Communications/Membership, to oversee marketing and communications strategy and execution in MENA
• Developing Public Affairs strategy incl. coordination and meetings with public officials
• Serving as a press spokesperson (with support from the director of global communications) on issues related to regional IAAPA members, events, and activities
• Representing the association at industry-related meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and social events
• Managing the activities of the MENA office in accordance with IAAPA standards and policies
• Supporting the goals, mission, vision, and core values of IAAPA as set forth in the strategic and business plans
• Providing input for and guiding the VP for Research director in the preparation, review, and verification of research and data collection projects related to the industry and IAAPA. This includes assisting with promoting the projects within the industry and following up to enhance member participation
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• 10+ years of sales and marketing, association management, and/or business management
• Attractions industry experience is required
• Exhibition/trade show experience preferred
• Member service oriented
• Excellent communications and presentation skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Proven team leader; ability to build and develop team members
• Ability to travel extensively throughout Middle East and globally