Strategy and Events Specialist

Purpose:

The Strategy, Innovation & Digital (SI&D) Department serves as a Trusted Advisor and Champion of American Modern’s strategic initiatives and drives the Innovation & Digital agenda. 

The Strategy & Events Specialist position reports directly to the VP of SI&D at American Modern and is part of the SI&D team. The position supports the monitoring, communication and execution of our corporate strategy, as well as planning and coordinating corporate events and community impact initiatives in alignment with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals.

As part of the Strategy function, this role works closely with the Strategy Director to monitor and report on progress toward achieving both our long-term strategic outcomes and shorter term goals; assist with internally and externally focused projects; and create content to communicate our corporate strategy to various internal stakeholder groups.

To ensure the culture at American Modern reflects our Corporate Social Responsibility goals and objectives, this role is responsible for coordinating, planning, executing and evaluating corporate events and community engagement initiatives. Corporate events include general company-wide conferences and gatherings, senior leadership offsite meetings, and specific events requiring cross-functional coordination. Community engagement responsibilities include developing and maintaining relationships with local organizations, communicating and coordinating volunteer opportunities for American Modern employees, and evaluating the impact of community-based activities.

Roles & Responsibilities:

This role provides unique, hands-on experience and leadership enabling opportunities, with exposure to executive and senior leadership in driving American Modern’s future success.

Strategy Responsibilities (~30-50%):

• Assist in maintaining, monitoring, tracking and reporting on the status of strategic initiatives and senior leadership action plans, challenging the measurements of success and status, where appropriate
• Support execution of internally focused projects and initiatives such as decision-making processes, stakeholder management communication, research and analysis of specific topics, etc.
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of business meeting agendas, meeting minutes, presentations and other internal communications

Corporate Events Responsibilities (~15-30%):

• Develop agendas and manage logistics for company-hosted events (conferences and seminars) in close partnership with business leaders, such as recommendations for venues, themes, entertainment, messaging, gifts, post-event feedback, etc.
• Engage external vendors and/or coordinate outside speakers to create interesting / memorable experiences in line with event goals
• Develop and manage budgets for events, activities and sponsorships, including negotiations for hotels, materials, products, etc.
• As necessary, travel to be on-site to oversee all event logistics (travel: 10-20%)

Community Engagement Responsibilities (~15-30%):

• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, organizations, and external stakeholders through effective communication
• Implement tactics to increase awareness of community and volunteer activities and evaluate effectiveness
• Measure and report on volunteer engagement and community impact to internal stakeholders
• Be the American Modern liaison to the NA Corporate Social Responsibility function, including leading the local Corporate Charitable Giving Committee in alignment with the Regional Charitable Giving Committee, and providing administrative support of the giving software program ‘YourCause’.

Required Technical Skills:

• At least 3 years of demonstrated experience, including one or more of the following:
  • Prior experience working in the insurance or financial services industry
  • Demonstrated strategic thinking capabilities and experience participating in cross-functional projects
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with community stakeholders
  • Event planning, project management, and/or community outreach
• Ability to manage sensitive information with an appropriate level of discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively with diverse audiences (internally and externally), including community members and company employees
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable juggling several responsibilities at once and managing work across a variety of topics
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of local community issues, trends, and organizations a plus