Optica is recruiting for a Meetings Coordinator. The Meetings Coordinator serves as the primary supporter of and back-up to the Director, Meeting Operations and Senior Meeting Manager(s) for planning, logistical and committee activity related to assigned meetings, during all stages of the meetings. The Coordinator oversees the execution of all Manager-assigned projects, providing regular updates and escalating any appropriate issues to the meeting managers.  The Coordinator provides other support to maintain project timeline, as needed or assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES (not in priority order):

1. Project Support
   1. Serves as support contact with senior management, internal stakeholders, facility, vendors and committee members
   2. Supports staff lead to ensure event is successfully executed
   3. Acts as back-up organizer of regular team meetings, communicating team decisions and action items
   4. Supports supervisor-developed project plan
   5. Monitors timeline and fulfillment of deliverables
   6. Supports efforts to ensure key diversity metrics are met
   7. Supports evaluations of program effectiveness and communicates improvement opportunities for next meeting
   8. Compiles list of no-show oral presentations (from on-site presider sheets) and no-show posters, and provides to program coordinator on a pre-determined schedule

2. Logistical Support
   1. Helps identify potential venues for meetings and special events
   2. Coordinates special events with internal stakeholders, maintaining timeline, communication and website maintenance. Serve as project lead for contracting room blocks, specs, F&B, etc.
   3. Develops signage plan and oversees production of signs
   4. Establishes delivery of staff, VIP and speaker rooming lists
   5. Coordinates shipping to and from assigned meetings, including aggregation of multiple departments’ materials, shipping manifest and international freight forwarding documentation
   6. Supports meeting special event invitations and RSVPs
   7. Secures local print vendor, as needed
   8. Provides on-site support as assigned, including but not limited to assistance with AV, catering, room sets and VIP handling
   9. Assists in efforts to ensure successful fulfillment of vendor contract specifications

3. Website and Mobile App Maintenance
   1. Establishes topical meeting and Congress webpages
   2. Delivers conference site content per website timeline established by marketing
   3. Maintains committee info, via data entry into NetForum
   4. Updates content as it becomes available
   5. Assists in development and deployment of meeting’s mobile app, if appropriate, and ensures information remains up-to-date while app is available

4. Program Development Support
   1. Requests and tracks information for special technical programs (e.g. workshops, panels)
   2. Works with Committees on Short Course Program, including collecting descriptions, adding details to website and communicating with Instructors.
   3. Works with Committee Members and Senior Staff to create Show Floor Theater program, including call for sessions, creating schedules, collecting presentation descriptions, adding details to website and communicating with organizers and/or presenters.

5. Hybrid and Virtual Meeting Support
   1. Assist in quality review of presentations
   2. Assist as a Room Monitor for virtual sessions
   3. Enter Special Events and special programming into Scholar1

6. Other projects and duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Four-year college degree required
• Two or more years of event planning and/or volunteer (subject matter experts) experience preferred
• Association experience preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines, coordinate details, and work independently
• Ability to travel, approximately 20%
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and database applications, particularly web-based peer review systems
• Excellent customer service skills

Located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC, Optica, formerly OSA, offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. Send resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to resumes@optica.org.

About Optica

Optica (formerly OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources, and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical, and educational achievement.

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