Posted on February 16, 2012

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Meeting Planning Associate

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is a dynamic, fast-growing organization serving pulmonary hypertension patients, their family members and the medical community. Pulmonary hypertension (PH), a life-threatening illness described as high blood pressure in the lungs, affects people of all ethnic backgrounds and ages. PHA provides high level medical and patient education, raises awareness of PH in the general public and medical community, advocates for legislation, supports research, and helps patients connect with others to end their isolation.

PHA is seeking a Meeting Planning Associate to help coordinate the logistics for patient-focused educational events, as well as to oversee our Conference Scholarship Program which helps bring hundreds of patients to our International PH Conference. The Meeting Planning Associate will report to the Director of Meetings & Conference Planning and will work as part of a team to coordinate the following PHA meetings:

• PHA’s International PH Conference
  PHA’s biennial International PH Conference brings together PH patients and caregivers with medical professionals who present information on all aspects of pulmonary hypertension – from diagnosis to treatment, and beyond. It also gives attendees opportunities to converse with others and share ideas for managing daily life with PH.
  
• PHA on the Road: PH Patients & Families Education Forums are regional one-day seminars that present information on both the medical and day-to-day issues of living with PH, along with the chance for patients and caregivers to meet others facing the same challenges.

Principal duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all logistical aspects of the PHA on the Road forums, including venue research and selection, room set-up, food and beverage, audiovisual, guest room block, travel logistics and event giveaways.
• Support the Conference Scholarship Program committee by managing the administrative functions of the scholarship process which includes marketing, development and processing of applications, communicating with applicants, coordinating committee processes, and overseeing the disbursement of funds.
• Provide logistical support (along with the Director of Meetings & Conference Planning) for the patient programming components of the International PH Conference, including Kids’ Room activities and on-site special events.
• Work with PHA’s travel agent to coordinate all transportation needs for the International PH Conference, PHA on the Road and Corporate Committee meetings.
• Coordinate three (3) local meetings of PHA’s Corporate Committee, managing the meeting logistics in collaboration with the Office of the President.
• Other duties as assigned
• Some domestic travel is required

Qualifications
Minimum knowledge, skills and experience, and education:

• A minimum of 1-2 years relevant experience; event planning/educational meetings preferred
• Experience with volunteer committee management; background with patient populations a plus
• Competent technology skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Basic understanding of marketing and promotional principles
• Highly organized, goal-oriented and able to work on a deadline
• Strong oral presentation and writing skills
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Self-motivated and able to excel independently, as well as in collaborative settings
• Prepared to work in a fast-paced, professional office setting

PHA seeks to hire dynamic, energetic individuals who bring enthusiasm and creativity to our work. Position is ideal for candidates with an interest in public health, nonprofit management, social work and other related fields who enjoy working in a fast-paced, friendly office environment.

What We Offer
A competitive salary; generous benefits including individual health insurance and a transportation subsidy; location in downtown Silver Spring, Md., (a suburb of Washington, D.C., two blocks from Metro); and a collegial work environment. We also provide high quality training to enhance the skills of our staff.

Application Instructions

Please send a cover letter, resume, relevant writing sample and salary expectations to PHA’s Director of Meetings and Conference Planning, Doreen Lucadamo, at HR@PHAssociation.org. We look forward to hearing from you, but no phone calls please.