MARK DOWER
New York,New York
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Contractor / Consultant
FREELANCE
01.2022 - Current
- Event support and assistance for various organizations
- Experience includes: Events ranging from client meetings, lunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, speaker series and seminars
- Prepare program specifications for in-person events (room setup, AV, catering, name tags)
- Manage the development of invites, event signage and firm branding
- Work onsite at various events, particularly registration.
Conference Services Manager
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
01.2010 - 01.2021
- Managed a team of eleven including seven Technical Support and four Coordinators
- Oversaw daily operations in the 3-building campus; rooms range from 25-seat conference rooms to two 350-seat auditoriums
- Implemented and managed computer upgrades to the conference spaces, most importantly digital signage that works directly with the reservation software used by the team
- Directly involved in event planning and proactively resolving conflicts in space requests
- Worked closely with support departments including IT, Carpentry, Electric, and Housekeeping to ensure the maximum client experience
- Forged confidence in the user community and made long-term relationships based on their trust
- Worked closely with Senior Management support staff to ensure high-profile meetings, including Board Meetings ran smoothly.
Consultant
THE JED FOUNDATION
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Researched and coordinated outreach to potential event honorees, performers, hosts, and high-profile attendees
- Continued project work for organization programs and events, including archiving media for the foundation’s website.
Manager, Conference and Facilities Services
CREDIT SUISSE
01.1999 - 01.2007
- Key areas of responsibility included Corporate Services Help Desk, Reservations, Switchboard, Audio/Visual conferencing, and Building Services
- Effectively managed a team of 15 and assumed ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the department including hiring, training, and reviews
- Ensured services and standards were maintained as directed by company hospitality guidelines
- Managed numerous projects simultaneously, focusing on long-term planning and clients’ day-to-day needs
- Coordinated with appropriate departments to ensure consistency of service (catering, media services, building services, mail room, and security)
- Served as the overall point of contact for clients within the Firm and dealt effectively with specific requirements (special service arrangements, high-usage customers, grievances, etc.)
- Implemented new initiatives to improve and expand services and standards across the whole department while also working to reduce costs and increase productivity
- Used technology, systems knowledge, and creativity to develop and present relevant reports on department statistics and service usage
- Developed an online request form for the user community to submit and track client requests.
Education
Seattle Central
Seattle, WAWebsites
Timeline
Contractor / Consultant
FREELANCE
01.2022 - Current
Conference Services Manager
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
01.2010 - 01.2021
Consultant
THE JED FOUNDATION
01.2008 - 01.2009
Manager, Conference and Facilities Services
CREDIT SUISSE
01.1999 - 01.2007
Seattle Central