Joshua L. James Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

 Strategically advise and consult with individual customers, corporations, and community organizations by offering expert knowledge of contracts, maintaining budgets, improving the planning process, and designing diverse business/community events.  Demonstrate extensive operations management experience and a track record of success putting on more than 800 successful galas, that included beginning-to-end organization of food, music, waitstaff, employee training and development. Provide sound guidance and counsel when orchestrating events and activities, resulting in edification of departments and key members of corporate leadership, growth and development among team and staff members. Mentor and interact with all levels of staff while developing and implementing comprehensive plans for the integration of day-to-day and long-range projects, actions, conferences, virtual meetings, and activities with budgets of up to $25K. Effectively manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, resolve issues, consistently meet established goals, exceed key performance indicators, analyze and make recommendations regarding the introduction of new strategies and business actions.  Consult with corporate clients, C-suite executives, and nonprofits regarding organizational leadership development, preparing training materials and leading classes about servant leadership, communications, and organizational change. Mentor various Director of Events on strategy, structure, and vision casting, as well as continuous improvement in quality, productivity, efficiency, and customer service, how to form teams, create culture, market their ministry and guest experiences.

Greater Chicago Area

 Designed conception, event execution, budget management, staff, volunteers, and third-party vendors as the Senior producer and liaison for all ministry-wide services/events for a 30,000-member congregation. Collaborated with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in overseeing service and event budgets of up to $500K annually, as well as the Lead in recommending, reporting, and forecasting operational changes and improvements. Project Manager for annual the Prayer Conference (8,000 attendees), Leadership Conference (500 attendees), CEO’s Birthday Celebration (3,000 attendees), and the Fall Leadership Summit (200 attendees). Led and oversaw the guest/customer experience (CX), hospitality, creative experience, and Special Events Teams (150+ volunteers) to execute 4 weekly services with 4,000 attendees each. Efficiently designed and led operational training sessions in the new facility with staff and volunteers from all areas, resulting in better retention rates, customer service excellence and loyalty of church members.

Greater Chicago Area

 Coordinated events and managed operations of the district-wide Special Event Venue program that included oversight of the preferred professional list, designated permits and contracts, creative marketing, and annual budgets. Sole point of contact for C-Suite and high-profile clients with budgets of more than $1M, and chosen as the liaison between the Park District, community groups, governmental agencies, the city, and professional associations, to close communication gaps. Drove strategic direction resulting in market share growth for the company, and instrumental in designing, editing, and deploying fresh promotional materials and programs for the City-Wide Special Use Facilities.  Initiated and maintained positive relationships with vendors to secure favorable price quotes, timely service execution, and punctual payments; coordinated staff, volunteer, and event committee schedules to ensure successful event implementation.

Doctor Of Education - Edd, Organizational Leadership

Master Of Arts - Ma, Communication And Leadership Studies

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Marketing Communications, Public Relations