Events Manager

Department: Marketing

Job Summary

Conner Strong & Buckelew is looking for an experienced Events Manager to lead the planning, budgeting and delivery of the firm’s client, prospect, partner, sponsorship and industry events. The Events Manager is responsible for events that strengthen relationships, support our producers and account teams, and build the Conner Strong & Buckelew brand across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will manage the events calendar and budget, negotiate contracts with venues and vendors, manage sponsorship and association relationships, and lead one team member. You will work closely with the sales team, business leaders and marketing colleagues.

Principal Responsibilities

Event strategy and delivery

• Plan and execute client, prospect and industry events from concept through post-event follow-up, including seminars, roundtables, receptions, conferences, tradeshows, hospitality and executive events.
• Build and maintain an annual events calendar aligned with the firm’s business development priorities, industry verticals and regional growth plans.
• Partner with producers, practice leaders and marketing colleagues to define each event’s audience, objectives, content and follow-up.
• Oversee onsite logistics, registration, speakers, food and beverage, audiovisual, signage, branded materials and attendee experience.

Sponsorships and associations

• Evaluate, recommend and manage the firm’s sponsorships of industry associations and their events.
• Identify, solicit and secure sponsors for Conner Strong & Buckelew events, including developing sponsorship packages, benefits and pricing, and managing sponsor commitments through fulfillment.
• Manage relationships with association partners, including negotiating sponsorship packages and ensuring the firm receives the benefits it has contracted for.
• Identify opportunities to increase the firm’s visibility and thought leadership, including speaking and hosting opportunities.

Budget and contracting

• Develop and manage the annual events and sponsorship budget, tracking commitments, approvals and actual spending.
• Source, negotiate and manage contracts with venues, hotels, caterers, vendors and sponsors; review terms with Legal and Finance as required.
• Report regularly on budget, cost per event and results to marketing and business leaders.

Leadership and measurement

• Manage, coach and develop one Events Coordinator, assigning work, setting priorities and reviewing performance.
• Establish event measures, such as attendance, quality of attendees, producer participation and new business or relationship outcomes, and report results after each event.
• Maintain processes, templates and event technology that make the firm’s events consistent and efficient.
• Travel regularly to events, venues, offices and partner meetings, primarily in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Be available for evenings and weekends as event schedules require.

Requirements

• Seven to ten years of progressive experience planning and managing events, including events for associations, B2B organizations or professional services firms.
• Demonstrated experience with sponsorships, including securing sponsors for events, negotiating with associations and fulfilling sponsor commitments.
• Experience managing event budgets and negotiating vendor, venue and sponsorship contracts.
• Experience supervising or mentoring at least one team member.
• Strong project management, organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage many events at once.
• Professional presence and the ability to work with senior executives, producers, clients and association leaders.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule from the Camden office, travel 50% to 75% of the time, and work evenings and weekends when required.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, hospitality, business or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Experience in insurance, financial services, consulting or another professional services environment.
• Experience in Philadelphia, New Jersey or New York markets, with existing relationships with venues, associations and vendors.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or similar credential.
• Experience with event registration, CRM and marketing tools, such as Cvent, Salesforce, HubSpot or similar, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Salary for this position ranges from $100,000.00 - $125,000.00. The base pay offered will be determined on factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, and education. Decisions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the base salary, this position may be eligible for performance-based incentives. 

Qualifying positions will also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, such as participation in family medical and dental insurance programs, 401K plan, and PTO.