Lead Event Planner

The Lead Event Planner is an energetic and self-driven professional responsible for orchestrating large meetings, special events, and incentive trips. This role demands a high level of customer service and the ability to create impactful events that drive motivation and performance.

Responsibilities:

Consult with internal stakeholders to define event goals and ensure exceptional customer satisfaction.

Oversee the planning and execution of complex meetings, special events, and incentive trips, including support for larger programs.

Manage all event components, from communication and registration to décor, catering, and entertainment.

Coordinate with travel agencies for group air travel and manage transportation logistics.

Establish and maintain strong partnerships with internal departments, external vendors, and customers.

Ensure all events adhere to legal, risk, and safety regulations.

Develop and oversee trip costing, event budgets, and post-event reconciliation to ensure accuratefinancial managementand payment processing.

Negotiate contracts and agreements with venues and service providers.

Act as a lead to the event team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, or equivalent experience plus a minimum of 5 years planning meetings and mid-size incentive programs, in a corporate process driven environment, is preferred.

• 5 years of experience in hotel site selection, negotiation, and bookings. Must possess current knowledge of domestic and international destinations.

• Experience interfacing and maintaining productive working relationships with a variety of vendors including hotels, audiovisual companies, convention centers, destination management companies, ground transportation companies, air charter companies, caterers, and entertainment companies.

• Knowledge of procedures related to planning and managing corporate meetings, events and incentive trips.

• Experience using or knowledge of CVENT event registration system, developing registration websites, mobile web apps, custom reporting, and managing data preferred.

• Must have above average knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Proven experience in event planning and execution.

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work independently.

• Excellent organizational and communication abilities.

• Knowledge of budget creation and financial reconciliation.

• Familiarity with contract negotiations and vendor management.

• A commitment to compliance with legal and safety standards.

• Must be highly organized with the ability to handle multiple, changing priorities with excellent organizational and project management skills.

• Must possess exceptional customer service skills and ability to solve problems and respond to extraordinary requests in a professional and timely manner.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, when necessary, and on short notice at times.

• Industry recognized certification (CMP, CMM, CITE, CSEP) is a plus.

#Hybrid

#LI-NK1

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of JM Family. All work arrangements are subject to associate performance, business need and manager discretion, and may be revised as necessary.

JM FAMILY IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

JM Family Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting qualified associates without regard to age, race, religion, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, mental or physical disability, national origin, marital status, citizenship, military status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial, or local law.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact JM Family’s Talent Acquisition department at [email protected] for assistance. If you have an accommodation request for one of our recruiting events, please notify us at least 72 hours prior so that we may provide assistance.