Corporate Events Lead

Jobtailor; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Chicago is seeking an experienced Senior Corporate Events Lead to own end-to-end planning and execution of events across North America. You will work with senior stakeholders to align events with firm priorities, culture-building goals and client relationships.

You will manage budgets, timelines and vendors, develop fresh concepts, and drive scalable event processes while delivering high-touch experiences for employees and executives.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of progressive experience in corporate event planning, experiential events or related field.
• Experience in high-touch professional services, financial services or client-service environments.
• Ability to independently own complex events from concept through execution.
• Experience working with executive-level stakeholders on high-visibility events.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end planning and execution of corporate events and experiences across North America.
• Plan and execute firmwide employee events including town halls, offsites, celebrations, and culture-building activities.
• Partner with the Global Chief People Officer on events supporting priorities, relationships and culture.
• Develop fresh concepts and improve recurring experiences.
• Source, evaluate and manage venues, agencies and vendors across North America.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing; manage budgets, timelines and logistics.

Skills

Event Planning

Project Management

Vendor Relationship Management

Budget Management

Executive Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

• Own end-to-end planning and execution of corporate events and experiences across North America
• Plan and execute firmwide employee events, including town halls, offsites, celebrations, social programming and culture-building events
• Partner with the Global Chief People Officer on events supporting firm priorities, relationships and culture
• Develop fresh concepts and improve recurring experiences
• Curate venues, hospitality, programming, food and beverage, entertainment, gifting, branded materials and other event touchpoints
• Oversee employee-facing branded materials, swag and gifting programs
• Manage high-profile, confidential and time-sensitive events with discretion and sound judgment
• Ensure seamless, high-touch experiences for employees, clients, executives and guests
• Monitor emerging event, hospitality and experiential trends
• Own and maintain the firmwide annual events calendar
• Partner with Talent & Culture subcommittees on annual event planning and programming
• Provide event-planning expertise, guidance and recommendations to subcommittees
• Identify scheduling conflicts, gaps, duplication and coordination opportunities
• Manage event budgets, timelines, logistics and execution plans
• Source, evaluate and manage venues, agencies and vendors across North America
• Negotiate contracts and pricing
• Build relationships with preferred venues and vendors
• Develop scalable event-planning processes, tools, templates and best practices
• Track feedback and conduct post-event reviews to improve future programming

Requirements

• 5-8+ years of progressive experience in corporate event planning, experiential events, hospitality or a related field
• Preferably experience in a high-touch professional services, financial services or client-service environment
• Ability to independently own complex events from initial concept through execution
• Experience working directly with executive-level stakeholders and managing high-visibility events and experiences
• Ability to manage multiple events, timelines and priorities simultaneously with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong project management, organizational and follow-through skills
• Strong creative instincts paired with practical, disciplined execution
• Experience managing event budgets, vendor relationships and contract negotiations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of discretion, judgment and professionalism
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed throughout North America
• Flexibility to support events outside standard business hours, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Strong taste, aesthetic judgment and attention to detail
• Creative thinking and original ideas
• Ability to anticipate needs and think several steps ahead
• Ability to balance creativity with budgets, timelines and practical execution
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and be solutions-focused
• Polished, professional demeanor with senior stakeholders
• Proactive, resourceful, accountable and able to operate independently

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in end-to-end corporate event planning and execution, with a strong focus on managing high-profile events, vendor relationships, and budgets. Exhibits exceptional organizational skills, creativity, and the ability to work independently while maintaining professionalism with senior stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Corporate Event Planning
• Project Management
• Vendor Relationship Management
• Budget Management
• Executive Stakeholder Engagement

Hard Skills

• Event Planning
• Budget Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Logistics Coordination
• Timeline Management
• Creative Concept Development
• Event Execution
• Post-Event Review
• Hospitality Management
• Emerging Trends Monitoring

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Problem-Solving
• Professional Demeanor

Industry Keywords

• Experiential Events
• High-Touch Professional Services
• Financial Services
• Client-Service Environment
• Culture-Building Events