Event Manager

16 on Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance with employer contrib

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Short-term disability

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

16 On Center Chicago seeks an experienced Event Manager to drive event bookings, revenue, and client relationships. You will collaborate with venues, operations, and marketing to plan, price, and execute high-profile events while maintaining exceptional service standards.

Lead marketing initiatives, manage budgets, and ensure on-site excellence across evenings, weekends, and holidays. Bachelor’s preferred, with 4–6 years in sales or event planning, and strong proficiency in Tripleseat and Canva.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in sales, business development, or event planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, hospitality, or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of event industry trends, pricing strategies, and best practices.
• Proficiency in Tripleseat, Creative Suite, Canva, Microsoft Office, and Social Tables.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Flexible and adaptable to a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to stand, move throughout venues, and lift up to 25 pounds with/without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and qualify leads to build a robust sales pipeline.
• Develop and implement sales strategies to meet targets.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and packages for bookings.
• Track progress toward revenue goals and repeat business.
• Create and execute marketing materials to attract clients.
• Represent venues at industry events and trade shows.
• Manage client relationships from inquiry to post-event follow-up.
• Coordinate with culinary, beverage, operations, and marketing teams.
• Lead on-site visits and ensure seamless event delivery.
• Prepare event budgets and monitor costs and margins.
• Generate reports on sales performance and client feedback.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Tripleseat

Creative Suite

Canva

Microsoft Office

Social Tables

Job description

About Us:

16 On Center Chicago owns and operates several live music venues, third-party production, restaurants, bars, and food halls across Chicago and New York. Join the team of one of the country's leading independent promoters.

Our most effective service to our community comes from a team with a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences. 16 On Center actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Position Summary

As the Event Manager at 16 On Center, you will work collaboratively with the events and venue teams and embody 16 OC’s “hospit-totally” spirit and can-do attitude. This role is responsible for identifying, attracting, and securing event bookings that drive revenue and achieve sales targets. In addition, you will develop and implement marketing strategies, establish and nurture client relationships, and ensure a seamless planning process from inquiry through execution.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Sales and Revenue Generation

• Proactively identify and qualify potential leads to build a robust sales pipeline
• Develop and implement effective sales strategies to meet and exceed monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and packages to secure event bookings
• Track and report on progress toward revenue goals, upsells, and repeat business

Marketing and Promotion

• Create and execute marketing strategies and promotional materials to attract prospective clients
• Present and implement annual marketing plans to grow top-line revenue
• Leverage digital marketing, social media, and advertising to raise awareness and generate leads
• Represent the portfolio of venues at industry events, trade shows, and networking opportunities

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain long-term client relationships, serving as a trusted partner throughout the planning process
• Deliver excellent customer service and proactive communication from inquiry to post-event follow-up
• Work cross-functionally with culinary, beverage, operations, and marketing teams to ensure seamless event delivery

Event Operations

• Lead client site visits and serve as the primary point of contact for on-site needs during event execution
• Collaborate with internal teams to align logistics, staffing, and client expectations
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as dictated by event schedule

Financial Management

• Prepare event budgets and design proposals for clients
• Monitor costs, margins, and profitability to achieve financial goals

Market Research

• Stay current with industry trends, competitors, and emerging marketing opportunities
• Use market insights to tailor offerings and remain competitive

Reporting

• Generate regular reports on sales performance, revenue collected, and client feedback
• Present data-driven recommendations to leadership

Requirements

About You:

• 4–6 years of experience in sales, business development, or event planning
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, hospitality, or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of event industry trends, pricing strategies, and best practices
• Proficiency in using Tripleseat, Creative Suite, Canva, Microsoft Office, and Social Tables
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Flexibility and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing for extended periods, moving throughout venues, and occasionally lifting or carrying materials up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation

Position Details

• Job Type: Full-time, Exempt
• Schedule: Hybrid schedule with standard office hours, plus evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the event calendar
• Compensation: $60k - $65k + Commission
• Benefits: Health insurance with employer contribution; voluntary dental, vision, short-term disability, accident, and hospital coverage; employer-paid life insurance; voluntary life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with company match; PTO