Event Manager

FREEMAN; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Parental Leave

Life, Accident and Disability

Retirement with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The Freeman Company is seeking an Event Manager to oversee all phases of event planning and execution, coordinating cross‑functional teams, budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships. A proactive mindset, strong client service, and leadership are essential for success in this hybrid role across multiple U.S.

locations, including Detroit, MI. The role involves managing post‑event analysis, contract negotiations, and mentoring junior staff while delivering high-quality experiences and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience
• Typically 4–6 years of event experience
• Strong client service
• Continuous follow-up and follow-through on project deliverables
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Leadership to manage a team and client
• Ability to execute with minimal supervision
• Strategic thought process
• Interest and ability to mentor junior team members
• Mastery of G Suite, Microsoft Office, Airtable, and all relevant tools

Responsibilities

• Maintain client files with contracts, agreements, work orders, budgets, schedules, and checklists
• Lead smaller-scale events and continue developing expertise in specific roles
• Collaborate with Technical Directors as needed
• Collaborate with the creative team based on assigned role
• Ensure deliverables meet scope on client and internal milestones
• Lead or contribute to cross-team workstreams and project elements
• Provide clear, concise communication to the team and clients
• Support budget development and management for assigned workstreams
• Develop vendor and freelancer relationships
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and freelancers
• Manage pre-production planning, décor, graphics, event flow, food & beverage, expo planning/logistics, content tracking and management, and contingency plans
• Support RFP development as needed
• Lead or join weekly meetings and document action items
• Support post-event reporting and maintain communication
• Mentor and train Production Assistants and Coordinators

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client service

Teamwork

Mentorship

Strategic thinking

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

G Suite

Microsoft Office

Airtable

Procim

Google Sheets

Box

Concur

Coupa

Job description

About Us

Sparks is a leading global brand experience agency, specializing in the design and execution of award-winning experiences that forge deep connections between brands and audiences. Recognized by Adweek as Experiential Agency of the Year, we bring a unique blend of strategic insight and execution excellence to every brand activation, corporate event, trade show exhibit, and immersive experience. Our commitment to creativity, innovation, and flawless execution drives us to craft impactful experiential marketing solutions that deepen relationships, inspire action, and build trust—all around the world.

Summary

The Event Manager (EM) is responsible for supporting the management of all phases of event planning and execution, including coordinating cross-functional teams, project deliverables, and vendor relationships. The EM supports budgets, timelines, and reporting to ensure projects are delivered within scope and profit goals, while maintaining high-quality service and communication. Additionally, the EM supports post-event analysis and contract negotiations to optimize project outcomes. A proactive mindset, ownership, team collaboration, attention to detail and accountability are essential, along with professionalism, a positive disposition, a passion for event production and logistics and exceptional customer service.

This role is eligible to work a hybrid schedule based out of one of the following areas:

• Dallas, TX
• Philadelphia, PA
• Las Vegas, NV
• Fort Wayne, IN
• Detroit, MI

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Event Planning & Delivery

• Maintain client files with contracts, agreements, work orders, budgets, schedules, and checklists
• Continue developing expertise in specific roles and lead smaller-scale events
• Collaborate with Technical Directors as needed
• Collaborate closely with the creative team based on assigned role
• Confirm deliverables are met within scope on client and internal milestones
• Collaborate across teams to lead workstreams and project elements
• Clear, concise communication to the team and clients

Budget & Vendor Management

• Support the development and management of budgets for assigned workstreams
• Develop excellent vendor and freelancer relationships
• Help negotiate contracts with vendors and freelancers
• Manage pre-production planning, décor, graphics, event flow, food and beverage, expo planning/logistics, content tracking and management, and contingency plans
• Support RFP development as needed

Communication & Reporting

• Lead or join weekly meetings and document action items
• Support post-event reporting and maintain communication
• Mentor and train Production Assistants and Coordinators

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience
• Typically 4-6 years of event experience
• Strong client service
• Continuous follow-up and follow-through on project deliverables
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Leadership skills to manage a team and client
• Ability to execute with minimal supervision
• Strategic thought process
• Interest and ability to mentor junior team members
• Mastery of G Suite (Slides, Sheets, Docs), Microsoft Office, Airtable, and all relevant internal and client tools
• Proficiency in Procim, Google Sheets, Tools & Templates, PO and Accounts Receivable, Concur, Coupa, G Suite and Box
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Motivated, positive attitude, and results-oriented mindset
• Strong teamwork ethic, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively

Travel Requirements

Travel 25% to 50%

What We Offer

The Freeman Company provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and Disability
• Retirement with Company Match
• Paid Time Off

Diversity Commitment

At The Freeman Company, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.