Event Manager

Ligonier Ministries; Sanford (FL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Ligonier Ministries in Sanford, FL is seeking an Event Manager or Senior Event Manager to lead planning and execution of teaching events that serve pastors, adults, and youth worldwide.

The role covers venue sourcing, contract negotiations, site visits, budgets, travel coordination, and on‑site leadership. This is a full‑time, on‑site position with growth opportunities and a strong focus on hospitality and ministry impact.

Qualifications

• Agreement with Ligonier Ministries’ Core Statement of Faith
• 2–5 years of full‑time event planning experience (Event Manager) or 7+ years for Senior Event Manager
• Experience booking hotel/conference contracts and guest room blocks
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to lead others, delegate, and work toward a common goal
• Ability to interact warmly and professionally with ministry constituents, speakers, and vendors
• Sound judgment, composure under pressure, and flexibility when plans shift
• Initiative and follow‑through in managing projects and relations with minimal oversight
• Ability to facilitate planning meetings and train volunteers
• CMP certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of assigned events in alignment with ministry objectives
• Manage venue sourcing, contract negotiations, site visits, budgets, travel, and internal communications
• Develop event timelines, run‑of‑show details, and project plans for flawless execution
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define goals and responsibilities
• Recruit, organize, train, and support volunteers for events
• Provide on‑site leadership during setup, execution, and breakdown
• Manage vendor relationships to meet budgets and service expectations
• Contribute to post‑event debriefs and process improvements
• Help strengthen team processes and event planning standards for senior roles

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Vendor negotiations

Team leadership

Volunteer management

Communication

Project coordination

Education

CMP certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Event Manager / Senior Event Manager Do you want to support the Great Commission around the world by planning events that serve the global church? The mission of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible. We are seeking an Event Manager and/or Senior Event Manager to lead the planning and execution of teaching events that serve pastors, adults, and youth around the world. As the Events & Hospitality Services team continues to grow, we are seeking the next members of our team with a passion for seeing people of all ages and stages of the Christian life grow in their knowledge and love for the Lord. This role is ideal for someone who loves both the details and the bigger picture—someone who understands that every aspect of an event, from venue selection and logistics to food service, travel, communication, and guest experience, contributes to whether the event is meaningful, effective, and memorable. We are open to candidates at different levels of experience. Candidates with strong foundational event experience and a desire to grow in ownership and complexity are encouraged to apply. Candidates with significant experience leading large‑scale conferences and managing complex planning processes may be considered for a Senior Event Manager title. Title and compensation will be aligned to the candidate’s experience, demonstrated competency, and scope of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of assigned events in alignment with ministry objectives
• Manage key event deliverables, including venue sourcing, contract negotiations, site visits, budget development, food and lodging coordination, staff and speaker travel, and internal planning communications
• Build and maintain event timelines, planning documents, run‑of‑show details, and project plans to ensure excellent execution
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define event goals, coordinate responsibilities, and achieve desired outcomes
• Recruit, organize, train, and support volunteers for assigned events
• Provide on‑site leadership during event setup, execution, and breakdown
• Manage vendor relationships to ensure contracts, service levels, and deliverables align with expectations and budget
• Participate in and help lead post‑event debriefs, capturing feedback and identifying opportunities to improve future events
• Contribute to an event culture marked by hospitality, organization, flexibility, and service
• For senior‑level candidates: help strengthen team processes, planning standards, and best practices across event types

Qualifications

• Agreement with Ligonier Ministries’ Core Statement of Faith
• Strong alignment with the mission of Ligonier Ministries and a desire to serve the church through excellent events and hospitality
• Event Manager: 2–5 years of relevant full‑time experience in event planning, conference coordination, hospitality, or event operations
• Senior Event Manager: 7+ years of relevant full‑time experience leading complex conferences or events, including budget ownership, vendor negotiation, and cross‑functional planning
• Experience booking hotel and conference contracts, including guest room blocks and event space, preferred for all candidates and strongly preferred for senior‑level candidates
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, moving parts, and deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lead others well, delegate effectively, and work toward a unified goal
• Ability to interact warmly, confidently, and professionally with ministry constituents, speakers, vendors, volunteers, and event participants
• Sound judgment, composure under pressure, and flexibility when plans shift
• Initiative and follow‑through in managing projects and relationships with minimal oversight
• Ability to facilitate planning meetings and bring clarity, momentum, and accountability to the process
• Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to train and lead volunteers in event roles
• CMP certification preferred

Requirements

• Availability for some evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including occasional international travel
• Ability to meet the physical demands of event execution, including lifting, extended time on one’s feet, and walking long distances at large venues
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a rental or personal vehicle at event locations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel

This position is for a nonprofit Christian ministry located in Sanford, Florida. Currently, we are only able to hire individuals who are authorized to work in the United States.

The pay range for this position is $55,000 - $75,000 annually for mid‑level candidates. Candidates considered for a Senior Event Manager title may be eligible for compensation above this range based on experience, qualifications, and organizational needs. Pay ranges represent the lowest to highest salary we reasonably believe we would pay for this role at the time of posting. We may ultimately offer more or less than the posted range, and the ranges may be modified in the future. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, geographic location, and organizational needs.