Event Manager

Westminster Theological Seminary; Sanford (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ligonier Ministries in Sanford, FL, seeks an Event Manager to plan and execute teaching events serving pastors, adults, and youth worldwide. The role spans venue sourcing, contract negotiations, travel coordination, and guest experience, with on-site leadership.

Open to levels; senior candidates may oversee larger conferences and complex planning, with compensation aligned to experience and scope of responsibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 2–5 years of relevant full-time experience in event planning, conference coordination, hospitality, or event operations.
• Senior level: 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.
• 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.

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.

Skills

Event planning

Vendor management

Budgeting

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

CMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

Job description

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

1. Lead the planning and execution of assigned events in alignment with ministry objectives
2. 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
3. Build and maintain event timelines, planning documents, run-of-show details, and project plans to ensure excellent execution
4. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define event goals, coordinate responsibilities, and achieve desired outcomes
5. Recruit, organize, train, and support volunteers for assigned events
6. Provide on-site leadership during event setup, execution, and breakdown
7. Manage vendor relationships to ensure contracts, service levels, and deliverables align with expectations and budget
8. Participate in and help lead post-event debriefs, capturing feedback and identifying opportunities to improve future events
9. Contribute to an event culture marked by hospitality, organization, flexibility, and service
10. For senior-level candidates: help strengthen team processes, planning standards, and best practices across event types

Qualifications

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

Requirements

1. Availability for some evenings and weekends
2. Ability to travel up to 25% of the time, including occasional international travel
3. Ability to meet the physical demands of event execution, including lifting, extended time on one’s feet, and walking long distances at large venues
4. Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a rental or personal vehicle at event locations
5. 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.