Events & Engagement Manager

Buckingham Companies; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Buckingham Companies in Indianapolis is seeking an Events & Engagement Manager to lead the employee engagement strategy, designing and delivering programs and events that connect our people, celebrate achievements, and reinforce the Buckingham brand across the enterprise.

You will own end-to-end planning for all-employee and corporate events, partner with Marketing and HR, manage budgets and vendors, support philanthropic operations through the Buckingham Foundation, and report on program impact.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience planning and executing events from concept through completion.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, engaging with employees at all levels and with external partners.
• Progressive experience or exposure in philanthropy or not-for-profit organizations.
• Experience in budget planning, analysis, programming development and grant requests.
• Must maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent computer skills, with emphasis on Microsoft Office; other construction or real estate software a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of all-employee and corporate events.
• Manage guest lists, RSVPs and day-of-staffing.
• Organize quarterly employee volunteer activities with nonprofits and community organizations.
• Develop event briefs, run-of-show documents and post-event recaps.
• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with vendors, venues, and suppliers.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, HR, CX Action Committee, and senior leadership.
• Build and maintain an annual employee events and engagement calendar.
• Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses, reconcile invoices and report on spend.
• Plan quarterly Insight meetings with Senior Leadership Team, including agenda and speaker logistics.
• Coordinate employee recognition and milestone celebrations with HR.
• Partner with Marketing on event invitations and internal communications.
• Ensure safety, accessibility, insurance and vendor contract compliance; develop contingency plans.

Skills

Event planning

Communication skills

Philanthropy exposure

Budget management

Confidentiality

MS Office

Real estate knowledge

Education

College degree in Business, HR, Hospitality, Marketing, or Communications

Tools

Job description

Overview

The Events & Engagement Manager leads Buckingham's employee engagement strategy, designing and delivering the programs and events that connect our people, celebrating their achievements, and strengthening our culture enterprise-wide. This role owns the end-to-end planning, coordination and execution of all-employee and corporate events, partnering with team members to create purposeful experiences that bring employees together and reinforce the Buckingham brand. In addition, the Events & Engagement Manager supports the Buckingham Foundation's mission through philanthropic operations and administration, including grant requests and gifts, employee volunteer and community engagement initiatives, public relations activities, and board meeting preparation and presentation.

Qualifications

Training & Education

• College degree in Business, Human Resources, Hospitality, Marketing, or Communications
• Commercial and/or multifamily real estate knowledge a plus
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Experience & Skills

• Demonstrated experience planning and executing events from concept through completion
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with employees at all levels, senior leadership, and external partners
• Progressive experience or exposure in philanthropy or not-for-profit organizations
• Experience in budget planning, analysis, programming development and grant requests
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent computer skills, with emphasis on Microsoft Office; other construction or real estate software a plus

Responsibilities

Events & Engagement

• Serve as liaison with teams and departments throughout the company, including leading multi-departmental teams for various events and projects.
• Champion the end-to-end planning, production and execution of all-employee events and corporate-specific events; to include manage guest lists, RSVPs and day-of-staffing.
• Organize quarterly employee volunteer activities in partnership with local nonprofits and community organizations, promoting unique participation.
• Develop and manage comprehensive event briefs, run-of-show documents and post-event recaps to ensure seamless execution and continuous improvement across all events.
• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with external vendors, venues, and suppliers - including caterers, AV teams, transportation, signage and decor providers.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, HR, the CX Action Committee, and senior leadership to align corporate event strategy with company goals, brand standards, and employee engagement objectives.
• Build and maintain an annual employee events and engagement calendar, coordinating timing across departments, properties and key business cycles.
• Develop and manage event budgets, track expenses, reconcile invoices and report on actual spend against plan.
• Plan and coordinate quarterly Insight meetings with Senior Leadership Team, including agenda communication, materials and speaker logistics.
• Coordinate employee recognition and milestone celebrations, seasonal and holiday celebrations in partnership with HR.
• Partner with Marketing on event invitations, internal communications and promotion to drive attendance and participation.
• Ensure events meet safety, accessibility, insurance and vendor contract requirements, and develop contingency plans for weather, attendance and other risks.

Philanthropic Operations

• With leadership, create the Buckingham Foundation annual strategic and operations plans, financial plan, including budget, to meet the long-term goals of the foundation.
• Partner with executive sponsor for Buckingham Foundation board engagement and strategy.
• Manage the operations plan, associated operating budget, and monthly financial statements.
• Implement previously developed grant giving guidelines, grant application policies and procedures, website content and collateral materials.
• Facilitate all philanthropic and corporate charitable giving, based on the annual strategic plan.
• Coordinate and oversee philanthropic programming at Foundation sites.
• Coordinating with HR, manage the Buckingham Angel Fund.
• Track and report employee volunteer hours and community impact, incorporating results into Foundation metrics.
• Create and distribute required reporting and metrics including the annual report.
• Represent Buckingham Foundation before agencies, community groups, and others.
• Collaborate with Marketing and the social media v endor to maintain and manage Buckingham Foundation’s internal and external communications or channels.
• Manage the Buckingham Foundation website, keeping content current and aligned with Buckingham brand standards.
• Coordinate, prepare and participate in board meetings including agenda, reports, and any other materials required.
• Other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or executive leadership.

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