Events Leader

Southland Industries; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 50% match and immediate v­

Job summary

Southland Industries is seeking a senior events leader to drive the company’s event strategy and calendar in alignment with business priorities. You will oversee planning, execution, and measurement from intake through post-event analysis, partnering with stakeholders to deliver high-impact experiences at scale.

You will negotiate venues and services, manage budgets, and lead cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution across locations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in corporate events including leadership of teams
• Experience negotiating event contracts with vendors and venues
• Strong communication skills to build relationships with vendors, partners and stakeholders
• Experience working with project management systems such as Asana, Monday, Wrike or similar

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's event strategy and align the event calendar with business priorities and goals.
• Own the full event lifecycle from intake to post-event reporting and measurement.
• Negotiate vendor contracts and manage budgets to drive cost efficiency.
• Plan, coordinate and execute events with stakeholders to meet goals and attendee experience objectives.
• Develop event timelines, run-of-show, on-site execution and post-event follow-up.
• Oversee the external event calendar and evaluate exhibitor, conference and sponsorship opportunities.

Skills

Event leadership

Vendor negotiation

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Communication

Project management tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Asana

Monday

Wrike

Job description

Position Summary

The role leads the company's event strategy by aligning internal and external events with business priorities and goals. This role oversees the full event lifecycle, including planning, execution, and post‑event measurement, while managing the enterprise event calendar. The position partners closely with stakeholders to deliver high‑impact events, negotiate vendor contracts, and drive cost efficiency. Strong collaboration, project coordination, and communication skills are essential to manage multiple events and ensure successful execution across teams.

Position Details

• Leads the company's event strategy by aligning the internal and external event calendar with business priorities and goals.
• Develops and implements processes, standards, and workflows that support the full event lifecycle, from intake through post‑event reporting and measurement.
• Partners with stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and execute events that align with their event goals and attendee experience objectives.
• Partners with stakeholders to shape content tracks.
• Selects and negotiates venues, A/V, food and beverage, and other event services contracts to maximize cost efficiency.
• Manages vendors and contractors to ensure services meet requirements, timelines, and budget.
• Creates and manages work plans across marketing teams to set priorities and define the deliverables needed for successful event execution.
• Develops and manages event timelines, run‑of‑show, on‑site execution, and post‑event follow‑up.
• Oversees the external event calendar and supports divisions in evaluating exhibitor, conference, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Develops event participation guidelines and manages exhibitor registrations, sponsorship deliverables, exhibit logistics, and vendor services.
• Establishes and manages preferred hotel agreements and event‑related vendor partnerships to drive consistency across locations for cost efficiency.
• Establishes operational objectives and work plans and delegates assignments to subordinates. Reviews objectives to determine success of operation. Involved in developing, modifying and executing company policies that affect immediate operations and may also have company-wide effect.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field
• 15+ years of experience in corporate events, including leading teams
• Experience leading teams and effectively delegating work
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Experience negotiating event contracts and managing vendors
• Strong communication skills to build relationships with vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Experience working with project management systems (e.g., Asana, Monday, Wrike, or similar)
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. May travel up to 25%

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation's largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you're engaged, challenged, and valued,

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications,