Events Manager

Children; Lenexa (KS); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Health Savings Account

Wellness program

Paid time off

Personal days

Paid holidays

Job summary

Children’s Hospital Association in Lenexa, KS is seeking an experienced Event Services Manager to lead the strategy, budgeting, contracting, and execution of a portfolio of conferences and complex meetings. The role directs event planning, vendor management, and attendee experience to meet organizational goals.

The position oversees the Event Services team, manages contracts over $1M, and partners with Brand & Communications to ensure CHA standards are reflected in every event.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive experience managing complex meetings, conferences, or event portfolios.
• Experience negotiating hotel contracts, including terms, concessions, attrition, and cancellation provisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic, financial, and operational success of assigned conferences and events.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and expense management for the portfolio (> $1.5M annual expenditures).
• Manage RFPs, site visits, bid analysis, and leadership-ready recommendations.
• Negotiate contracts exceeding $1M and ensure terms, risk, and vendor performance are aligned.
• Supervise and develop the Event Services team, balancing workload and priorities.
• Ensure events reflect CHA brand standards and deliver exceptional attendee experiences.

Skills

Event management

Budget management

RFP process

Contract negotiation

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Join us inshapinga healthier future for kids. At Children’s Hospital Association, we unite more than 200 member hospitals to put children first—advancing care, informing policy, and driving progress together.

Disclaimer: To support internal career growth opportunities, internal candidates will be given priority consideration from October 8 through October 17.

Where You’ll Work

This position will be based in our Lenexa, KS office. We observe a hybrid working model that consists of three days in the office, two days optional remote work.

What You’ll Do

This role is responsible for the strategic, financial, and operational success of an assigned conference and portfolio of complex meetings and events. The position provides leadership to the Event Services team while overseeing event strategy, budgeting, contracting, resource allocation, and execution. It independently manages portfolio assignments and balances organizational priorities, financial stewardship, stakeholder expectations, and attendee experience.

• Own budget planning, forecasting, expense management, and financial performance for assigned meetings and conference-related programming, representing more than $1.5 million in annual event expenditures.
• Provide cost projections, monitor performance, identify financial risks, and recommend strategies to align spending with event priorities and organizational goals.
• Evaluate financial results, event data, stakeholder feedback, and operational outcomes to drive continuous improvement and future planning.
• Lead the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for assigned events, including destination and venue sourcing, site visits, venue evaluations, bid analysis, site recommendations, and leadership-ready decision support.
• Manage contract negotiations exceeding $1 million in commitments, ensuring accountability for business terms, financial risk, vendor performance, and organizational liability.
• Oversee event contract compliance and vendor performance, proactively managing contractual obligations and mitigating organizational risk.
• Directly supervise assigned Event Services team members, providing coaching, performance management, workload prioritization, and professional development.
• Assign and balance meeting and event portfolios across Event Services team members based on complexity, capacity, skill set, and organizational priorities.
• Monitor team performance and resource utilization while fostering collaboration, accountability, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the Event Services team.
• Lead the planning and execution of assigned conferences, meetings, and events, ensuring alignment with stakeholder objectives, operational requirements, and attendee experience goals.
• Partner with Brand & Communications and internal stakeholders to ensure events consistently reflect CHA's brand standards, messaging, and desired attendee experience.
• Oversee on-site event operations, providing direction to staff and vendors while ensuring seamless execution, issue resolution, and an exceptional attendee experience.

What You’ll Bring to CHA

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience managing complex meetings, conferences, or event portfolios
• Minimum of 2 years of direct experience negotiating and managing hotel contracts, including contractual terms, concessions, attrition, and cancellation provisions.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Event Management, Business, Project Management or related field (preferred)
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage resources and budgets, balance competing priorities, and mitigate organizational risk across multiple projects.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions that balance organizational priorities, financial stewardship, and attendee experience
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Retirement Savings program with generous company contribution
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Wellness program
• Paid time off and personal days
• 9paid holidays
• And more!

More About CHA

This pay range shown is a guideline. Min:$96,000 Max: $142,000Compensation is based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, and competencies; compensation is based on the role's location and is subject to change based on work location.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CHA is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization, our membership, the care delivery of children’s hospitals and their communities and through the federal policymaking environment. With children’s hospitals we strive to ensure organizational cultures where everyone feels valued and actively participates in the mission of our organizations. Racism stands firmly in the way of improving children’s health. We remain vigilant in our quest for a diverse and inclusive community and in standing against racism and discrimination wherever it exists.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, and protected veteran status, or disability status.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.