Manager, Business Operations and Events

Bain & Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off

Job summary

Bain & Company in Chicago seeks a seasoned Manager of Business Operations & Events to lead the office’s events portfolio. You will shape event strategy, manage budgets, and partner with leadership to deliver high-impact experiences across 300 annual events.

You will build strong relationships with consulting teams, office leaders, and external partners, driving efficiency and culture. This role requires hands-on leadership and on-site presence for major programs.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with 8–10+ years of progressive experience in events or workplace operations.
• Experience leading large event portfolios (500–1,000+ attendees) and multi‑site programs.
• Strong vendor negotiations and operating budget management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual events portfolio strategy and delivery, aligning with office and client priorities.
• Lead senior leadership advisory on event strategy and engagement, building cross‑functional relationships.
• Oversee budgets, governance, vendor partnerships, and on‑site event operations from start to finish.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Vendor negotiations

Event strategy

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

WHAT MAKES US A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

We are proud to be consistently recognized as one of the world’s best places to work. We are currently the #1 ranked consulting firm on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list and have maintained a spot in the top four on Glassdoor’s list since its founding in 2009.
Extraordinary teams are at the heart of our business strategy, but these don’t happen by chance. They require intentional focus on bringing together a broad set of backgrounds, cultures, experiences, perspectives, and skills in a supportive and inclusive work environment. We hire people with exceptional talent and create an environment in which every individual can thrive professionally and personally.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change‑makers define the future. We work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.

You’ll work with Bain Chicago’s Business Operations and Events teams, partnering closely with office leadership, consulting teams, business functions, regional teams, external partners, and vendors to deliver exceptional experiences that strengthen Bain’s culture, enhance the employee experience, and support client and business priorities.

WHERE YOU’LL FIT WITHIN THE TEAM

The Manager, Business Operations & Events leads Bain Chicago’s Events team and is responsible for setting the strategic direction, operational excellence, and execution of the office’s events portfolio. This role oversees the planning and delivery of events that strengthen Bain’s culture, enhance the employee experience, and support client and business priorities.

As the leader of a high‑performing team, the Manager develops event strategy, manages budgets and vendor partnerships, coaches team members, and partners closely with office leadership to create exceptional experiences while continuously improving operations and processes.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own the strategy, prioritization, and delivery of Bain Chicago’s annual events portfolio, ensuring alignment with office, client, and employee engagement priorities.
• Serve as an advisor to Office Heads and senior leadership on event strategy and employee engagement, while building trusted relationships across consulting, business functions, and regional teams.
• Establish annual priorities, service levels, goals, performance metrics, and resource allocation across the Chicago Events function.
• Oversee a portfolio of approximately 300 annual events, ranging from team meetings to large-scale office programs, including multiple and often-overlapping large-scale events of 500–1,000+ attendees from end-to-end design, execution, and wrap-up.
• Provide strategic oversight and guidance for event planning, ensuring appropriate project plans, governance, stakeholder engagement, executive-level communications, and messaging are in place for high-profile events.
• Lead strategic vendor relationships, major contract negotiations, and preferred vendor partnerships.
• Liaise as needed with Risk, Legal, and HR teams to minimize risk on-site at events.
• Oversee onsite teams for each event, including catering services and facilities managers, while leading on-site event management, making decisions within purview, and escalating issues when needed.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate event outcomes with stakeholders, identifying efficiency and performance gaps and recommending suggested upgrades to the event planning process.
• Debrief with individual team members, providing performance review and suggestions for future success, while documenting and sharing best demonstrated practices for future reference.
• Own the annual Chicago Events operating budget of approximately $2M, including forecasting, planning, financial reporting, and ongoing cost optimization.
• Monitor portfolio performance through KPIs and stakeholder feedback, while establishing standards, policies, and best practices for event operations.
• Drive process improvements, technology adoption, and opportunities to scale operations while improving the employee experience.
• Partner with regional teams to share best practices and promote a One Team attitude through cross-functional collaboration with local and regional teams, including the Chicago Office Services team.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and professional development for the Events team, including coaching and developing two direct reports.
• Build a strong and positive team culture by driving clarity in roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

ABOUT YOU

• BA/BS degree with 8–10+ years of progressive experience leading complex event programs, hospitality operations, workplace experience, or related business operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to work productively independently, as part of a team, and as a leader of a team.
• Experience leading large-scale events of 500–1,000+ attendees and multi-event portfolios, with knowledge of the Chicago hospitality market preferred.
• Experience managing large operating budgets and negotiating complex vendor agreements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently with senior leaders, clients, external partners, senior Bain Chicago leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to influence senior executives and manage competing stakeholder priorities.
• Experience driving operational improvements and organizational change, with strong strategic planning and decision-making skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Ability to be present in the office and onsite for events.
• Ability to move large objects, such as conference room tables, assist in room set‑up, lift up to 50 pounds, regularly lift loads of 20 pounds, and stand, walk, and work on feet for several hours daily.

U.S. COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Compensation for this role includes base salary, annual discretionary performance bonus, 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution based on years of service and Bain’s best in class benefits package (details listed below).

Some local governments in the United States require a good‑faith, reasonable salary range to be included in job postings for open roles. The estimated annualized compensation for this role is as follows:

• In Illinois, the good‑faith, reasonable annualized full-time salary range for this role is between $94,500 - $113,500. Placement within this range will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to experience, education, licensure/certifications, training and skill level.
• Annual discretionary performance bonus.
• This role may also be eligible for other elements of discretionary compensation.
• 4.5% 401(k) company contribution, which increases after 3 years of service and is 100% vested upon start date.

Bain & Company’s comprehensive benefits and wellness program is designed to help employees achieve personal independence, protection and stability in the areas most important to you and your family.

• Bain pays 100% individual employee premiums for medical, dental and vision programs, offering one of the most comprehensive medical plans for employees without impacting your paycheck.
• Generous paid time off, including parental leave, sick leave and paid holidays.
• Fully vested 401(k) company contribution.
• Paid Life and Long-Term Disability insurance.