Manager, Event Engagement

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plan

Annual discretionary bonus

Flexible spending account

Job summary

SHRM is seeking a Manager of Event Engagement to lead planning, development, and execution of experiential initiatives across a portfolio of events, from executive gatherings to conferences up to 26,000 attendees.

You will translate event strategy into live experiences, oversee creative direction, attendee engagement, branding, and live production while managing budgets and external partners.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) or more years of related experience in events, PR/marketing or agency environments.
• Experience planning and managing corporate events, city-wide conferences, or expos.
• Experience managing and developing team members.
• Experience managing complex budgets, including seven-figure sums.
• Experience coordinating major external partners (production, agencies, vendors).
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong multi-tasking and deadline-driven project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Main Stage production from concept through onsite execution.
• Oversee stage, scenic, and production design with stakeholders and vendors.
• Develop show flows, run-of-show materials, and executive presentations.
• Coordinate scripting with SHRM communications team.
• Lead onsite rehearsals, technical checks, speaker prep, and show calling.
• Drive cross-functional attendee engagement throughout the journey.
• Manage major external partners (vendors, agencies, prod companies) and budgets.
• Partner with Expo team to create engaging expo environments.
• Coach and develop team members across concurrent projects.
• Set priorities, manage workloads, and foster accountability.

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Team leadership

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Stakeholder management

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Business, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Public Relations or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

SHRMis a member-driven catalystfor creating better workplaces wherepeople and businessesthrive together.As thetrusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thoughtleader on issuesand innovationsimpacting today’s evolving workplaces.With nearly340,000members in180countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than362million workers and their families globally.

Summary

The Manager, Event Engagement, is responsible for leading the planning, development, and execution of event engagement and experiential initiatives across a diverse portfolio of organizational events, ranging from executive gatherings to large-scale conferences and expos up to 26,000 attendees. This role translates event strategy into cohesive live experiences through oversight of creative direction, experiential design, attendee engagement, event environments, branding, and live production.

The Manager oversees multiple events and workstreams simultaneously, including the development of creative concepts, production of high-profile stages and programming, management of event budgets, and oversight of external partners and vendors. The role provides leadership and direction to team members, establishes project priorities and timelines, and coordinates with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure event experiences are delivered effectively, consistently, and in alignment with organizational objectives and brand standards.

Responsibilities

Main Stage and Event Production

• Lead Main Stage production for assigned events from early concept development through onsite execution.
• Oversee stage, scenic, and production design in partnership with internal stakeholders and external production vendors.
• Develop and manage show flows, executive presentations, run-of-show materials, and other production documents.
• Partner with the SHRM comms team on scripting for main stage experiences.
• Partner with production for all onsite rehearsals, technical checks, speaker preparation, live stage execution, and show calling.

Internal Partnerships & Attendee Engagement

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders to develop compelling, audience-centric engagement throughout the attendee journey.
• Build alignment across teams to ensure cohesive messaging, branding, activations, environmental builds, and stage experiences.

External Partnerships:

• Manage major external partners - including general services contractors, production companies, experiential agencies, and creative vendors - across scopes, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Partner with SHRM’s Expo team to develop engaging environments within expo/marketplace spaces.
• Manage, coach, and develop team members responsible for multiple concurrent event projects and workstreams.
• Set clear priorities, manage workloads, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and strong judgment.

Budget and Project Management:

• Develop and manage complex event budgets, including seven-figure budgets and significant vendor investments.
• Manage multiple complex projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Business, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Public Relations or related field or relevant equivalent experience in lieu of degree.

Experience

• Seven (7) or more years of related experience in a similar work environment and role, preferably with a PR/marketing/event agency or in-house for medium to large brand(s).
• Proven experience in planning and managing corporate events and/or city-wide conferences and expos.
• Experience managing and developing team members.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex and/or seven-figure budgets.
• Experience managing major external partners such as production companies, general services contractors, experiential agencies, creative agencies, and other event vendors.
• Proven ability to build and manage strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and senior leaders.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams, timelines, and priorities.

Certifications - NA

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid written and verbal communication skills with ability to clearly articulate a story or idea to internal or external audiences.
• Exemplary judgment, organization, and attention to detail.
• Creativity and intellectual curiosity especially as it relates to traditional and non-traditional events and associated trends.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and meet critical deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with all levels within an organization and display strong customer service skills, diplomacy, and tact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Ability to effectively leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve overall work quality.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a typical office environment (which includes a home office setting) and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

Hybrid Schedule (3 Days In-Office/2 Days Remote)

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with Tuesday through Thursday in office and Monday and Friday remote. Employees must be available during standard business hours, with core hours beginning between 8:00–9:00 a.m. and concluding between 5:00–6:00 p.m. local time.

Travel: moderate 20 – 30%

The hiring range for this position is $100,000 to $128,000 per year. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. SHRM offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, open leave, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.

Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

SHRM is an equal opportunity employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran).

We do not sponsor applicants for work visas.