Manager, Event Planning Services

The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod; Kirkwood (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod is seeking a Manager, Event Planning Services to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for meetings, conferences, travel coordination, procurement activities, and vendor management. You will negotiate contracts, manage budgets, and supervise event support teams to ensure successful execution.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role emphasizes risk management, stakeholder collaboration, and adherence to organizational policies

Qualifications

• Leadership and organizational skills.
• Contract negotiation and procurement expertise.
• Event and meeting management.
• Financial and budget management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead organizational strategies for meetings, conferences, special events, travel services, and procurement activities.
• Manage all aspects of event planning and execution for meetings, conferences, retreats, and special events.
• Negotiate contracts with hotels, convention centers, transportation companies, caterers, and other service providers.
• Manage vendor relationships and monitor supplier performance.
• Develop and manage events and procurement budgets and financial reporting.
• Oversee travel programs and coordination services.
• Provide consultation and planning support to leadership and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and risk management requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Event management

Budget management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Event Management, or related field

Job description

The LCMS Mission\"In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and world.\"Position SummaryThe Manager, Event Planning Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for meeting services, event planning, travel coordination, procurement activities, and vendor management in support of organizational objectives.Reporting RelationshipsReports to the Chief Operating OfficerEssential Job FunctionsDevelop and lead organizational strategies for meetings, conferences, special events, travel services, and procurement activities.Manage all aspects of event planning and execution for meetings, conferences, retreats, and special events.Negotiate contracts with hotels, convention centers, transportation companies, caterers, and other service providers.Manage vendor relationships and monitor supplier performance.Develop and manage events and procurement budgets and financial reporting.Oversee travel programs and coordination services.Provide consultation and planning support to leadership and internal stakeholders.Ensure compliance with organizational policies and risk management requirements.Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Event Management, or related field, preferred.Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in event planning, procurement, hospitality management, or operations leadership, required.Experience negotiating contracts and managing budgets.Member of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation, preferred.Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)Leadership and organizational skillsContract negotiation and procurement expertiseEvent and meeting managementFinancial and budget managementExcellent communication and stakeholder managementSupervisory ResponsibilityEvent support teams