Manager, External Events

Vizient, Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship-oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm’s brand, deepen client relationships, and advance business development across healthcare and consulting markets. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will translate firm priorities into targeted events and external engagement opportunities.

The Manager, External Events will lead strategy, planning, execution, follow-up, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing corporate, client, industry, or professional services events.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple events from concept through completion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual external events strategy and calendar aligned to firm objectives.
• Coordinate with speakers, practical teams, and vendors to ensure event success.
• Lead end-to-end event planning including timelines, budgets, venue, registration, agendas, travel and on-site logistics.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications on messaging, materials, and follow-up.
• Manage event budgets and provide regular reporting on costs and outcomes.

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Vendor management

Project management

Executive events support

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Microsoft Office

Event registration tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or related field

Tools

CRM

Marketing automation

Event registration platforms

Job description

When you’re the best, we’re the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

Organization

We help society’s foundational healthcare institutions to achieve their full potential in service to others. We are our clients’ trusted partners in ever-changing times. For nearly 40 years, Kaufman Hall has provided independent, objective insights grounded in sound data and analysis to help clients fulfill their missions, achieve their goals, and tackle their toughest problems. Kaufman Hall provides world-class management consulting in Strategy & Business Transformation, Financial Planning & Data Analytics, Treasury & Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Revenue & Operations Improvement, and Clinical Solutions. At Kaufman Hall, we believe that sustained success is never an accident. It is the result of sound decision making, based on data-driven analysis and disciplined thinking, and guided by the fundamental principles of corporate finance.

Position

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship-oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm’s brand, deepen client relationships, and advance business development across healthcare and consulting markets. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will translate firm priorities into targeted events and external engagement opportunities. The Manager, External Events will lead strategy, planning, execution, follow-up, and measurement in partnership with practice leaders, marketing, business development, communications, consultants, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual external events strategy and calendar aligned to firmwide business objectives, priority audiences, and growth opportunities.
• In partnership with the Thought Leadership sponsor and Talent team, maintain a roster of active speakers, expertise areas, and priority speaking topics to identify the strongest alignment between speakers, audiences, venues, and firm strategy.
• Partner with practice leaders and business development teams to define event objectives, target audiences, success measures, and desired follow-up.
• Use market trends, competitor activity, client needs, and firm priorities to recommend event formats, sponsorships, and engagement approaches.
• Lead end-to-end event planning and execution, including timelines, budgets, venue selection, registration, invitations, agendas, speakers, travel, catering, audiovisual needs, branding, and on-site logistics.
• Coordinate Kaufman Hall’s participation in external conferences and industry events, including sponsorships, speaking opportunities, attendee engagement, and post-event follow-up.
• Manage relationships with conference organizers and other external partners
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop event messaging, promotional materials, invitations, speaker communications, social content, and post-event follow-up.
• Support executive and client engagement events that create meaningful opportunities for relationship-building and business development.
• Prepare briefing materials, run-of-show documents, speaker guidance, attendee lists, staffing plans, and other materials needed for successful execution.
• Establish consistent event planning processes, templates, tools, and standards across Kaufman Hall.
• Manage event budgets, track expenses, process invoices, and provide regular reporting on costs, attendance, engagement, and outcomes.
• Evaluate event performance and provide data-informed recommendations to improve future investments, formats, sponsorships, audiences, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of event contacts, attendance, commitments, and follow-up activities in partnership with business development and marketing teams.
• Coordinate cross-functional planning meetings and ensure owners are aligned on deliverables, deadlines, and decisions.
• Anticipate risks and resolve issues quickly and professionally before and during events.
• Ensure events reflect Kaufman Hall’s brand, client-service standards, and commitment to an inclusive and professional experience.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will possess: Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of experience managing corporate, client, industry, or professional services events.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple events simultaneously from concept through completion.
• Strong project management, organizational, budgeting, and vendor-management skills.
• Experience supporting executive-level, client-facing, or high-visibility events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and event registration, project management, or collaboration tools.
• Ability to work in the Chicago office 3 days per week and travel or work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Applicants for employment must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Kaufman Hall (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non-immigrant status)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare consulting, professional services, associations, or another relationship-driven business.
• Experience managing conference sponsorships, executive roundtables, client forums, or thought leadership events.
• Familiarity with CRM, marketing automation, event registration, and virtual event platforms.
• Experience using event performance data to inform strategy and improve future engagement.

Core Competencies

• Strategic event and market engagement planning
• Business development alignment and client relationship strategy
• Project management and execution
• Executive and client engagement
• Vendor and budget management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Communication and relationship management
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Attention to detail

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily with reasonable accommodations Work is generally done sitting, talking, hearing and typing. Visual acuity to use a keyboard, prepare and analyze data and figures; transcribing, viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading Work Environment

Work Environment

Travel Required: Occasional 0-10% The role is based in Chicago and requires 3 days per week in office. Work is regularly performed in a combination of in office and home office settings, and routinely uses standard office equipment It may require the maintenance of a home office and proximity to an airport for work-related travel

Compensation

We consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate, and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current base salary range for this role is $95,000 - $125,000. Kaufman Hall is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, train, promote, pay, and administer all employment actions without regard to actual and also perceived or assumed protected group status as defined by law of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives. Our policies and the law prohibit employment discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of any legally protected status.

Estimated Hiring Range: At Vizient, we consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current salary range for this role is $0.00 to $0.00. This position is also incentive eligible. Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here: http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer

Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

Working at Vizient

Working at Vizient means shaping the future of healthcare, every day. Alongside our clients, we're building a healthier, more human healthcare system. We connect people, data, and solutions to enable healthcare organizations to improve financial sustainability, enhance system performance, and deliver better care.

Vizient Overview

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, with 11 offices across the United States, Vizient has more than 5,000 employees who bring deep expertise and a shared commitment to transforming healthcare. Together, we're solving some of the industry's most complex challenges while creating opportunities to learn, grow, and drive lasting change for healthcare organizations and the communities they serve. Through our enterprise of companies, we deliver meaningful impact across the continuum of care: Apexus - The exclusive contractor for 340B Drug Pricing Program, managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration. aptitude - The industry's first online direct contracting market, supporting self-contracting activity between hospitals and suppliers. Kaufman Hall - Leading healthcare advisory services to support our clients in achieving financial, clinical, and operational excellence. Provista - Proven supply chain partner specializing in extended, diagnostic, and preventive care facilities, including surgery centers, home health, and senior living.