Meeting Event Manager

Kellen; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kellen in Washington, DC area seeks an experienced Meetings Manager to oversee a portfolio of conferences, meetings, trade shows, and special events. You will partner with leadership, internal teams, and outside vendors to deliver high-quality experiences from concept to execution.

The role requires strong project management, ability to juggle multiple events, and a proactive mindset to maintain service excellence across client engagements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in event planning and execution.
• CMP certification is advantageous.
• Familiarity with the structure and ecosystem of trade associations and professional societies.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple events concurrently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for effective client interaction.
• Resourceful problem-solving capabilities and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Proficient in negotiation, vendor management, and budget management.
• Customer-focused orientation with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams.
• Willingness to travel as required for client meetings and onsite event management.
• Proficiency with business intelligence and analysis tools to extract insights from data.
• Proactive and collaborative working style.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned clients and understand event goals.
• Lead the full lifecycle of event planning from objectives to onsite execution and post-event evaluation.
• Provide consistent communication, updates, and guidance throughout the planning process.
• Develop and manage event budgets and oversee logistics including hotel RFPs and contracts.
• Manage registration processes, site selection, and vendor/venue contracts.
• Travel for site visits and onsite event management as needed.
• Track attendance, registrations, and budget performance; report key metrics.
• Identify challenges and apply innovative ideas to improve events.
• Refine internal processes and pursue professional development.

Skills

Event planning

Client management

Budget management

Vendor management

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

BI tools

Education

CMP certification

Tools

BI tools

Job description

A well-established professional services organization is conducting a search for a Meetings Manager to support a diverse portfolio of mission-driven clients. This organization partners with associations, nonprofits, and industry groups across multiple sectors, providing strategic guidance and operational support-including meeting management, education, communications, and governance services.

This role is ideal for an experienced meetings professional who thrives in a client-facing environment, enjoys managing complex events, and excels at delivering high-quality experiences from concept to execution.

About the Role

The Meetings Manager serves as the primary point of contact for several assigned clients, overseeing the planning and execution of conferences, meetings, trade shows, and special events. You'll collaborate closely with company leadership, internal teams, and external vendors to ensure every event is delivered with precision, professionalism, and exceptional service.

This position requires strong project management skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to juggle multiple events simultaneously while maintaining a high standard of quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned clients, understanding their goals and expectations for each event.
• Lead the full lifecycle of event planning-from initial objectives and budgeting to onsite execution and post-event evaluation.
• Provide consistent communication, updates, and guidance throughout the planning process.

Event Operations & Logistics

• Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring financial accuracy and alignment with client goals.
• Oversee logistics including hotel RFPs, contracting, room block management, and registration processes.
• Research and recommend meeting sites, activities, and vendors that support event objectives.
• Negotiate and manage vendor and venue contracts.
• Travel for site visits and onsite event management as needed.
• Partner with internal colleagues across departments to support client needs.
• Track and report key event metrics such as attendance, registration trends, and budget performance.
• Identify and address challenges during planning and execution.
• Stay current on industry trends and incorporate innovative ideas into event planning.
• Contribute to refining internal processes and best practices.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in event planning and execution.
• Relevant certifications, such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), are advantageous.
• Familiarity with the structure and ecosystem of trade associations and professional societies.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple events concurrently.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective client interaction.
• Resourceful problem-solving capabilities and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Proficient in negotiation, vendor management, and budget management.
• Customer-focused orientation with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients and internal teams.
• Willingness to travel as required for client meetings and onsite event management.
• Proficient in business intelligence and analysis tools to extract insights from data.
• Proactive and collaborative working style.

Physical Demands

This position operates within an office environment. The physical demands outlined below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully fulfill the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Hybrid Work Environment: All employees located within commuting distance of one of the hiring company’s offices are required to go in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Flexibility for being in the office additional days on occasion may be necessary.
• Extended Work Hours: The nature of this role may require more than 40 hours per week to fulfill job responsibilities. Additionally, flexibility in working nights and weekends may be necessary. Longer hours, travel, and weekend commitments are typically associated with conferences or special events.
• Office Equipment Usage: The role routinely involves the use of standard office equipment, including but not limited to computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or physical demands required. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, and reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel may be necessary for this position, up to 25% of the time, including weekends. Modes of transportation may include air travel, car, or rail.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The hiring company does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of the hiring company to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.