Meeting & Events Manager

UIDP; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & Vision

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

UIDP seeks an experienced Meetings & Events Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of conferences, webinars, workshops, and receptions. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage registrations with Cvent and Smartsheet, and ensure high-quality delivery across all initiatives.

This role offers hybrid work on-site in Columbia, SC, with opportunities to collaborate with industry-leading partners. The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of managerial event experience, strong organizational skills,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3-5 years of managerial experience in event planning, project management, or related roles, with a proven track record of organizing successful large-scale events.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination of in-person and virtual events.
• Create, update, and maintain processes and documents.
• Communicate with event hosts, speakers, and staff professionally.

Skills

People leadership

Event coordination

Vendor management

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Cvent

Smartsheet

WordPress

Informz

SurveyMonkey

MS Office

Job description

This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly skilled, creative, and self-driven manager to lead the coordination of a diverse portfolio of events and activities. The successful candidate will oversee the planning, executing, and delivering of conferences, webinars, workshops, receptions, and other key events, ensuring seamless execution and a high-quality standard across all initiatives. As a critical member of the UIDP team, the Manager will be responsible for driving strategic planning, coordinating cross-functional teams, and providing leadership throughout the event lifecycle.

This role presents the opportunity to engage with industry-leading innovation companies and top-tier research universities, allowing the Manager to make a significant impact while gaining valuable exposure to cutting-edge developments in both the corporate and academic sectors. The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional passionate about high-level event management and a proven track record of leading successful, large-scale initiatives.

The Meeting & Events Manager's duties include:

• Lead general coordination of in-person and virtual events:
• Create, update, and maintain current processes and documents
• Professional and positive communication with event hosts, speakers, and staff
• Update conference and workshop agendas
• Create and maintain event registrations using AMS, Cvent, and Smartsheet
• Collect and report registration data across multiple events
• Accurately communicate logistics details to event attendees
• Manage attendee lists and other registration materials
• Monitor registrations and troubleshoot problems throughoutRespond to general email/phone inquiries about UIDP events
• Provide on-site support at events to include registration management, as needed
• Propose new ideas to improve the experience for our members and other attendees
• Create online invitations and track responses
• Maintain spreadsheets, event timelines, and task lists in Smartsheet.
• Create and maintain event webpages via WordPress and Cvent
• Create surveys, collect responses, and communicate results to staff and event hosts

Assist with marketing and promotional tasks:

• Assist with event-related content creation for promotional email blasts using Cvent.
• Maintain accurate email lists for each event

Other Duties as Assigned: This position may be responsible for a variety of additional tasks to support the effective operation of the organization. These may include general administrative functions, clerical support, document preparation, data entry, scheduling assistance, meeting coordination, filing, supply management, and other office-related activities. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, and flexibility and a collaborative approach are essential.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You thrive in dynamic environments and are highly adaptable to changes in direction or circumstances. With an innate ability to adjust your focus and reallocate resources as priorities shift, you remain agile and efficient under pressure. Your eagerness to continuously learn and master new tools, technologies, and methodologies allows you to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional results. You approach your work with diligence, strategic thinking, and efficiency, consistently meeting deadlines and delivering on expectations with minimal supervision.

Your commitment to supporting the team is evident in your proactive approach, whether handling tasks independently or collaborating seamlessly with others. You take great pride in maintaining exceptional organizational standards, ensuring that every detail is accounted for and that all project milestones are met on time. Above all, you are passionate about contributing to a team that creates outstanding events and products, playing an essential role in advancing the partnership’s mission and goals. Your dedication and attention to quality make you an invaluable asset to the team.

Qualifications – required

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of managerial experience in event planning, project management, or related roles, with a proven track record of organizing successful large-scale events, conferences, or corporate gatherings.

Requirements:

• Proficiency in Cvent event management system
• Hands-on experience with event logistics, vendor management, budgeting, and contract negotiations
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management capabilities
• Outstanding customer service and member support skills
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments while maintaining attention to detail
• Skilled at resolving issues quickly and effectively under pressure
• Positive, professional demeanor in all situations
• Proficient with MS Office and spreadsheets, tech-savvy overall
• Quick learner, able to adapt to new tools and technologies
• Self-driven with the ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively
• Independent problem-solver with the ability to work autonomously
• Available for occasional overnight travel
• Familiarity with SmartSheet, WordPress, Informz, and SurveyMonkey

WHO WE ARE

UIDP ( www.uidp.org ) is a global nonprofit membership association that helps great innovation companies and world-class research universities develop new and better collaboration approaches. UIDP is a recognized convener of thought leaders and practitioners, identifying high-impact strategies so companies and universities (along with other interested parties) can improve the return on investment from their partnerships. UIDP’s operating model is predicated on being agile and producing high-quality products that meet the community's needs.

OUR TEAM

As the quality and impact of UIDP’s work continue to gain recognition, our team has experienced rapid growth over the past five years to keep up with the increasing demand. Despite this growth, we maintain the vibrant spirit and energy of a mission-driven start-up. We’re united by a clear, ambitious vision while embracing the inherent ambiguity and urgency of a highly agile organization.

Exciting growth opportunities await! At UIDP, we believe in investing in our staff to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Team members are encouraged to enhance their skill sets through professional development initiatives, and we actively promote from within, offering pathways for those seeking greater responsibilities. Join us and be a part of our dynamic journey!

LOCATION

This position is located in Columbia, SC, USA. UIDP operates on a hybrid work schedule, with staff working a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary that reflects the value we place on our team members’ contributions. In addition to financial compensation, we provide a generous benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and work-life balance. This includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you are covered.

We also offer a robust retirement plan to help you plan for your future, along with generous paid time off that encourages you to recharge and enjoy personal time. At UIDP, we are committed to fostering our employees' professional development by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and mentorship programs that support their professional growth.