Project Management Sr. Manager

Aramark Corporation; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

General benefits

Job summary

Aramark seeks a Project Manager to coordinate strategic initiatives for its Growth organization, including national trade shows, corporate events, and industry partnerships. You will work closely with the CGO and Growth leadership to ensure flawless execution against budgets and timelines.

The role requires strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and travel readiness, with a focus on delivering high-impact events and programs that drive growth across national and regional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; or 10+ years of related experience in events/ops.
• Experience planning large-scale trade shows, corporate events, conferences, or executive-level meetings.
• Strong project management with ability to coordinate multiple initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, negotiating vendor agreements, and coordinating event logistics.
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills; able to work with senior leadership.
• Attention to detail and ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office, CRM systems, and event management platforms.
• Willingness to travel for trade shows and events.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate strategic initiatives with the CGO and Growth leadership to align priorities.
• Develop relationships with industry associations, vendors, and external partners to support growth.
• Manage national and regional trade show participation, including planning, sponsorships, registrations, logistics, staffing, travel, and materials.
• Lead planning and execution of corporate hospitality events, customer engagement activities, conferences, and meetings.
• Coordinate event logistics: venue, contracts, RFPs, catering, transportation, accommodations, and communications.
• Oversee regional trade association programs, sponsorships, advertising, registrations, and promotions.
• Attend and provide onsite support for trade shows, conferences, and company events.
• Manage trade show equipment, exhibits, materials, and promotional inventory; track storage and distribution.
• Coordinate Growth Team Meeting: agendas, training, materials, venue, budgets, logistics.
• Support Growth leadership meetings, communications, training, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Manage budgets for trade shows, events, advertising, and meetings; track expenses and vendor payments.
• Support administration of Growth team commissions, tracking and reporting.
• Coordinate employee recognition and engagement activities.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Operations, Finance, IT, HR to support Growth initiatives.
• Monitor industry trends and opportunities; share insights with leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and coordination.

Skills

Trade show planning

Event management

Budget management

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/Communications/Hospitality or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Event management platforms

Job description

Job Description

The Project Manager supports Aramark Correctional Services (ACS) and Union Supply by coordinating key initiatives, strategic partnerships, events, and programs across the Growth organization.

This position works closely with the Chief Growth Officer (CGO), Growth leadership, and cross-functional teams to support business development initiatives, strengthen industry relationships, and ensure successful execution of projects and events.

The Project Manager will oversee national and regional trade shows, corporate events, industry association partnerships, departmental budgets, and internal Growth team programs. The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable working with senior leadership, and experienced in managing multiple projects and priorities.

COMPENSATION: The salary range for this position is $88,500.00 to $176,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.

BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation.

There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including, but not limited to, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance to the extent that those laws apply to the opportunity.

Job Responsibilities

• Partner with the Chief Growth Officer and Growth leadership to coordinate and execute strategic initiatives, projects, and departmental priorities.

• Develop and maintain relationships with industry associations, trade organizations, vendors, and external partners to support business growth.

• Manage national and regional trade show participation, including event planning, sponsorships, registrations, exhibit logistics, staffing, travel arrangements, and marketing materials.

• Lead the planning and execution of corporate hospitality events, customer engagement activities, conferences, and industry meetings.

• Coordinate event logistics, including venue selection, vendor contracts, requests for proposals (RFPs), catering arrangements, transportation, accommodations, and event communications.

• Manage regional trade association programs for Aramark Correctional Services and Union Supply, including sponsorship opportunities, advertising, registrations, and promotional activities.

• Attend and provide onsite support for trade shows, conferences, and company events to ensure successful execution.

• Oversee trade show equipment, exhibits, branded materials, and promotional inventory, including storage, maintenance, and distribution.

• Coordinate the annual Growth Team Meeting, including agendas, training sessions, meeting materials, venue arrangements, budgets, and overall event logistics.

• Support Growth leadership meetings, departmental communications, training programs, and employee engagement initiatives.

• Manage assigned departmental budgets related to trade shows, events, advertising, and management meetings.

• Track expenses, maintain budget reports, assist with forecasting, and coordinate invoices, vendor payments, and financial documentation.

• Support the administration of Growth team commission and incentive programs, including tracking, approvals, payment processing, and reporting.

• Coordinate employee recognition programs, team celebrations, appreciation events, and other engagement activities.

• Work closely with Marketing, Operations, Finance, IT, Human Resources, and other departments to support Growth initiatives.

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and potential business opportunities, sharing relevant information and recommendations with leadership.

• Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, communication, project coordination, and overall team effectiveness.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred; alternatively, 10+ years of relevant experience in event management, strategic planning, business operations, or partnership management.

• Experience planning and managing large-scale trade shows, corporate events, conferences, or executive-level meetings.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholders.

• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, negotiating vendor agreements, and coordinating event logistics.

• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, internal departments, external vendors, and industry partners.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, CRM systems, and event management platforms.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating with multiple teams.

• Willingness to travel as needed for trade shows, corporate events, and industry meetings.

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.