Senior Event Manager

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Museum of Natural History is seeking a Senior Event Manager to lead complex internal and external events, overseeing the full lifecycle from turnover to post-event reconciliation. You will coordinate with Museum departments, caterers, production partners, vendors, and clients to ensure seamless events that meet safety, hospitality, and operational standards.

In addition to managing a portfolio of events, you will mentor Event Managers, support process improvements, and contribute to

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Five years experience in event operations, including managing complex, high-profile events.
• Experience with CRM / Event Management software (e.g., Momentus).
• Experience with floor plan design software.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational planning and execution of complex internal and external events from turnover through post-event reconciliation.
• Develop comprehensive production schedules and timelines; coordinate logistics with catering, AV, security, facilities, and vendors.
• Oversee on-site event execution and post-event reconciliations; review invoices and assist with final billing.
• Support liquor inventory management and departmental process improvements.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and mentorship to Event Manager(s).

Skills

CRM / Event Mgmt software

Project management

Leadership & mentoring

Communication skills

Budgeting & cost control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in hospitality/event management

Experience in museums/nonprofits

Tools

Momentus

Floor plan design software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
The Convening & Event Services department is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and solution-oriented full-time Senior Event Manager. The Senior Event Manager serves as the operational lead for complex internal and external events. Reporting to the Director of Convening & Event Services, this position is responsible for managing the complete event lifecycle from operational turnover and planning through execution, reconciliation, and post-event evaluation. The Senior Event Manager leads cross-functional planning efforts involving Museum departments, caterers, production partners, vendors, and clients to deliver seamless events that uphold the Museum’s standards for safety, hospitality, and operational excellence.

In addition to managing a portfolio of complex events, the Senior Event Manager provides leadership and mentorship to Event Managers, supports departmental initiatives, promotes continuous process improvement, and serves as a trusted operational resource within the department. This position exercises independent judgment, manages competing priorities, and contributes to the ongoing development of departmental standards, policies, and best practices.

Success in this role requires exceptional project management skills, strategic thinking, strong financial acumen, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to build collaborative relationships while successfully leading multiple complex projects simultaneously.
The Senior Event Manager must maintain a work schedule that includes early mornings, weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Event Planning & Project Management – Lead the operational planning and execution of complex internal and external events from turnover through post-event reconciliation:

• Maintain and update event information in the Museum’s event management system (Momentus), ensuring accurate event documentation, service orders, production schedules, and operational communication throughout the planning process.
• Develop comprehensive production schedules, event timelines, and operational plans. Coordinate all event logistics including catering, audiovisual, security, facilities, engineering, housekeeping, technology, transportation, rentals, and production vendors. Conduct client meetings, site visits, planning meetings, and production walkthroughs. Anticipate operational challenges and develop contingency plans. Prepare and manage event estimates and operational budgets by monitoring event expenses and identify opportunities for cost efficiencies.
• Ensure all event documentation is complete, accurate, and distributed within established timelines.
• Oversee on-site event execution while ensuring exceptional service and operational efficiency.
• Conduct post-event reconciliations and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Review invoices, reconcile event costs, and assist with final billing.
• Assist with departmental liquor inventory management.

Leadership & Team Development –

Support the continued growth and success of the Event Management team:

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and mentorship to assigned Event Manager(s). Delegate work appropriately while promoting accountability and operational excellence. Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented, and client-focused team culture.
• Assist with onboarding, training, and professional development. Support hiring, performance evaluations, and employee development initiatives.

The expected salary range for the Senior Event Manager is $80,000/annual – $90,000/annual. The AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.
Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Five years experience in event operations, hospitality, venue management, conference services, or a related field, including experience managing complex, high-profile events.
• Experience with CRM /Event Management software (e.g., Momentus).
• Experience with floor plan design software.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event management, or another related field.
• Experience leading or supervising staff.
• Experience working at a museum, cultural institution, nonprofit organization, or other complex event venue.
• Experience managing large-scale events, galas, fundraising events, institutional programs, or other high-profile events.
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations, catering logistics, liquor inventory management, and event billing.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.
• Positioning/change of positioning: Must be able to frequently position oneself/body to accomplish job duties.
  • Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently. May include any of the following:
    • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward or outward.
    • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
    • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.

Category: Full-Time

Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period: 70

Union Status: Non-Union

FLSA: Exempt

Expected Salary Minimum: $80,000/annual

Expected Salary Maximum: $90,000/annual

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.