Title: Senior Event Manager
Location: Remote / Flexible
Reports to: Vice President of Guest Experience
Direct Reports: None
Position Summary: Senior Event Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, leadership, coordination, execution, and post-event evaluation of domestic and international events and travel programs for SET. This role owns the full event lifecycle, from program development, sourcing strategy, and contract negotiations through on-site leadership and final financial reconciliation, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and strong business outcomes. The Senior Event Manager serves as a leader within the organization, partnering closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and external stakeholders to develop and deliver high-impact programs that align with client objectives and company goals. As a primary ambassador of the SET brand, this individual is accountable for driving a seamless, memorable, and elevated guest experience while proactively managing risk, budgets, vendor relationships, and event performance.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized, energetic, and relationship-focused professional with strong business acumen and extensive experience leading complex, multi-day programs involving transportation, accommodations, hospitality venues, merchandise, and partner/client engagement. This individual demonstrates exceptional leadership, sound judgment, financial expertise, and the ability to influence across teams while maintaining a hands‑on approach to execution. A collaborative mindset, commitment to excellence, and team‑first attitude are essential.
Job Responsibilities:
Event & Program Planning
- Lead strategic planning and execution of complex domestic and international event and travel programs, including development of event timelines, production schedules, and master project plans.
- Confirm event start/end dates and pre-/post-tour logistics.
- Research and secure venues, accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, and hospitality spaces.
- Coordinate site visits and evaluate spaces for capacity, accessibility, and suitability.
- Establish room blocks and oversee accommodation management.
- Create comprehensive program itineraries for internal and external partners/clients.
- Maintain company centralized documentation for all event details.
- Partner with leadership to develop and research new program concepts and guest experience enhancements.
- Identify opportunities to improve event processes, efficiencies, and execution across programs.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Lead vendor sourcing, negotiations, and contracting with hotels, venues, transportation companies, caterers, merchandise vendors, and service providers.
- Review and manage contracts to ensure favorable terms and risk mitigation.
- Track deposits, payment schedules, and cancellation policies.
- Serve as primary relationship manager for key vendor partners, fostering strong and strategic working relationships.
- Ensure vendors meet service expectations, timelines, and compliance standards.
Budgeting & Financial Oversight
- Own event financial performance, including development, forecasting, management, and reconciliation of program budgets.
- Track revenue and expenses throughout the planning lifecycle.
- Process invoices, monitor commission payments, and submit required documentation.
- Reconcile final billing with vendors and internal accounting.
- Prepare financial summaries and close‑out reports.
- Identify cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining program quality.
Travel & Logistics Coordination
- Coordinate group air, ground transportation, and transfers.
- Arrange airport shuttles and arrival/departure manifests.
- Manage bus assignments, driver logistics, parking, and routing.
- Oversee ticket distribution and credential management.
- Coordinate merchandise orders and delivery schedules.
- Ensure compliance with local regulations and venue requirements.
- Develop contingency plans and proactively mitigate operational risks related to travel, transportation, and event logistics.
Guest Experience & Registration
- Lead as the face of SET with professionalism, friendly disposition, and a passion for the guest and brand position.
- Oversee guest registration processes and tracking.
- Manage guest communications including confirmations, itineraries, and event updates.
- Oversee VIP hospitality strategies and services ensuring a high‑touch and personalized guest experience.
- Develop welcome materials, on‑site signage, and event collateral as requested.
- Ensure a seamless and high‑touch guest experience from arrival through departure and build lasting relationships with both the clients and the guests.
Marketing & Communication Support
- Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to align event strategy, positioning, pricing and attendee communications.
- Provide content and timelines for promotional materials.
- Coordinate with internal teams on event announcements and updates.
- Track attendance metrics and engagement data, provide insights from guest feedback.
On‑Site Event Management
- Serve as the senior on‑site leader for allocated domestic and international programs
- Responsible for overall event performance, decision‑making, risk mitigation, and staff management.
- Provide friendly, concierge level guest interaction.
- Manage hospitality areas, food & beverage service, and event flow.
- Troubleshoot issues in real time and implement contingency plans.
- Ensure safety protocols and brand standards are upheld.
- Maintain daily reconciliation of expenses and operational updates.
Post‑Event Reporting & Close‑Out
- Conduct post‑event debriefs and collect team feedback.
- Analyze guest survey results and other feedback and share insights and ideas with leadership.
- Reconcile final vendor invoices and outstanding payments.
- Track commissions and submit necessary billing.
- Compile final event reports, including financial pe.