Senior Event Planner

Duke Energy; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking an experienced Senior Event Planner to lead end-to-end planning and delivery of high-profile executive meetings and offsite events. You will manage venues, vendors, contracts, and budgets while coordinating with senior stakeholders to meet strategic objectives.

The role requires managing multiple events, delivering high standards of confidentiality and leadership visibility, and supporting safety and travel logistics across Duke Energy facilities in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience in event planning, hospitality, project management, or related field.
• Or high school diploma or equivalent and ten years of relevant experience in event planning, hospitality, project management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and logistical coordination for executive-level meetings and events.
• Advise stakeholders on venue selection, facilities, logistics, procedures, risk, and delivery options.
• Coordinate planning activities across concurrent events to ensure timely completion.
• Lead onsite event execution, including supplier coordination and issue resolution.
• Develop accurate event estimates and budgets and track expenditures.

Skills

Analytical skills

Accountability

Collaboration

Customer service

Microsoft 365

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Independent work

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Seven years of experience

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Position Summary The Senior Event Planner provides dedicated executive-level event support, leading the end-to-end planning and delivery of high-profile internal and offsite meetings and events for senior leaders and key stakeholders. The role manages project plans, venue, vendor, and supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, budgets, stakeholder consultation, supplier coordination, and onsite execution to ensure executive programs are delivered with professionalism, attention to detail, and alignment to business objectives.

Responsibilities

Executive-Level Meeting and Event Planning

Lead planning and logistical coordination for executive-level meetings and events, serving as the primary liaison among senior-level stakeholders, Duke Energy service providers, and external suppliers. Consult with executive stakeholders and their teams to define event objectives, requirements, timelines, roles, deliverables, and measures of success. Ensure executive-level events reflect the expected standards for confidentiality, protocol, stakeholder experience, and leadership visibility. Provide planning and coordination support for external nonprofit and association meetings held in Duke Energy meeting spaces.

Manage multiple concurrent events, coordinating schedules, resources, dependencies, and risks to support successful delivery.

Subject Matter Expertise, Stakeholder Management, and Event Execution

Serve as the subject matter expert for executive-level internal meetings and offsite events, ensuring leadership expectations, audience needs, protocol considerations, and business priorities are reflected in the planning approach. Advise stakeholders on venue selection, facilities, logistics, event procedures, risk considerations, and delivery options. Coordinate planning activities across concurrent events to ensure responsibilities, timelines, resources, and deliverables are clearly defined and completed. Lead onsite event execution, including supplier coordination, service integration, issue resolution, and stakeholder support. Conduct final readiness reviews to verify that event details, assignments, contingency plans, and deliverables are accurate and complete. Participate in recurring meetings with internal service providers to coordinate integrated support and strengthen delivery partnerships. Partner with Enterprise Protective Services on event safety, access requirements, executive movement, emergency readiness, and issue escalation.

Vendor Sourcing and Contract Negotiation

Translate stakeholder requirements into clear requests for proposals, supplier specifications, scopes of work, and contractual terms. Source and evaluate venues and suppliers based on service, cost, capacity, risk, and alignment with event requirements. Negotiate pricing, concessions, service levels, deposits, cancellation terms, and other commercial provisions. Review contracts to confirm that requirements, deliverables, pricing, responsibilities, and commercial terms are accurately documented before execution. Maintain productive supplier relationships and industry connections to support competitive pricing, service quality, and market awareness.

Financial Management

Evaluate event requirements and available funding to recommend venues, services, and delivery options aligned with stakeholder needs. Develop accurate event estimates and budgets, and track and report expenditures throughout the planning and execution lifecycle. Advise stakeholders of payment schedules, cutoff dates, cancellation terms, and financial risks. Review supplier invoices for accuracy and resolve discrepancies in coordination with stakeholders and suppliers. Identify cost-saving opportunities, including shared resources, negotiated concessions, and penalty reductions, when appropriate.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated accountability, sound judgment, and organization, with the ability to manage complex projects, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong collaboration and customer service skills, including the ability to resolve issues, influence outcomes, and remain professional under pressure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and other tools used for communication, presentations, collaboration, budget tracking, reporting, and document management.
• Ability to learn new systems quickly and use technology to improve accuracy, productivity, workflow efficiency, and reporting quality.
• Exceptional attention to detail and sustained accuracy across complex, high-volume, and routine work.
• Ability to work independently, exercise appropriate discretion, and elevate risks or decisions when necessary.
• Flexibility to support early-morning, evening, travel, and other event-related business needs as required.

Required/Basic Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience pathways: Bachelor's degree and seven years of relevant experience in event planning, hospitality, project management, or a related field; or High school diploma or equivalent and ten years of relevant experience in event planning, hospitality, project management, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

• Significant experience planning and delivering executive-level meetings, offsite events, leadership forums, or other complex event portfolios requiring high-touch stakeholder support.
• Experience with venue and supplier sourcing, proposal processes, supplier negotiations, and contract administration.
• Experience managing event budgets, supplier performance, and cross-functional delivery partnerships.
• Experience providing customer service in a fast-paced environment, coordinating complex logistics, and resolving challenging issues.
• Experience with event technology, registration platforms, reporting tools, dashboards, or data analysis used to support operational decision-making.
• Participation in a relevant professional association or possession of an event-industry credential.

Working Conditions

Hybrid Mobility Classification - Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees must live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility, not greater than 50 miles one way. Employees are expected to report to their assigned Duke Energy facility as required and directed by their manager, on average 3 full workdays per regular workweek. Position is based at Duke Energy Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina. Current schedule is three days onsite and two days remote, subject to business needs and company policy. Work may include travel to offsite venues and occasional early-morning or evening hours to support event execution.

Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements 5-15% Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) No Represented/Union Position No Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Read about our commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce. About Duke Energy Terms of Use Brighter opportunities. Brighter futures. Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.

About Duke Energy

Terms of Use Brighter opportunities. Brighter futures.