Strategic Event Solutions Event Manager, Supervising Associate - Chicago, IL

EY; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

EY in Chicago seeks an Event Manager to deliver exceptional meetings and events for the Strategic Event Solutions model.

You will partner with sponsors, requesters, Account Managers and internal support teams to understand business objectives, clarify ownership, recommend compliant and cost-effective solutions, and manage event delivery with a focus on stakeholder experience, risk mitigation, spend visibility and data integrity.

Qualifications

• Degree in related discipline or equivalent experience (5–7 years) in Event Management.
• Strong knowledge of meetings and events marketplace and supplier management.
• Excellent communication, analytical and teamwork skills.
• Experience with Cvent, budgeting and data management.
• Comfort with learning new tools, automation and AI-enabled workflows.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional event experiences while adhering to EY policies and SES goals.
• Consult with sponsors and requesters to understand objectives and plan compliant, cost-effective events.
• Manage on-site delivery, travel planning, budgeting, contracting support and reporting.
• Maintain accurate event data in Cvent and drive data quality for reporting and audits.
• Identify process improvements and leverage automation/AI tools to increase efficiency.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Budget tracking

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or related discipline

Tools

Cvent

Microsoft Office

Teams

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The opportunity

This position supports the Strategic Event Solutions (SES) model through the consultation, planning and execution of approved meetings and events. The Event Manager partners with meeting sponsors, requesters, Account Managers, and internal support teams to understand business objectives, clarify ownership, recommend compliant and cost-effective solutions, and manage event delivery with a focus on stakeholder experience, risk mitigation, spend visibility and data integrity. This role also supports continued process improvement by adopting standard tools, maintaining accurate Cvent records, and helping identify opportunities through automation and AI-enabled efficiencies.

Your Key Responsibilities

The Event Manager’s core purpose is to deliver exceptional event experiences while adhering to EY policies, SES service levels and M&E goals. This individual consults with meeting sponsors and requesters to understand event objectives, logistical requirements, budget parameters and risk considerations, then develops practical, compliant and sustainable meeting plans. The role includes recommending the appropriate service model, planning approach, sourcing path, registration or attendee management support, contracting process, payment method, budget tracking and reporting structure. The Event Manager is also responsible for maintaining accurate event records, supporting clean data for reporting and audit readiness, and helping drive consistent execution across colleagues and supplier partners.

• Provide onsite support when required based on event complexity, risk, stakeholder needs and approved support model; travel expectations may vary by portfolio and business demand.
• Travel may be required and should be assessed in alignment with event scope, centralized support guidance, budget approval and available onsite support options. Anticipate 25%-40% travel.
• Overtime may be required based on event volume, schedule, stakeholder needs or onsite delivery requirements.
• Clarify ownership and partner effectively across Account Managers, sourcing partners, attendee management, production, creative services, security, finance and other support teams.
• Use approved event technology, tools and templates to enhance stakeholder experience, improve consistency and support efficient event delivery.
• Complete timely and accurate Cvent data entry, including event scope, status, budget details, actuals, savings, repository documentation and reporting requirements; resolve data quality issues that impact visibility, audit readiness or downstream processes.
• Support contracting, approvals, signatures, deposits, and meetings card processes in alignment with applicable service level ownership and payment guidance.
• Identify recurring process gaps, elevate resource or compliance concerns, and contribute to solutions that reduce rework, improve clarity and strengthen team adoption of updated processes.
• Leverage technology, automation and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to improve efficiency, knowledge sharing, documentation and operational visibility.
• May be required to lead or support SES special projects, process documentation, training, or cross-functional initiatives.

Skills And Attributes For Success

• Uses SES and M&E guidelines, procedures and service-level criteria to recommend practical event solutions, clarify scope and guide stakeholders through approval, sourcing, contracting, planning and closeout.
• Maintains timely, accurate data input, document and repository management to support reporting, audit readiness and a consistent user experience.
• Demonstrates strong financial ownership, including budget tracking, supplemental budget awareness, payment-path guidance, deposit management and reconciliation support.
• Applies extensive knowledge of meetings and events operational processes, EY policies, Cvent workflows, service-level assignments and supplier support models.
• Builds strong, trusted relationships and drives adoption of updated processes by communicating the \"why,\" setting clear expectations and encouraging consistent ways of working.
• Communicates, challenges and persuades internal stakeholders at all levels while balancing service, compliance, cost, timing and resource considerations.
• Works collaboratively as part of a broader SES ecosystem, understands how decisions impact suppliers and requesters, and helps reduce unnecessary escalation by clarifying ownership.
• Understands compliance, spend under management, Cvent data quality and reporting metrics, and identifies opportunities to improve visibility and controls.
• Excellent time management skills; balances multiple priorities by considering urgency, impact, stakeholder expectations and available resources.
• Strong initiative, curiosity and adaptability, with a willingness to test new tools, document learnings and contribute to process simplification.
• A calm, solutions-oriented demeanor with passion for event delivery, stakeholder service and continuous improvement.
• Exercises sound judgment with periodic supervision, escalating issues appropriately while independently resolving routine decisions within established guardrails.

To qualify for the role you must have

• Degree in related discipline or a minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in Event Management, meetings operations, and stakeholder consultation.
• Strong knowledge of the meetings and events marketplace, service delivery models, supplier management and industry trends.
• Strong analytical skills, commitment to quality, adaptability, change management, self-motivation and teamwork.
• Demonstrates executive presence, establishes credibility quickly and communicates effectively with internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Customer-service mindset with the ability to balance stakeholder needs, compliance, cost, quality and operational realities.
• Knowledge of meeting industry software and collaboration tools, including Cvent, Microsoft Office, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and related workflow or documentation platforms.
• Comfortable learning and using technology, automation or AI-enabled tools to improve documentation, reporting, process consistency and team efficiency.
• Certified Meeting Professional certificate preferred.

What We Look For

In addition to the skills and attributes required, we are looking for a candidate who wants to contribute to a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team. This person should be comfortable operating in a changing environment, taking ownership of complex work, sharing knowledge, adopting new tools and helping the team simplify processes. The right candidate will bring a consultative mindset, focus on personal development, support cross-functional collaboration, and balance exceptional service with well-being, sound judgment and sustainable ways of working.

What We Offer

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

The Exceptional EY Experience. It’s Yours To Build.

EY | Building a better working world

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

What We Offer You

At EY, we harness our collective strength to empower you to shape your future with confidence through professional growth, personal fulfillment and an inclusive culture. Learn more at ey.com/us/careers.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job is: