Strategic External Events Manager

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship‑oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm’s brand, deepen client relationships, and advance business development across healthcare and consulting markets.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will lead strategy, planning, execution, follow‑up, and measurement in partnership with practice leaders, marketing, business development, communications, consultants, and external

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field.
• 5 or more years of experience managing corporate, client, industry, or professional services events.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple events simultaneously from concept through completion.
• Strong project management, organizational, budgeting, and vendor-management skills.
• Experience supporting executive-level, client-facing, or high-visibility events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and event registration, project management, or collaboration tools.
• Ability to work in the Chicago office 3 days per week and travel or work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Applicants for employment must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States and with Kaufman Hall (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN visa or any other non-immigrant status)

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage an annual external events strategy and calendar aligned to firmwide businessobjectives, priority audiences, and growth opportunities.
• In partnership with the Thought Leadership sponsor and Talent team, maintain a roster of active speakers, expertise areas, and priority speaking topics to identify the strongest alignment between speakers, audiences, venues, and firm strategy.
• Partner with practice leaders and business development teams to define event objectives, target audiences, success measures, and desired follow-up.
• Use market trends, competitor activity, client needs, and firm priorities to recommend event formats, sponsorships, and engagement approaches.
• Lead end-to-end event planning and execution, including timelines, budgets, venue selection, registration, invitations, agendas, speakers, travel, catering, audiovisual needs, branding, and on-site logistics.
• Coordinate Kaufman Hall’s participation in external conferences and industry events, including sponsorships, speaking opportunities, attendee engagement, and post-event follow-up.
• Manage relationships with conference organizers and other external partners
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop event messaging, promotional materials, invitations, speaker communications, social content, and post-event follow-up.
• Support executive and client engagement events that create meaningful opportunities for relationship-building and business development.
• Prepare briefing materials, run-of-show documents, speaker guidance, attendee lists, staffing plans, and other materials needed for successful execution.
• Establish consistent event planning processes, templates, tools, and standards across Kaufman Hall.
• Manage event budgets, track expenses, process invoices, and provide regular reporting on costs, attendance, engagement, and outcomes.
• Evaluate event performance and provide data-informed recommendations to improve future investments, formats, sponsorships, audiences, and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of event contacts, attendance, commitments, and follow-up activities in partnership with business development and marketing teams.
• Coordinate cross-functional planning meetings and ensure owners are aligned on deliverables, deadlines, and decisions.
• Anticipate risks and resolve issues quickly and professionally before and during events.
• Ensure events reflect Kaufman Hall’s brand, client-service standards, and commitment to an inclusive and professional experience.

Skills

Event planning

Project management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Relationship building

Travel coordination

MS Office

Speaker coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in event management, marketing, communications, business, hospitality, or a related field

Tools

CRM

Marketing automation

Event registration tools

Virtual event platforms

Job description

Kaufman Hall is seeking a strategic, relationship‑oriented Manager, External Events to design and deliver external engagement programs that strengthen the firm’s brand, deepen client relationships, and advance business development across healthcare and consulting markets.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role will lead strategy, planning, execution, follow‑up, and measurement in partnership with practice leaders, marketing, business development, communications, consultants, and external