Director, Senior Event Planner (Firmwide Marketing)

Morgan Stanley•New York, NY

21h

About The Position

The Event Planning team is part of Firmwide Marketing and is responsible for delivering high impact conferences and events that reflect the Global Firmwide Brand while deepening client and employee engagement. The Senior Event Planner plays a critical role in shaping and executing strategic, brand forward experiences across the firm. This position will primarily support Institutional Securities Group (ISG), with a particular focus on Investment Banking Division (IBD) and Integrated Firm Marketing initiatives. The role serves as a trusted advisor, events liaison, and concierge services to assigned Business Units (BUs), requiring a balance of strategic thinking, relationship management, team leadership, and flawless execution across a diverse portfolio of in person and select hybrid events. Role Overview The Senior Event Planner is accountable for the end to end strategy, planning, execution, and evaluation of multiple, complex events simultaneously. In addition to leading logistics and production, this role partners closely with ISG and IBD leadership, marketing stakeholders, and cross functional teams to ensure events directly support marketing and business priorities, including: > Deepening senior level client relationships through highly curated, experience led programming > Delivering a white glove, concierge style event experience aligned to IBD client expectations > Elevating the firm's brand through cohesive storytelling, design, and content > Expanding integrated, multi BU event strategies that drive scale, efficiency, and consistency across ISG > Leveraging data, insights, and post event analysis to continuously improve ROI and engagement

Requirements

7+ years of progressive experience in conference and event planning, with demonstrated success in the financial services sector
Bachelor's degree required
Deep expertise with Cvent and event technology platforms, including Dealogic's Conference Manager
Strategic thinker with the ability to connect events to broader marketing and business objectives
Strong relationship builder with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Proven leadership, negotiation, and decision making capabilities
Self starter with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Customer focused, approachable, and service oriented
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Flexible and willing to work extended hours (evenings/weekends) and travel as needed
Proficiency in MS Office

Nice To Haves

Experience with employee incentive and recognition programs is a plus

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and delivery of a portfolio of client facing and employee recognition events, primarily in person with limited virtual components, aligned to BU and firmwide marketing strategies.
Own the full event lifecycle, including venue sourcing, contracting, budgeting, site selection, registration, digital and print collateral, transportation, accommodations, communications, programming, decor, entertainment, gifting, catering, audiovisual production, speaker management, and post event reconciliation.
Translate high level marketing and business objectives into compelling event concepts, formats, and attendee experiences.
Serve as the event planning partner and relationship manager for assigned BUs, building trusted, long term relationships with senior stakeholders.
Act as a strategic advisor, guiding BUs on event strategy, audience targeting, format selection, timing, and integration with broader marketing initiatives.
Proactively identify opportunities to streamline, scale, or integrate events across BUs while maintaining customization where it matters most.
Ensure consistent communication, clear expectations, and proactive issue resolution throughout the planning process.
Source, negotiate, and manage contracts with all vendors, including venues, venue finding agents, transportation providers, speakers, entertainment, destination management companies, and production partners.
Ensure vendor selection aligns with brand standards, budget parameters, and risk and compliance requirements.
Develop and manage detailed event budgets; oversee billing, accruals, reconciliation, and final financial reporting.
Conduct post event cost analysis and provide insights and recommendations to inform future planning and 2026 budget optimization goals.
Partner with event hosts and BUs to develop invitation and registration strategies, including invitee list development, registration content, and attendance tracking.
Direct and oversee all event technology, with heavy use of Cvent and DeaLogic products, including registration, mobile apps, onsite solutions (badge and agenda printing), reporting portals, surveys, and Passkey.
Provide clear reporting and insights to stakeholders before, during, and after events.
Partner with Creative Services to ensure a consistent, elevated visual identity across all event collateral, including save the dates, invitations, agendas, speaker materials, attendee lists, signage, and on site branding.
Oversee program production, including staging, audiovisual, and webcasts, ensuring content quality and brand alignment.
Travel regularly for site inspections and on site event leadership, ensuring seamless execution and coordination of on site teams.
Lead post event wrap ups, including final attendance reporting, budget reconciliation, survey analysis, stakeholder debriefs, and recommendations for future events.
Capture insights and best practices to continuously improve the firm's event portfolio in support of 2026 goals.
Support and mentor other team members on program logistics and best practices.
Stay current on venue trends, emerging destinations, speakers, and experience innovations.
Ensure all events adhere to firmwide compliance, risk, and brand guidelines.