Event Experience Planning Senior Strategist

Principal Financial Group • Chicago, IL

3d • $84,600 - $125,000

About The Position

Are you energized by creating memorable event experiences that bring teams, clients, and partners together? Do you love managing details, building relationships, and delivering polished, high‑impact programs that drive business results?
We are looking for an experienced Events Strategist to support our Sales organization within Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in bringing our brand to life by planning and executing exceptional events that strengthen and support our sales strategy.
If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy owning projects from concept to completion, and are committed to flawless execution—we’d love to have you on our team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 6+ years of experience in event management, client partnership, marketing, or sales support
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt quickly in a fast‑moving environment
• Comfortable operating with a high sense of urgency
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%, including overnight travel)

Nice To Haves

• Experience partnering with or supporting a Sales organization
• Familiarity with financial services or retirement industry (nice to have, not required)
• Experience with Salesforce
• Strong data tracking and reporting capabilities to analyze event outcomes
• Ability to anticipate needs, problem‑solve proactively, and build strong internal relationships

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop annual event strategies, ensuring alignment with brand, sales priorities, and compliance standards.
• Manage all logistical aspects of planning which may include speaker selection, technology management, communications, marketing activities, on-site coordination, budget forecasting/maintenance/reconciliation and return on investment analysis. Accountable for maintaining post conference success metrics, stakeholder feedback and delivery of overall conference evaluation results.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop annual event strategy, ensuring alignment with brand, sales priorities, and compliance standards.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute small- to large-sized events that support our RIS Sales team and business goals.
• Manage all event logistics including: speaker coordination, agenda and scheduling, budgeting, activity planning, entertainment and rentals, transportation and on-site logistics and support.
• Execute event technology for in person, hybrid and virtual events. Utilize knowledge of all aspects of event technology to guide stakeholders to the most effective solutions.
• Drive comprehensive pre-event planning, including communications, materials, vendor coordination, and internal alignment.
• Manage post-event follow-through, including data tracking, reporting, and sales activation initiatives to translate events into measurable business outcomes.
• Work closely with marketing, compliance, sales leadership, operations, finance, and external partners to support both event-related initiatives and non-event projects that enhance the client and sales experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees