EVENT MANAGER

Compass Group • New York, NY

17h • $90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The Event Manager is responsible for end-to-end planning, strategic development, coordination, and on-site execution of high-profile and complex meetings and events within the Client Center. The Event Manager is the primary client contact from initial request through event-day execution, advising meeting hosts on objectives, experience design, creative solutions, and effective use of Client Center spaces and services. The role regularly supports VIP clients and executives and requires a refined, white-glove service approach, sound judgment, and leadership across internal teams and service partners. The Event Manager makes timely operational decisions and resolves event issues, escalating matters to the Client Center Manager when appropriate. The position does not have direct people-management responsibility.

The role leads the complete event lifecycle, coordinates event services and partners, prepares event documentation, and manages operational readiness and delivery. It requires flexibility to support evening and weekend events as business needs require. Team members are expected to uphold the Hospitality Core Values of honesty, integrity, and responsibility.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience managing complex meetings and events.
• Experience managing a team of conference or event planners.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage high-profile events from initial client request through on-site execution.
• Strong working knowledge of audio visual, catering, event production, room setups, and related event services.
• Experience leading cross-functional event operations and coordinating multiple internal teams and external service partners.
• Demonstrated expertise in luxury hospitality and executive-level event service.
• Advanced end-to-end event management skills, including discovery, strategic planning, experience design, logistics, and on-site execution.
• Strong client consultation skills and ability to translate objectives into creative, practical event solutions.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead and align internal teams and service partners during high-profile, time-sensitive events.
• Strong vendor and service-partner management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through, including understanding event dependencies and operational risk.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including confidence communicating with executives, VIP clients, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to remain calm, discreet, and solution-oriented in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of office technology, event technology, and reservation systems.
• Discreet, ethical, and committed to confidentiality.
• Collaborative, accountable, and committed to operational excellence and ownership beyond one's immediate job domain.
• Degree in Hospitality Management or Event Management.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a financial services, executive, corporate, conference center, or luxury hospitality environment.
• Experience working directly with senior executives, VIP clients, and other high-touch stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of event resources and service providers within the local market.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-touch luxury hospitality experience for clients, executives, and guests, anticipating needs and exceeding expectations.
• Own the event lifecycle for assigned high-profile and complex meetings, from initial inquiry and discovery through planning, execution, and closeout.
• Serve as the primary contact and event advisor for meeting hosts, translating objectives and needs into event strategies and experiences.
• Consult on event concepts, experience design, agendas, room selection, space utilization, service options, and creative solutions.
• Lead planning meetings, site visits, walkthroughs, and follow-up discussions to confirm objectives, requirements, timing, and responsibilities.
• Coordinate audio visual, food and beverage, room setups, facilities, signage, materials, security requirements, and special requests.
• Lead day-of operations for complex and VIP events, directing internal teams and service partners.
• Act as on-site operational lead, making timely decisions about service recovery, vendor issues, room changes, and logistical conflicts; escalate significant issues to the Client Center Manager as appropriate.
• Manage the day-to-day performance of event service partners, set expectations, address service gaps, and ensure delivery meets Client Center standards.
• Identify event risks, dependencies, and potential conflicts and develop contingency solutions.
• Resolve room booking conflicts in partnership with the reservations team and other stakeholders.
• Document event requirements in the reservations system and communicate them to operational teams and service partners.
• Prepare and distribute floor plans, event resumes, BEOs, work orders, timelines, and other event documents.
• Lead daily and weekly planning discussions, communicating event details, changes, risks, and operational requirements.
• Lead pre-conference meetings to confirm readiness, roles, responsibilities, and escalation protocols.
• Conduct pre-event checks of rooms, technology, catering, signage, and other event elements.
• Maintain visible ownership during event execution, monitor service delivery, and respond professionally to changing priorities and guest, client, and operational needs.
• Build and maintain positive professional relationships through accurate, timely, and proactive communication.
• Ensure approvals and billing information for event services are captured and routed according to procedures.
• Maintain working knowledge of Client Center procedures, service capabilities, reservations systems, spaces, and event resources.
• Provide support and subject-matter guidance on complex event planning and execution when needed.
• Support evening and weekend events as business needs require.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death coverage
• Disability insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Holiday time off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid parental leave
• Personal leave
• Additional paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior