Events Manager - Development

the CIA•Hyde Park, NY

11d

About The Position

The Events Manager is responsible for the logistical planning, production, execution, and evaluation of high-impact donor-facing, sponsorship, and internal events that support the Culinary Institute of America’s mission and deliver exceptional guest experiences. As project leader for assigned fundraising and engagement events, the manager oversees projects from concept to completion and partners with internal teams, sponsors, vendors, and venues to meet budgets and timelines while maintaining operational excellence. The role delivers fundraising and engagement events that reflect the CIA brand and supports relationships with vendors, agencies, sponsors, and event attendees. It advances fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, sponsorship, and organizational objectives through audience engagement, sponsor fulfillment, effective event operations, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least five years of experience managing corporate events, conferences, sponsorship programs, or hospitality events.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills.
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, adaptability, dependability, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Demonstrated ability to provide highly responsive customer service.
A demonstrated history of improving guest experience with measurable results.
Strong budget management and vendor negotiation experience.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining effective working relationships.
Strong computer skills, including effective use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work nights and weekends as required by business needs.
Ability to use a computer for more than eight hours per day.
Ability to travel domestically overnight on an intermittent basis.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with registration and event management platforms such as Cvent.
Knowledge of fundraising, sponsorship fulfillment, and partner activation programs.
Experience managing executive-level and VIP events.
CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or an equivalent event industry credential.
Experience with event analytics and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

Manage end-to-end planning and execution of assigned fundraising events, sponsorship activations, hospitality events, client programs, and internal meetings.
Develop event timelines, run-of-shows, and staffing plans.
Lead event production planning and coordinate venue, audiovisual, staging, creative, and logistical workstreams.
Coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholders, including venue sourcing, contract negotiations, catering, audiovisual production, transportation, accommodations, and on-site logistics.
Oversee attendee experience, registration, logistics, and on-site event operations, ensuring events are timely, on budget, and aligned with institutional goals.
Identify risks, resolve operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement.
Oversee sponsorship fulfillment and delivery of partner benefits and brand commitments; collaborate on sponsorship opportunities and deliverables.
Build and maintain relationships with sponsors, donors, venues, suppliers, and event service providers.
Develop audience growth strategies and partner with Development, Marketing Communications, and other stakeholders on attendee acquisition, registration goals, and audience engagement.
Monitor attendance trends, audience demographics, engagement, audience retention, and repeat attendance to inform event strategy and improve participation.
Track and report event metrics and return on investment.
Manage guest-list strategy, seating architecture, registration performance, and attendee communications in partnership with internal resources.
Support and oversee VIP, donor, sponsor, and stakeholder experiences that strengthen relationships and advance fundraising objectives.
Oversee vendors, agencies, production partners, and service providers to ensure quality, accountability, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
Implement best practices, post-event evaluations, and continuous improvement processes.
Track event expenses, process invoices, reconcile final costs, identify cost savings, and provide budget updates to leadership.
Manage multiple concurrent events and projects at different stages of planning and execution.
Manage on-site event operations, resolve issues professionally, serve as the primary escalation point during assigned events, and plan for operational contingencies.
Manage event staff, vendors, volunteers, and temporary personnel.
Perform other duties as assigned.