Manager, Events

Grainger Businesses • Lake Forest, IL

2d • $95,000 - $158,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Events is responsible for leading a team of event planners and overseeing the end-to-end planning and execution of corporate events that align with organizational goals. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on event management, ensuring exceptional experiences for internal and external stakeholders. You will drive operational excellence, manage budgets, and foster team development while delivering high-impact events that support business objectives. This position is located at our Lake Forest, IL Corporate HQ. Working 3 days per week in the office is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in marketing, Communication, or Business Administration. required
• 5+ years of experience planning events in a corporate setting and previous people management experience required
• Experience leading and developing event planning teams by setting expectations, providing feedback, and maintaining a collaborative structure.
• Experience managing multiple events simultaneously, including timelines, budgets, and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience building relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors while negotiating terms and addressing contractual risks.
• Experience implementing new technologies, creative formats to enhance event experience, and managing logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and security for large-scale events.
• Experience using data and metrics to measure event performance, guiding future planning, and presenting proposals and post-event analyses to senior leadership.
• Up to 30% travel required

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of corporate Event Planners. Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development opportunities to enhance team skills and talent
• Directly plan and execute events or workstreams as assigned, supporting meeting strategies across a portfolio of events with varying size, and goals, providing expertise and industry best practice to maximize value (cost savings, return on investment, attendee satisfaction etc.)
• Partner with event team members to plan and execute components of events such as managing budgets, registering events, negotiating with vendor on travel and accommodations, food and beverage, audio visual and transportation, while creating unique experiences.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Business Partners and other cross functional teams.
• Communicate with stakeholder event progress, budget and post event follow-up and reconciliation.
• Support the leadership team’s strategic direction and operational implementation opportunities by translating organizational goals into actionable event strategies and process improvements.
• Support strategic direction and operational implementation, as designed by Event Team leadership.
• Oversee the allocation of resources and event assignments across the team, ensuring balanced workloads and successful execution of all planned events.
• Develop, document, and implement standardized processes, templates, and best practices for event planning, budgeting, vendor management, and post-event analysis across the entire team independently or in partnership with event leadership team
• Oversee events budget and planner dashboards to ensure events are coming in at or under budget and planning aligns with agreed upon timelines.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees