Senior Event Planner

Vanguard•Malvern, PA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Event Planner shapes and owns strategy for the most complex and high-profile meetings and events, which may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. The role advises sponsors and senior leaders on business objectives, audiences, experience strategy, measures of success, and investment priorities, influencing business outcomes through strategic counsel, event design, and planning leadership. The planner establishes strategic direction and decision frameworks, guides planners, stakeholders, and external partners in translating strategy into coordinated plans and experiences, and leads resolution of challenges that could affect event outcomes, experience, reputation, investment, or viability. The role evaluates event performance and advises sponsors on future strategy and investment, while directing external partners and interdisciplinary teams. It also coaches event planners, improves planning standards and processes, and ensures Vanguard protocols and controls are incorporated into event strategy and execution.

Requirements

Five years of related work experience.
Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, high-profile meetings or events.
Experience advising senior leaders and managing complex stakeholder, vendor, budget, and risk considerations.

Responsibilities

Lead complex and high-profile events with minimal direction.
Partner with sponsors and senior leaders to establish event objectives, target audiences, experience principles, delivery format, investment priorities, and success measures.
Provide strategic recommendations on event scope, design, audience, delivery approach, investment, and expected outcomes.
Establish event strategic direction and decision frameworks, and guide planners, stakeholders, and external partners in developing coordinated plans and experiences.
Resolve complex or ambiguous challenges that could affect business outcomes, executive or client experience, reputation, investment, or event viability.
Establish risk-management and contingency approaches and advise leaders and stakeholders on tradeoffs, exposure, and recommended actions.
Evaluate event performance using data, participant feedback, financial considerations, and business outcomes; advise sponsors on future strategy and investment.
Deliver executive-level communications about strategy, decisions, progress, risks, investment considerations, and outcomes.
Establish vendor and delivery strategies and direct external partners and interdisciplinary teams for complex events.
Coach event planners and promote consistent adoption of planning standards, best practices, and emerging event approaches.
Lead improvements to event playbooks, processes, policies, operating models, and planning standards.
Ensure Vanguard protocols and controls are incorporated into event strategy and execution.
Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.