Senior Events Manager, Campus Events Management

Northwestern Mutual•Milwaukee, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a strategic and highly creative Events Senior Mgr. to join a talented team of seasoned event professionals. This team is responsible for leading the planning and delivery of large-scale, live, and experiential event experiences. The ideal candidate is a seasoned event professional with deep expertise in end-to-end event management, contract negotiation, industry benchmarking, compliance (ADA, risk mitigation, sustainability, safety), experiential event design, and project management. You will shape experiences that reflect Northwestern Mutual’s brand, culture, and business priorities while delivering seamless execution across complex stakeholder environments. Translating business objectives into thoughtfully crafted, brand-forward experiences that engage, inspire, and drive measurable impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in event management/hospitality, business, marketing, or related field preferred.
Minimum of 7 years event management experience.
Proven ability to manage large budgets and complex contract negotiations.
Demonstrated organizational agility to work across organizational boundaries, influence, and collaborate with all levels on solutions that benefit the organization.
Strong communication, executive presence, and stakeholder-management skills.
Exceptional business acumen and focus on achieving business impact through progressive practices and sound business judgment.
Ability to translate goals and strategies into executable business plans.
Facilitation and team building skills; ability to play an active, operational and communicative role.
Expertise in site selection, hotel contracting, and multi-venue logistics.
Experience working with production/AV partners and immersive design teams
Interpersonal savvy and comfort interacting with and presenting to all levels of the organization, including senior leaders.
Ability to train and mentor event coordinators.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends during event execution periods.
Proficiency in event management platforms (Cvent), project management software, Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with AI productivity tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Key driver in delivering event objectives. Meeting and often exceeding success metrics that are aligned to enterprise goals.
Demonstrate an ability to translate insights and business strategy into memorable, outcome-driven live experiences.
Forecast, build, manage, and reconcile large-scale event budgets to optimize spend against industry best practices while ensuring financial compliance, governance, and an exceptional attendee experience.
Work with the appropriate teams to venue transformations and develop end-to-end event plans, including creative direction, spatial design, attendee flow, content integration, and production strategy.
Partner cross-functionally to ensure space meets and exceeds the needs of the learning sessions to surpass attendee engagement goals.
Oversee master session scheduling, concurrent programming logistics, and attendee journey mapping.
Partner with venues and caterers to design creative menus that reflect brand, location, culture, and audience.
Oversee F&B strategy including dietary inclusivity, cultural considerations, service style, and experiential culinary activations.
Ensure food and beverage programs align with sustainability goals and budget optimization.
Ensure all events under management are adhering to event industry best practices, including but not limited to: ADA compliance and accessibility standards, Safety and security protocols, Risk mitigation planning, Governance and financial compliance (including anticipating regulatory or operational risks and create proactive contingency plans.)
Partner with cross-functional teams during the RFP processes utilizing your deep industry experience to be the strategic advisor on rates and terms.
Ensure financial transparency and strong governance practices.
Serve as one of the primary event leads for high-profile meetings and events.
Direct venue and vendor teams through all planning phases and on-site execution.
Partner with appropriate key stakeholders cross-functionally in Field Function, Strategic Communications, Marketing, S&P, Technology, CEE, and executive leaders to deliver event objectives.
Collaborate with association partners as primary liaisons on their conferences and closed meeting sessions during larger field events.
Co-lead live event execution with fun, creative, calm, decisive, and growth mindsets.
Troubleshoot complex attendee or program challenges in real time.
Prepare presentations for kick-off meetings, project plans, and conduct post-event analysis including ROI, attendee experience metrics, sustainability outcomes, and financial reconciliation.
Key driver in hotel and event vendor RFPs, rate evaluations/cost analysis, and contract negotiations.
Manage key vendor relationships once procured and evaluate vendor deliverables and performance.
When applicable, identify risks, contribute to contingency plans, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.
Consistently apply a growth mindset towards the business, function, and your development.