Senior Meeting & Events Planner

Ripple Effect•Rockville, MD

9h•$84,687 - $97,390•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Meeting & Events Planner provides strategic and operational leadership for meetings and conventions on Ripple Effect’s Communications and Outreach team. The role oversees integrated event planning, budgets, quality assurance, and stakeholder coordination, while ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements and driving continuous improvement in event delivery. The planner works independently with broad guidance, serves as a primary decision-maker and escalation point for complex planning efforts, and leads team members through work assignment, performance management, mentoring, and issue resolution. Responsibilities include planning and implementing meetings and conventions; developing event schedules, budgets, work plans, and documentation; coordinating logistics and resources; analyzing event data and feedback; managing vendor contracts and relationships; and ensuring events meet quality standards and applicable requirements. The position also supports repeatable processes through organized records and advises management on process improvements and best practices. Other job-related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 6 years of relevant professional experience.
At least 2 years of project management experience.
Experience supporting meetings subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) or similar federal advisory committee requirements, including planning, documentation, public access, and compliance considerations.
Strong communication and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate with vendors and stakeholders, anticipate logistical challenges, and troubleshoot issues with guidance from senior staff.
Experience managing event budgets, timelines, production schedules, and project plans, including tracking expenses, purchase orders, invoices, and supporting budget reconciliation.
Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to execute instructions.
Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
Must reside in a U.S. location where Ripple Effect is authorized to employ staff; the company is currently unable to employ individuals whose primary residence is in California, New York, or Puerto Rico.

Nice To Haves

Intermediate experience with AI tools, including understanding their limitations and risks and applying them to project management tasks.
Meeting or event management certification, such as CMP, DES, CGMP, CPCE, or similar.

Responsibilities

Oversee the planning and implementation of meetings and conventions, coordinating across teams to ensure effective execution and quality standards.
Prepare and review event materials, including plans and status reports, and guide team members in stakeholder communications.
Develop integrated event schedules, manage resources and milestones, and ensure timely completion of event logistics and tasks.
Ensure meetings and events adhere to established quality standards and procedures, and implement corrective actions when needed.
Analyze event data and feedback, synthesize insights, and guide data-driven decisions to improve future events.
Develop and monitor event budgets, reallocate resources, address budget variances, and negotiate vendor contracts.
Ensure compliance with event-related regulatory and contractual requirements, coordinating with relevant departments and addressing potential issues.
Oversee preparation and organization of event plans, procedures, reports, and other documentation.
Lead event work-plan development and problem-solving, and advise management on process improvements and best practices.
Build relationships with internal departments and external partners, including venues, catering, transportation, and audiovisual providers.
Supervise team members, including assigning work, handling timekeeping and problem-solving, managing performance and quality, and providing training and mentoring.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.