Marketing - Sr Events Planner

Henderson Companies•Lenexa, KS

About The Position

The Sr Events Planner plans, programs, coordinates, and executes Henderson’s client events, thought-leadership summits, industry symposiums, tradeshows, and tactical business development initiatives. Working across marketing and business development functions, the role ensures events reinforce Henderson’s client experience promise and strengthen its market reputation. The planner combines detailed logistical execution with strategic event programming, impact measurement, and continuous improvement of event management standards and processes. Responsibilities include managing event logistics and budgets; selecting venues; establishing event procedures and training staff; overseeing on-site services; negotiating with vendors; and reporting spending. The role collaborates with marketing, client experience, and business development teams to set goals, audiences, and outcomes, and maintains an annual event plan. It coordinates agendas, speakers, and educational content, aligns stakeholders across sectors, and manages the event lifecycle. The planner also arranges travel and accommodations, manages invitations and RSVPs through CRM and event platforms, and supports a positive guest experience. After events, the role gathers feedback, prepares reports and ROI analysis, conducts reviews, and applies lessons learned to future planning.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in event planning or event management.
Experience in budget management and effective negotiation skills.
Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder events from concept through post-event analysis.
Demonstrated ability to develop event programming and coordinate content, speakers, and educational sessions for professional or industry audiences.
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent events and workstreams.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact confidently with senior leadership, clients, and other internal and external contacts.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CoPilot, and OneNote.
Proficiency with event management platforms such as Cvent, Eventbrite, or similar, and event registration software.
Experience working in a CRM system.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver under strict deadlines.
Positive, collaborative team-player attitude.
Proficiency in the core competencies described in the job description: communication, integrity, quality orientation, teamwork/inclusion, continuous learning, and functional/technical expertise.
Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.
Ability to travel for conferences, events, and tradeshows an estimated 8–12 or more times per year, including multi-day events in various locations.
Ability to work after core business hours as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends for event execution.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs with or without assistance.
Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Event planning or event management experience in a corporate environment or professional services industry such as engineering, construction, architecture, or law.
Proficiency managing attendee data, invite lists, and post-event follow-up through a CRM system.

Responsibilities

Coordinate event logistics and manage comprehensive event budgets.
Scout and select venues based on event objectives, theme, audience size, and geography.
Establish event standards and operating procedures and train internal staff to execute events.
Oversee on-site services, including catering, signage, entertainment, permits, decor, audiovisual services, and giveaways.
Troubleshoot event issues and negotiate contracts with vendors, venues, and service providers.
Track event spending against budgets and provide regular updates to leadership.
Collaborate with marketing, client experience, and business development teams to define event goals, target audiences, and desired outcomes.
Create and maintain an annual event plan for client appreciation events, summits, symposiums, open houses, networking engagements, and related events.
Conceptualize events with internal stakeholders and align them with go-to-market strategies and promotional campaigns.
Coordinate agendas, panel topics, educational content, and speaker logistics for thought-leadership and symposium events.
Coordinate cross-sector events and align stakeholder interests and promotional campaign goals.
Own the end-to-end event lifecycle and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve event outcomes.
Arrange travel, accommodations, and transportation for key personnel and clients attending events.
Manage invite lists, RSVPs, and attendee communications through CRM and event management platforms.
Address guest requests and requirements and create client-focused event touchpoints.
Design and distribute post-event attendee surveys with the client experience team.
Synthesize event feedback and prepare post-event reports with attendance data, attendee sentiment, key takeaways, and ROI analysis.
Conduct after-action reviews with stakeholders and apply lessons learned to future event planning.
Support the integration of event insights into client listening and client experience reporting.
Perform other duties as assigned.