Strategist, Event Experience Planning

Principal Financial Group • Des Moines, IA

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Strategist, Event Experience Planning independently plans and executes meetings, conferences, webinars, and events for internal and external stakeholders. The role delivers efficient solutions aligned with business needs and corporate brand strategy, partnering with business leaders and stakeholders to develop event strategies and create positive attendee experiences that support desired business outcomes.

The position manages end-to-end event logistics, including venues, vendors, speakers, technology, registration, food and beverage, transportation, onsite execution, budgets, and post-event evaluation. It also handles requests for proposals, vendor relationships, contracts, RSVPs, deposits, billing, and required documentation. The Strategist anticipates and resolves challenges, adapts to changing priorities, keeps deliverables on track, and travels onsite to support assigned events through execution.

The role is based in the Des Moines office with a hybrid arrangement of three days in the office and two days remotely. Some travel, including overnight stays, is required, up to 20%.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 4 years of related experience in conference, meeting, and/or event planning.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, respond to changing priorities, and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to travel, including overnight stays, up to 20%.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience planning external-facing events for clients, advisors, brokers, or similar audiences, translating business objectives into effective attendee experiences while managing event logistics.
• Experience with technology solutions, including Cvent and BigMarker.
• Experience creating event registration websites, mobile applications, and webinars.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan and execute conferences, meetings, webinars, and events while managing multiple priorities and timelines.
• Manage end-to-end event logistics, including venues, vendors, speakers, technology, registration, food and beverage, transportation, onsite execution, budgets, and post-event evaluation.
• Partner with business leaders and stakeholders to develop event strategies and deliver positive attendee experiences that support desired business outcomes.
• Manage requests for proposals, vendor relationships, contracts, RSVPs, deposits, billing, and required documentation.
• Anticipate and resolve event challenges, adapt to changing priorities, and keep deliverables on track.
• Travel onsite to support assigned events through execution.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for salaried exempt employees, with paid time away for vacation, personal needs, or short-term illness; time does not accrue and there is no set number of days.
• Pension eligibility.
• Comprehensive, competitive benefit offerings designed to support employees’ physical, financial, and social well-being.
• Opportunity for non-sales positions to participate in a bonus program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level