Event Marketing Manager

ROLE OVERVIEW
The Event Marketing Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing high-impact live and virtual events that drive brand visibility, customer engagement, and business growth. This is not a behind-the-scenes role, you will own the end-to-end event process, from strategy to logistics, while managing a team and key vendors.

You’ll need to roll up your sleeves to get things done, but also think strategically to scale and elevate our event presence. This role reports directly to Chief Marketing Officer and plays a critical part in connecting our brand with audiences in real-time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a comprehensive event strategy to meet business goals, operational, financial, and promotional.
• Plan and manage all logistics for in-person and virtual events including scheduling, registration, transportation, accommodations, AV/tech setup, catering, and on-site coordination.
• Coordinate travel logistics for event attendees, including booking flights, rental cars, lodging, and managing related communications.
• Conduct rehearsals, tech checks, and contingency planning to ensure smooth execution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, sales, and operations to align events with company initiatives.
• Manage relationships and negotiate contracts with vendors, venues, and service providers.
• Hire, train, and supervise part-time or temporary staff to support events.
• Own and manage event budgets, ensuring cost control while maximizing value.
• Analyze event ROI and implement improvements based on post-event evaluations.
• Serve as the first-level manager for event staff, responsible for performance, personnel actions, and professional development.

What Success Looks Like

• Events are executed flawlessly, on time and under budget.
• Post-event feedback shows high satisfaction from attendees and internal stakeholders.
• Event-driven leads or brand exposure show measurable impact.
• Vendors and team members are managed efficiently and with clear communication.
• You’re seen as a trusted leader who doesn’t just plan events—you build experiences that move the needle.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this role successfully, the individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; preferably in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in corporate event planning and management.
• Experience managing direct reports, contractors, and/or temporary staff.
• Proven experience managing large-scale event budgets and vendor negotiations.
• Experience with event marketing tools, registration software, CRM, and virtual event platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Clear, confident communication, both verbal and written.
• Ability to lead, manage, and motivate people across all levels.
• Cool under pressure, you don’t panic when the mic stops working.
• Creative problem-solver with a sharp eye for detail.
• Budget-savvy and ROI-focused.
• Willingness to travel frequently for events across the U.S.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is based primarily at our headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, with the expectation of being onsite 80–100% of the time, depending on the needs of the business. Occasional work-from-home flexibility may be permitted at the manager’s discretion, but remote work is not guaranteed. The role operates in a collaborative, team-oriented office environment, with regular in-person interaction and planning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This role involves a blend of office-based work and in-person event support. Candidates should be comfortable sitting or standing for extended periods during meetings, planning sessions, or event execution. Occasional physical activity is required, including walking long distances at event venues, standing for extended periods, and lifting or transporting materials weighing up to 25 pounds. The role may require navigating between indoor and outdoor environments and adapting to different event settings. Travel to multi-day events within the U.S. will be necessary several times per year, and candidates should be able to manage the physical demands of event setup, attendance, and breakdown as needed.

How We Work: The Flinn Formula
Success at Flinn isn’t just about what you achieve, but how you achieve it. Our cultural framework, the Flinn Formula, defines the behaviors that fuel our transformation:

• Solution-Oriented: You don’t just flag problems — you propose paths forward.
• Curious: You ask “why” and “what if,” pushing for smarter ways to work.
• Customer-Obsessed: You keep educators and students at the heart of every decision.
• Collaborative: You bring people together, even when perspectives differ.
• Resilient: You stay steady and push through challenges with urgency and grit.
• Invested: You own outcomes, follow through, and hold others to the same standard.

These behaviors are not aspirational – they are core expectations. Consistent misalignment with the Flinn Formula is considered a performance issue.