The Event Manager is responsible for the strategic development, planning, execution, and evaluation of large-scale conferences, meetings, and special events. This role requires strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills to oversee every aspect of the event lifecycle, from concept through close-out. The Event Manager will collaborate with sponsors, venues, vendors, and internal Event Team members to deliver seamless, high-quality experiences that meet sponsor objectives and exceed participant expectations.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized professional with proven event management experience, strong fiscal oversight abilities, and the capacity to supervise and support teams in fast-paced, complex environments. Extensive travel is required during peak event seasons.

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The Event Manager is responsible for the strategic development, planning, execution, and evaluation of large-scale conferences, meetings, and special events. This role requires strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills to oversee every aspect of the event lifecycle, from concept through close-out. The Event Manager will collaborate with sponsors, venues, vendors, and internal Event Team members to deliver seamless, high-quality experiences that meet sponsor objectives and exceed participant expectations. The ideal candidate is a highly organized professional with proven event management experience, strong fiscal oversight abilities, and the capacity to supervise and support teams in fast-paced, complex environments. Extensive travel is required during peak event seasons.

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Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree

• Experience:

  • 3-5 years of direct event planning experience, preferred in convention and conference planning, or

  • 5-7 years experience in a related field with proven accomplishments and documented responsibilities

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • High level of leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills

  • Adaptability, flexibility, and time management skills to be successful in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines

  • Project management skills to keep multiple assignments on track, including budget planning, project planning, and task management

  • Technology skills including use of Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite

  • Ability to think critically and creatively

  • Customer service and communication skills including written and verbal, active listening, giving/taking feedback, collaboration, networking

  • Decision-making and negotiation skills

  • Ability to analyze data

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree

• Experience: 3-5 years in convention and conference planning

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Cvent software, specifically Event Management, AttendeeHub, and OnArrival

  • Collecting and analyzing data

  • Extensive experience with Microsoft programs like Teams, Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

  • Google Suite

  • Scheduling and hosting virtual meetings

  • Contract negotiations especially in regards to hotel and venue concessions

  • Web design platforms like WordPress

  • Graphic design software like Abode Illustrator, InDesign, and PhotoShop

Work Location

• Location: Tennessee

• Remote

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range:
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before [DATE]

• Resume
• Cover Letter

• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

Founded in 1988, CLEE is a recognized leader in adult learning, education, and workforce development, driving meaningful change in Tennessee and across the U.S. With a team that spans Tennessee and beyond, we collaborate with state and national institutions, early childhood programs, K-12 and post-secondary schools, service agencies, employers, and workforce organizations.

Our team’s passion to create change drives our innovation and excellence in all we do. This commitment fuels our work towards empowering every individual with limitless opportunities to thrive at all stages of life. We prioritize individuals from all backgrounds, with deep expertise in supporting people with disabilities and underserved populations.

Committed to staying at the forefront of emerging research, we partner with a wide variety of organizations, including those across the University of Tennessee system and beyond, to advance best practices in adult learning, education, and employment.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

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Event Management:

• As a lead event planner, have the ability to manage an event from strategic development through execution and post-event close-out.

• Perform a variety of event tasks including procurement of vendors, management of event sessions and presenters, registration management, event communication management, and on-site event management

• Ability to act as event support: receive, accept, and execute assignments and tasks from a lead event planner.

• Collaborate with contract sponsor(s) and Event Team to develop the event timeline, key tasks, logistic plans, and set clear objectives.

• Ensure cohesiveness and detailed planning for large scale events that require collaboration between sponsor(s), Event Team, venues, caterers, exposition services vendors, audio/visual vendors, etc.

• Monitor and adhere to all event timelines throughout the lifecycle of all assigned events/tasks.

• Conduct logistics/planning meetings with sponsor(s), Event Team, event venues, and vendors

• Ability to travel extensively during peak event seasons.

Supervision of Event Team(s):

• Communicate event schedule/timeline to Event Team and accept accountability for ensuring event(s) remain/s on schedule.

• Communicate schedule/timeline changes, as needed, to sponsor(s) and Event Team.

• Ability to effectively delegate and assign tasks and responsibilities to Event Team members and vendors and provide support as needed to ensure that event tasks are completed to sponsor(s)'s satisfaction and on time

• Ability to manage team members on-site during an event

Fiscal Management:

• Manage event components and vendor services to ensure that event costs are in alignment with project budget.

• Communicate to sponsors(s) and Associate Director potential cost increases and obtain the applicable level of approval for additional event costs prior to occurrence.

• Use Event Team expense tracker to document all event(s) expenditures

• Initiate and support management and execution of vendor contracts.