Events Manager - Development

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $65,000 to $70,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process.

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Events Manager is responsible for the logistical planning, production, execution, and evaluation of high-impact, donor-facing, sponsorship, and internal events that support the institution’s mission and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This role serves as a project leader on assigned fundraising & engagement events, managing projects from concept to completion. The Events Manager will partner with internal teams, sponsors, vendors, and venues to deliver exceptional experiences while maintaining budget, timelines, and operational excellence. They will be responsible for delivering a portfolio of fundraising and engagement events reflective of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) brand, while supporting a significant ecosystem of relationships, such as vendor and agency relationships, sponsorship partnerships, and thousands of annual attendee touchpoints, ensuring exceptional guest experiences that advance our fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and organizational objectives.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage end-to-end planning and execution of assigned key signature fundraising events, sponsorship activations, hospitality events, client programs and internal meetings.

• Develop event timelines, run-of-shows, and staffing plans. Lead event production planning and execution, coordinating venue, audiovisual, staging, creative, and logistical workstreams across multiple events and stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and align stakeholders on deliverables, timelines, and expectations, including venue sourcing, contract negotiations, catering, audiovisual production, transportation, accommodations, and on-site logistics.
• Oversee attendee experience, registration, logistics, and on-site event operations.
• Ensure events are executed on time, within budget, and aligned with institutional goals.
• Identify risks, solve operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee event sponsorship fulfillment and ensure delivery of partner benefits and brand commitments.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and fulfill sponsorship opportunities and event deliverables.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors, donors, venues, suppliers, and event service providers.
• Act as a strategic partner in developing audience growth strategies to increase participation across fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and sponsorship events.
• Partner with Development, Marketing Communications, and key stakeholders to drive attendee acquisition, registration goals, and audience engagement.
• Monitor and analyze event attendance trends, audience demographics, and engagement metrics to inform event strategy and maximize participation. Measure audience retention, repeat attendance, and engagement outcomes to drive continuous improvement across our event portfolio.
• Track and report key event metrics and ROI.
• Manage and support audience management efforts, including guest list strategy, seating architecture, guest registration performance, and partner with internal resources on attendee communications.
• Support and oversee VIP, donor, sponsor, and stakeholder experiences that help to strengthen relationships and advance fundraising objectives.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio of event vendors, agencies, production partners, and service providers, ensuring high-quality execution, accountability, and cost-effective performance, maintaining strong relationships while identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and event outcomes.
• Implement best practices, post-event evaluations, and continuous improvement processes to strengthen operational performance and elevate the attendee experience.
• Track event expenses, process invoices, and reconcile final event costs. Identify opportunities for cost savings while maintaining high-quality experiences.
• Monitor financial performance and provide budget updates to leadership.
• Manage multiple concurrent events and projects in various stages of planning and execution.
• Manage on-site event operations, ensure all event elements are executed according to plan and organizational standards. Resolve issues quickly and professionally while maintaining a positive guest experience and serve as the primary escalation point while executing assigned events. Anticipate and mitigate operational risks through effective contingency planning.
• Manage event staff, vendors, volunteers, and temporary personnel.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing corporate events, conferences, sponsorship programs, or hospitality events.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with registration and event management platforms, such as Cvent
• Knowledge of fundraising, sponsorship fulfillment, and partner activation programs.
• Experience managing executive level and VIP events.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification or equivalent event industry credential.
• Experience with event analytics and reporting tools.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to show a high level of service responsiveness to customers.
• Must have a demonstrated history of improved guest experience with measurable results.
• Strong budget management and vendor negotiation experience.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment and maintain collaborative relationships with all members of the team.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work nights and weekends as required to business needs.
• Regular work requires using a computer in excess of eight (8) hours per day.
• Overnight domestic travel required on an intermittent basis.
• Ability to lift and carry up to twenty-five (25) pounds.