Event Manager

About the role

The Office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE) in the UW-Madison School of Education is seeking an experienced Event Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of a wide range of professional learning and community engagement events. This position independently manages events from conception through completion, serving as the primary liaison for internal and external partners, vendors, and attendees while ensuring events are delivered efficiently, professionally, and in alignment with organizational goals. The Event Manager oversees all aspects of event operations, including planning timelines, logistics, budgeting, vendor management, attendee communications, and onsite event support. The position also contributes to the continuous improvement of event planning processes and may provide supervision to event planning staff.

The Office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE) facilitates engaging and impactful learning experiences that connect communities with UW-Madison School of Education research, expertise, and resources. Through partnerships with faculty, staff, and community stakeholders, PLACE develops and supports programs in the arts, health, and education that improve quality of life throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures
• Monitors the budget and approves expenditures
• Establishes and sustains relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Establishes and executes day-to-day operational functions and goals of events to align with existing strategy
• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in in-person and event planning and management
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to think critically and strategically to solve problems
• The ability to thrive working in a deadline-driven environment both independently and as part of a team

Qualifications

• Experience planning for hybrid events
• Experience using registration management software
• Experience using project management software
• Experience following established policies and procedures to purchase goods and services
• An interest or background in the arts, health, and/or education
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Benefits

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Pay

Minimum: $60,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support event delivery.