Senior Global Events Operations Lead

About the role

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid – minimum 3 days onsite per week). Contract duration: 14 months with potential for extension and/or conversion. Travel: approximately 25% domestic and international business travel. The Fountain Group is hiring for a prominent client in the enterprise technology and industrial automation industry. We are seeking an experienced Senior Global Events Operations Lead to support the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale corporate conferences and global events.

Responsibilities

• Execute established global event strategies by developing actionable timelines, tracking milestones, and coordinating event deliverables.
• Support the end-to-end planning and execution of large-scale corporate conferences and events with 1,000+ attendees.
• Manage day-to-day event operations, ensuring successful coordination of logistics, vendors, registration, production, and onsite activities.
• Represent the Global Events team in planning meetings, collaborating with stakeholders and senior leadership to communicate updates and drive deliverables.
• Take operational ownership of assigned corporate events, including venue sourcing, registration platforms, production coordination, and post-event follow-up.
• Oversee sponsorship operations, including sponsor coordination, contract management, and related event deliverables.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to develop engaging event content that aligns with corporate messaging and business objectives.
• Manage large-scale event budgets, track expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and maintain high-quality attendee experiences.
• Coordinate procurement activities, Master Service Agreements (MSAs), vendor contracts, and venue negotiations.
• Collaborate with production teams, external vendors, and internal departments to ensure seamless event execution.
• Support onsite event operations and travel as needed for global corporate events.
• Identify opportunities to improve event processes, operational efficiency, and overall attendee experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing large-scale corporate conferences with 1,000+ attendees.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing complex corporate events from start to finish.
• Strong background in event operations, logistics, venue sourcing, and vendor management.
• Experience negotiating contracts, coordinating procurement processes, and managing Master Service Agreements (MSAs).
• Proven experience managing large event budgets while maintaining quality and controlling costs.
• Experience working with event production teams and managing event registration platforms.
• Knowledge of corporate sponsorship management, including sponsor coordination and contract administration.
• Strong project management, organizational, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence interacting with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments, cultures, and global teams.
• Proactive, adaptable, and hands-on approach with the ability to quickly learn new processes and take ownership of deliverables.
• Strong understanding of current corporate event trends, best practices, and attendee engagement strategies.
• Ability to work onsite in Chicago at least 3 days per week and travel approximately 25% as required.

Pay

Pay Rate: $32.00‑$34.00 per hour.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule requiring a minimum of 3 days onsite per week in Chicago, IL.