Senior Manager, Events Management

Senior Manager, Events Management

Let's be unstoppable together!

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers. Our predictive analytics and Liquid Data platform help clients measure market share, uncover consumer behavior, and drive growth-powered by six decades of expertise and an expansive, high-quality data set.

At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives.  We're a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work.  Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Circana is proud to be Certified by Great Place To Work. This prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Circana. Learn more at www.circana.com.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Events Management is responsible for planning and executing corporate meetings, conferences, client events, and strategic programs. This role independently manages assigned event programs and key workstreams, ensuring operational excellence and successful delivery against established event strategies.

Reporting to the Senior Director II, Events Management, this role plays a key part in registration management, vendor coordination, onsite support, and post-event follow-up. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and service-driven, with hands-on experience managing corporate events from planning through execution. This individual will help strengthen event processes and operational rigor while delivering exceptional experiences for attendees, clients, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Program Management

• Manage the planning and execution of assigned meetings, conferences, incentive programs, and corporate events aligned to established business objectives and event strategies.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, communication strategies, and execution frameworks to support successful event delivery.
• Partner with business stakeholders and cross-functional teams to support event objectives, attendee experience requirements, and successful execution.
• Recommend process improvements, identify operational efficiencies, and contribute to implementing event management best practices.
• Apply industry best practices to help strengthen event processes, operational rigor, and consistency across programs and workstreams.

Venue, Hotel & Destination Management

• Work with the Senior Director to manage room block administration, housing coordination, attendee accommodations, and related reporting.

• Collaborate to manage venue operations, including space planning, meeting room layouts, food and beverage requirements, signage plans, transportation logistics, and accessibility considerations.

• Support venue sourcing activities and assist with contract review, negotiation, and supplier management processes.

• Review and manage event deliverables, including rooming lists, Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), and venue specifications, to support successful event execution.

• Work with destination partners, convention and visitors bureaus, and hospitality providers to enhance attendee experiences and optimize event outcomes.

Budget Management & Financial Oversight

• Manage approved event budgets and ensure spending aligns with established financial guidelines, while maintaining exceptional attendee experiences.
• Monitor event expenditures, forecast costs, track budget variances, and identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee invoice processing, contract compliance, and financial reconciliation processes to ensure accuracy and timely reporting.
• Prepare budget updates, variance reporting, and reconciliation summaries for leadership review.

Onsite Event Leadership

• Support onsite event operations as part of a broader event team, exercising sound judgment on routine operational matters and escalating significant business, financial, legal, or reputational risks as appropriate.

• Coordinate vendors, contractors, temporary staff, and onsite resources to support flawless event execution and achievement of event objectives.

• Manage VIP and executive experiences, speaker logistics, crisis response, and real-time issue resolution.

• Maintain composure and sound decision-making in fast-paced environments while navigating changing priorities and unexpected event challenges.

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, risk management standards, and organizational policies during all event activities.

Team Collaboration & Growth

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners.

• Support events and team members as needed during peak periods.

• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow within your role.

• Share event management best practices and contribute to the continued development of team capabilities and operational standards.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered.
• 4-6+ years of progressive experience managing corporate meetings, conferences, incentive programs, or experiential events.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple events simultaneously, including ownership of event logistics, budgets, vendors, and onsite execution.
• Experience with venue sourcing, contract negotiation, housing management, registration management, supplier management, and event procurement processes.
• Financial acumen with experience developing, managing, and reconciling event budgets.
• Proficiency with event technology platforms, including Cvent, registration systems, mobile event applications, reporting tools, and related event technologies.
• Strong project management, organizational, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to remain composed, adaptable, and solution-oriented while managing competing priorities in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support event execution, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must possess a valid passport, or be eligible and legally authorized to obtain one for international business travel.

Circana Behaviors

Beyond technical skills, experience, and role-specific attributes, these shared behaviors are fundamental to our culture and success. We seek individuals who consistently demonstrate and champion these behaviors in their daily work:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions.
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action.
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices.
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers.
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement.
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect, and integrity.
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone.

Location

• This position can be located remotely within the U.S. and must be able to work primarily within Central or Eastern Time business hours. Candidates located in the Chicago, IL area are strongly preferred, but location is not required.
• This role requires domestic and international travel to support onsite event execution. Candidates must possess a valid passport or be eligible and legally authorized to travel internationally for business purposes.

The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. The salary range for this role is $85,000 - $100,000 USD. This role is also eligible for bonus pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

An offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice. Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

You can apply for this role through the Circana careers website or Intranet site for internal candidates. This role is subject to AI-assisted screening. Circana uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess resumes for alignment with job requirements by helping locate details in resumes that relate to the job description.

This position is expected to remain open for approximately 30 days and may close earlier if sufficient qualified candidates are identified.

#LI-JP1