Event Design Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

At EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.

At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other-that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employees by checking out our recent awards.

For more information, visit our Careers page.

The Role in Brief:

Senior Manager, Events

Are you passionate about creating exceptional experiences? The Events team is responsible for the strategy, planning, and execution of more than 100 in-person events annually, including large-scale conferences, executive roundtables, international summits, internal celebrations, and incentive trips. We lead with an innovative approach, attention to detail, and unparalleled service.

Working collaboratively across teams, the Senior Manager will be critical in shaping and executing high-impact events that engage diverse audiences and amplify EAB's mission. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by driving innovation and operational excellence in event management.

The position is based in Washington, DC or open to remote work for internal applicants.

This position is also posted at the Manager level; candidates are being considered at both levels for the current opening.

Primary Responsibilities

• Strategy and Execution

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex, multi-day, hybrid events with breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and high production value.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the firm to ensure event goals align with organizational priorities and attendee expectations.
• Help shape the overall vision for event strategies, integrating creativity and experiential and innovative elements into programming and design.
• Event Management
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and production documents, ensuring deadlines are met, and stakeholder needs are addressed.
• Oversee all logistical aspects of assigned events, including catering, AV, vendor coordination, supply management, and onsite execution.
• Review and approve event documentation, such as Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) and venue contracts, ensuring alignment with event goals.
• Manage hotel room blocks, speaker travel, and attendee accommodations to provide a seamless experience.
• Collaboration and Communication
• Partner with marketing and content teams to create attendee communication plans that integrate event logistics and promotional messaging.
• Facilitate collaboration among cross-functional teams to ensure parallel workstreams progress smoothly.
• Act as a key liaison with external vendors, negotiating contracts and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Budget and Operational Excellence
• Manage event budgets, balancing efficiency with the need to deliver high-quality attendee experiences.
• Provide financial updates to leadership throughout the planning process and reconcile post-event expenses.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining the integrity of event design and objectives.
• Continuous Improvement
• Evaluate event success and gather feedback to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Stay informed on emerging event trends, technologies, and best practices, applying them to enhance EAB's event portfolio.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5+ years of experience managing large-scale in-person events (500+ attendees)
• Demonstrated expertise in logistics management, including catering, AV, production, hotel blocks, and vendor coordination.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and
• Excellent critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills; someone who 'thinks outside the box.'
• Willing to travel up to 40% (~1-2 times per month) domestically to conferences and EAB events
• Comfortable standing and walking for extended periods during events.
• Comfortable with physically transporting items and equipment from one location to another as well as bending, reaching, and climbing smaller ladders during setup.
• Location Requirements:
• Must be able to support meetings nationwide, with flexibility to travel as required by event locations.
• Some job activities may be required outside of typical workdays/hours.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Direct experience working with third-party event production teams
• Familiarity with event registration platforms
• Experience planning hybrid events.
• Background in hospitality.
• Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB's mission, values, and aspiration.

If you've reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do! At EAB, we welcome diversity of backgrounds and experience. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.

Compensation:

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $47,500 - $70,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. At EAB, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the starting salary range for their role.

This hire will additionally be eligible for discretionary bonus or incentive compensation. Variable compensation may depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

Benefits:

Consistent with our belief that our employees are our most valuable resource, EAB offers a competitive and inclusive benefits package. Our benefits currently include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
• Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with annual discretionary company matching contribution
• Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plans
• Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate family
• Wellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance
• Paid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Access to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travel
• Discounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family members
• Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Financial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount program
• Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunities

Benefits kick in day one; learn more at eab.com/careers/benefits.

This opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time; EAB will thus consider candidates who possess U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to "make education smarter and our communities stronger" we need team members who bring a diversity of perspectives to the table and are committed to fostering a workplace where each team member is valued, respected and heard.

To that end, EAB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. We don't discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.