Event Management Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The Partnerships & Events Specialist will drive Oxford’s market growth objectives by planning and executing microevents, conference, panels and partnership opportunities that build brand equity, foster Managing Director (MD) referral networks and attract new business opportunities. In addition to event management, the role also leads direct mail strategy and initiatives designed to increase awareness and strengthen relationships with prospects, client and centers of influence (COIs). This individual manages all event-related agency partnerships, including overseeing and directing work from the firm’s agency partners, and provides seamless integration between agency output and the firm’s overall marketing vision. Finally, the role will be responsible for firmwide branded merchandise (“swag”) and client gifting program, ensuring all touchpoints reflect the highest standard of Oxford’s brand. This team member works in close alignment with the Chief Development Officer, market Managing Director teams, Marketing & Communications (MarComm) team and key internal stakeholders to ensure brand integrity and measurable business impact.

Market Events Strategy & Execution

• Design and execute a calendar of high impact microevents for Oxford markets and Managing Director referral networks, conferences for attendance, speaking and sponsorship, embodying Oxford’s differentiated standard of luxury and hospitality. These should be aligned with the Strategic Marketing Plan to grow the new business pipeline for Oxford (25 Client Suspects / annually)
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer and Managing Directors to align events with core business and market expansion objectives, including event attendance to prospect conversion rates
• Oversee all event logistics, vendor selection, onsite execution, guest lists, communications and experience design

Budget & Vendor Management

• Develop, manage, and reconcile events and direct mail budgets for multiple regional experiences and campaigns annually
• Cultivate strong vendor relationships to ensure logistical excellence, cost efficiency and innovation
• Manage budget adherence and allocation for market-specific Sponsorship and Charitable Contributions, in partnership with MDs and Oxford’s Finance team

Agency Collaboration & Project Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact and project lead for agency partners, Y&L and Ficomm
• Direct agency involvement in any brand partnership activations, microevents strategy, creative development, communications and event materials and content
• Ensure agency output is aligned to Oxford’s brand standards and event objectives

Direct Mail Strategy, Branded Merchandise & Gifting

• Develop and implement a proactive direct mail program to build meaningful engagement with prospects and COIs throughout the year. Oversee campaign design, mailing list management, creative approvals, production, and delivery logistics
• Collaborate with MarComm and agency partners to ensure messaging consistency
• Establish a catalog of Oxford branded merchandise to be distributed to new Associates during onboarding and surprise and delight distribution touchpoints throughout the year
• Curate a replicable gifting program, in tandem with direct mail and branded merchandise initiatives, to be accessed and distributed to Luxe and Exeter-level clients throughout the year. This program should be initiated in partnership with Chief Development Officer and executed in collaboration, with regular touchpoints, with the MD team

Brand Compliance & Collaboration

• Work alongside the MarComm team to ensure all events, direct mail, and related materials adhere to Oxford brand standards
• Serve as a brand steward for all market activation touchpoints

Measurement & Reporting

• Establish, monitor, and report on event- and conference-specific KPIs and desired business outcomes
• Track all invitees, attendance and follow-up communications in Salesforce to ensure accuracy and measure ROI
• Develop any new campaigns or contact architecture enhancements within the Salesforce ecosystem, in collaboration with Salesforce and Technology partners, to track and analyze attendee interests for event concepting and curation
• Prepare postmortem event, conference and direct mail campaign reports for leadership with actionable recommendations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Event Management, Communications or related field
• 5+ years of experience executing business development or B2B events, ideally for financial or professional services firms
• Demonstrated experience managing agency partners for event-related or direct mail projects
• Knowledge of direct mail strategy, list segmentation, campaign deployment and impact evaluation
• Expertise in project management, Salesforce tracking and reporting and vendor negotiation
• Proven ability to deliver personalized, high-touch experiences and campaigns on a scale
• Strong analytical, communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently and adapt to evolving business priorities
• A team-oriented, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, innovative environment

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Extensive computer and phone usage
• Schedule must be flexible to accommodate business needs
• 100% onsite
• Travel required for market events, not CARE Crew-related (20-30% travel per quarter)