Event Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

RPStaffing is conducting an immediate temp-to-hire search for the Manager of Conferences & Events with a major trade association based in Washington, D.C. This role offers a hybrid work schedule, potential for professional growth and development, excellent benefits, and great work life balance. Apply today for immediate consideration!

***Candidates must be currently living in the Washington DC area***

Job Title: Manager of Conferences & Events

Status: Temp-to-Permanent

Hours: Full-time, M-F

Hybrid Status: Three days remote/ two days in the office (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Office Location: Washington, DC

Hourly Pay During Temporary Period: $25.00

Annual Salary When Permanent: $73,000 - $83,000, plus exceptional comprehensive benefits package

JOB SUMMARY

The Manager of Conferences & Events plays a key role in advancing the professional education portfolio by leading the planning and execution of educational programs while ensuring operational excellence across registration, customer service, and financial administration.

This role is both strategic and hands-on, overseeing end-to-end event delivery while serving as the primary point of contact for attendee support and registration operations. The Manager ensures a high-quality, seamless experience for members and stakeholders by maintaining rigorous processes, responsive service, and accurate financial and reporting practices. This role functions as both a strategic event manager and a hands-on operator, particularly during high-volume registration periods where direct execution is required to maintain service levels and financial accuracy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program & Event Management

• Plan, implement, and oversee in-person educational events; manage logistics, vendors, and onsite execution.
• Develop and manage event budgets, including forecasting, expense tracking, and financial reconciliation. Serve as primary onsite lead for assigned events, managing staff, vendors, and venue relationships. Manage speaker and SME engagement, including communications, deliverables, and compliance requirements. Stay informed on emerging trends in adult learning and instructional design to enhance program delivery.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Registration & Customer Experience

• Serve as the first line of defense for attendee inquiries via the general education inbox and phone line, ensuring timely, professional, and accurate responses.
• Oversee and execute all aspects of the registration lifecycle, including processing registrations, cancellations, substitutions, and refunds.
• Ensure accurate attendee categorization, eligibility validation, and payment processing across all events.
• Proactively identify and resolve attendee issues; escalate complex cases as needed while maintaining a high standard of customer service.

Systems & Operational Excellence

• Own and optimize the event management system (e.g., Cadmium), ensuring accuracy, data integrity, and process efficiency.
• Ensure alignment between event systems and CRM platforms for accurate attendee and membership data.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve reporting, and enhance the attendee experience through technology and process improvements.

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage attendee communications across the event lifecycle, including confirmations, updates, and post-event follow-up.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure successful program delivery.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, association management, or related field and 4+ years of experience in organizing educational meetings, coordinating CLE programs, or managing event logistics.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. This description was prepared by RPStaffing and is subject to change. This has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This job may be modified at any time by adding or removing duties. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Positions listed as “remote” often require occasional office days. Benefits, hours, duties, remote status, and locations are subject to change. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.