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Event Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing and executing banquet and event operations with precision and professionalism. This role ensures that all front-of-house (FOH) elements, service ...

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Evanston, IL · On-site

$73K - $75K/yr

Provide operational support for executive education programs, conferences, meetings, and special events. * Manage staffing assignments, weekly staffing schedules, and daily building schedule to ...

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Evanston, IL · On-site

$73K - $75K/yr

Provide operational support for executive education programs, conferences, meetings, and special events. * Manage staffing assignments, weekly staffing schedules, and daily building schedule to ...

Minimum 2-5 years of experience in hotel event services, banquet operations, or hospitality management * Strong organizational and multitasking abilities * Excellent communication, leadership, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Event Operations Manager information

See Illinois salary details

$20.4K

$58.2K

$88.7K

How much do event operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for event operations manager in Illinois is $58,198.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $68,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an event operations manager do?

An Event Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of events to ensure everything runs smoothly. Their duties include managing logistics, supervising staff, coordinating with vendors, and addressing any issues that arise during the event. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and ensure that each event meets expectations and stays within budget. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an event operations manager?

To thrive as an Event Operations Manager, you need strong organizational skills, event planning experience, and often a degree in hospitality, event management, or a related field. Familiarity with event management software, budgeting tools, and logistics platforms is typically required. Outstanding communication, problem-solving abilities, and leadership are essential soft skills for managing teams and client relationships. These skills ensure smooth event execution, client satisfaction, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges effectively.

What are some common challenges event operations managers face during large-scale events, and how can they effectively address them?

Event Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as last-minute changes, vendor delays, and coordination of large teams during high-profile events. To address these, it's essential to maintain detailed contingency plans, foster clear communication with all stakeholders, and stay adaptable under pressure. Building strong relationships with vendors and ensuring regular briefings with the event team can help mitigate disruptions and keep the event running smoothly.

What is the difference between Event Operations Manager vs Event Coordinator?

AspectEvent Operations ManagerEvent Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees overall event logistics, manages teams, and ensures smooth executionAssists with planning, coordinates vendors, and manages event setup
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, problem-solvingCommunication, organization, multitasking
Work EnvironmentManagement level, often in office and on-sitePrimarily on-site during events
CertificationsEvent planning or management certifications preferredEntry-level certifications or experience often sufficient

The Event Operations Manager typically holds a higher-level role with responsibilities for overseeing entire events and managing teams, while the Event Coordinator focuses on assisting with planning and executing specific event tasks. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but the manager position involves more leadership and strategic oversight.

What are the most commonly searched types of Event Operations jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Event Operations jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Event Operations Manager jobs in Illinois?

For Event Operations Manager jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Event Operations Manager jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Event Operations Manager jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Event Operations Manager jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Event Operations Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Event Operations Manager job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,198 per year, or $28 per hour.

Sr. Manager, Enterprise Event Strategy and Operations

Lund Boats

Mettawa, IL • On-site

$103K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Are you ready for what's next?

Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond. Brunswick believes "Next Never Rests," and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation.

Location:Mettawa, Illinois

Workplace Category: Hybrid 3x per week in office

Travel Required:Yes

Pay Range:$103,200-144,000

Visa Sponsorship:Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Innovationis the heart of Brunswick.Seehowyourcontributionswillhelptransform vision into reality:

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Director, Enterprise Marketing Operations, the Sr. Manager, Enterprise Event Strategy and Operations is a detail-oriented marketing professional responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and optimization of Brunswick enterprise events across its portfolio of brands. This role is focused on driving cross-functional efficiencies, standardization, and high-quality execution across all event initiatives.

Partnering closely with division event leadership, this individual brings strong experience in conference and tradeshow management, vendor selection, and marketing communications. The Sr. Manager will lead cross-division event operations, define and measure success metrics, and ensure effective execution of event strategies. This role may require travel and on-site execution for large-scale meetings and events.

At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver.

Essential Functions:

    • Identify and drive opportunities to improve cross-division processes and governance, enhancing collaboration and cost efficiency
    • Manage medium- to large-scale, complex event programs through their full lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, and closure)
    • Lead vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing management for hotels, tradeshows, exhibit partners, and other suppliers
    • Support development, management, and tracking of enterprise-level event budgets to maximize efficiencies across the organization
    • Ensure all planning milestones are achieved and aligned with enterprise objectives
    • Track and document event expenditures; support post-event reporting and consolidated business insights for senior leadership
    • Demonstrate strong time management skills to effectively manage multiple projects at varying stages
    • Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with marketing, category teams, procurement, accounting, legal, IT, and external vendors
    • Partner closely with brand and division event teams to coordinate logistics, product support, and stakeholder alignment
    • Balance strategic thinking with strong attention to detail to ensure flawless execution

Diversityofthought and experiencesisfundamental whenimaginingthe unimaginable.Certain skillsets/experiencesare necessary;however,others can be developedalong the way.

Required Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree

    • 10+ years of marketing experience, with strong exposure to event strategy and operations

    • Proven experience managing complex events, conferences, or tradeshow programs

    • Strong analytical skills with experience using metrics to drive continuous improvement

    • Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives and influence cross-functional stakeholders

    • Ability to perform effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

    • Strong organizational and project management skills

    • Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

    • Passion for the Brunswick portfolio of brands and delivering exceptional customer experiences

Theanticipatedpay range for this position is$103,200-144,000annually. The actual base pay offeredwillvary depending on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills,relevantexperience, business needs,andgeographic location.In addition to base pay, this positioniseligible foran annual discretionarybonus.

At Brunswick, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of thesalaryrange for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent uponthe specifics of the candidate's qualifications and the business context.

This position iseligible to participate in Brunswick'scomprehensiveandhigh-qualitybenefitsofferings,includingmedical, dental, vision,paidvacation, 401k (up to4% match), HealthSavingsAccount(with company contribution),wellbeing program,product purchasediscountsand much more.Details about our benefits can be foundhere.

Why Brunswick:

Whatever tomorrow brings, we'll be at the leading edge.As the clear leader in the marine industry, we're committed to our values and supporting our exceptional people. We offer and encourage growth opportunities within and across our many brands. In addition, we're proud of being recognized for making a splash withnumerous awards!

Next is Now!


We value growth and development, recognizing that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying.

Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to innovation and inspiration and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact hrsharedservices@brunswick.comfor support.

For more information about EEO laws, - click here

Brunswick Corporation participates in E-Verify as part of our commitment to a lawful and transparent hiring process. For additional information click here: https://www.brunswick.com/e-verify.

Brunswick and Workday Privacy Policies

Brunswick does not accept applications, inquiries or solicitations from unapproved staffing agencies or vendors. For help, please contact our support team at: hrsharedservices@brunswick.com or 866-278-6942.

All job offers will come to you via the candidate portal you create when applying through a posted position through https:///www.brunswick.com/careers. If you are ever unsure about what is being required of you during the application process or its source, please contact HR Shared Services at 866-278-6942 or HRSharedServices@brunswick.com.

#Brunswick Corporation