Freelance Event Marketing Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Gusto
At Gusto, we're on a mission to grow the small business economy. We handle the hard stuff - payroll, health insurance, 401(k)s, and HR - so owners can focus on their craft and their customers. With teams in Denver, San Francisco, and New York, we support more than 500,000 small businesses nationwide and are building a workplace that reflects the people we serve.
All full-time employees receive competitive base pay, benefits, and equity (RSUs) - because everyone who helps build Gusto should share in its success. Offer amounts are determined by role, level, and location. Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy.
AI is a fundamental part of how work gets done at Gusto. We expect all team members to actively engage with AI tools relevant to their role and grow their fluency as the technology evolves. AI experience requirements vary by role and will be assessed during the interview process.
About the Role:
We're looking for an Event Marketing Manager to bring Gusto to life through bold, memorable events and experiences.
This is a highly visible, strategic role responsible for designing, producing, and optimizing event marketing programs-from trade shows and industry conferences to Gusto-owned activations and experiences. You'll plan, execute, and optimize event marketing campaigns as part of a cross-functional go-to-market team, turning strategy into on-the-ground execution that builds brand affinity and builds pipeline.
About the Team:
This role is part of the go-to-market team responsible for driving pipeline and fueling growth across Gusto's channels. We combine creativity, data-driven insights, and cross-functional collaboration to design campaigns that reach, engage, and convert the right audiences at scale. Together, we've helped Gusto grow to serve hundreds of thousands of customers nationwide, and we're just getting started.
Here's what you'll do day-to-day:

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and leadership to set goals, develop event strategies, execute plans, and evaluate performance to drive continuous improvement over time.
• Build and manage end-to-end event campaign programs including scopes of work, resource plans, budgets, contracts, and timelines-keeping everything on track and on budget.
• Leverage a deep understanding of Gusto's internal and external market positioning and target audiences to inform event decisions, from format and venue selection to messaging and audience targeting.
• Design and produce a range of event types-from large-scale owned events (500+ attendees) to trade show activations, field events, and intimate customer experiences-that strengthen brand affinity and accelerate funnel impact.
• Build strong relationships with external partners including industry and show organizers, agencies, and vendors, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring seamless delivery.
• Assemble the right internal and external resources for each opportunity, fostering collaboration and creative excellence with Gusto's creative teams, agencies, and production partners.
• Maintain accuracy and accountability of event budgets, evaluate results against goals, deliver wrap-up reports, and make recommendations to senior leadership for Event Marketing.
• Build upon and advocate for the event marketing and production craft and vision at Gusto-championing breakthrough experience design, emerging event technology, and innovative production approaches.
• Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance event marketing workflows-from audience analysis and content personalization to post-event reporting and campaign optimization-driving efficiency and deeper insights across the event lifecycle.

Here's what we're looking for:

• A track record of producing a wide range of events (trade shows, activations, conferences, owned events for 500+ attendees, and white-glove experiences) across varying levels of complexity, scale, and design.
• A passion for event marketing and production with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on in execution-you move effortlessly between big-picture strategy and intricate operational details.
• Strong project management and communication skills with a proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders at all levels and across different geographies, keeping complex programs running on time and on budget.
• Experience managing and collaborating with internal creative teams and external agencies, driving alignment and excellence in production delivery.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about breakthrough experience design and emerging event technology, always looking for new ways to elevate the craft.
• A natural cross-functional collaborator who thrives on building and maintaining relationships across the organization to drive results.
• An intellectually curious self-starter who isn't afraid to ask questions and uses answers to bring clarity and direction to the broader team.
• AI fluency and a willingness to integrate AI-powered tools into your workflow to work smarter and unlock new possibilities.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while building scalable programs and processes.
• Note: this role requires frequent travel throughout North America.

Compensation
Our cash compensation amount for this role is $129,000/yr to $157,000/yr in Denver and Scottsdale and $154,000/yr to $188,000/yr for San Francisco & New York. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate location, experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.
Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto's subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.
Note: The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.
When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required. This includes non-office days for hybrid employees.
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for small businesses, you will find a home at Gusto.
Gusto is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Gusto considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gusto is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. We want to see our candidates perform to the best of their ability. If you require a medical or religious accommodation at any time throughout your candidate journey, please fill out this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.
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