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Senior Event Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Milestone Systems

Event Specialist

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

$58K - $70K/yr

This position will join our Regional Marketing Americas team and will report to our Head of Regional Marketing Americas and work closely with our Senior Events Manager. The Events Specialist role is ...

Milestone Systems

Event Specialist

Lake Oswego, OR

$58K - $70K/yr

This position will join our Regional Marketing Americas team and will report to our Head of Regional Marketing Americas and work closely with our Senior Events Manager. The Events Specialist role is ...

New

CFS

Admin & Event Coordinator

Wilsonville, OR · On-site

Admin & Event Coordinator (Conference Support) Are you highly organized, detail-oriented, and ... Tia McKeen, Senior Managing Director - Staffing Timing is everything. Whether you are aggressively ...

PeaceHealth

Clinical Risk Manager Sr

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$48.52 - $72.78/hr

Conducts preliminary reviews of risk events and escalates complex or high-risk cases to the Senior Clinical Risk Manager and to local/. Works with the Senior Clinical Risk Manager to escalate to ...

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All JobsEvent JobsSenior Event Manager JobsSenior Event Manager Jobs in Portland, OR

Senior Event Manager information

See Portland, OR salary details

$23.9K

$125.4K

$222.7K

How much do senior event manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior event manager in Portland, OR is $125,414.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $89,600.00 and $153,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior event manager do?

A Senior Event Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale events, such as conferences, corporate meetings, weddings, or festivals. They are responsible for managing event budgets, negotiating with vendors, supervising event staff, and ensuring all logistics run smoothly. Additionally, they often handle client communications, troubleshoot issues in real time, and ensure that every event meets the client’s objectives and expectations. Their expertise is crucial for delivering memorable and successful events.

What are some typical challenges a senior event manager faces when coordinating large-scale events?

Senior Event Managers often encounter challenges such as managing tight deadlines, balancing client expectations with budget constraints, and overseeing multiple vendors simultaneously. Effective communication and proactive problem-solving are crucial, as unforeseen issues—like last-minute changes or technical glitches—can arise. Success in the role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to delegate tasks within a team, and adaptability to shifting priorities, especially when handling complex or high-profile events.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior event manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Event Manager, you need extensive experience in event planning, budget management, and vendor coordination, typically supported by a degree in hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with event management software (such as Cvent or Eventbrite), project management tools, and relevant certifications (like CMP) is common in the industry. Exceptional leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills distinguish top performers, enabling them to manage teams and client relationships effectively. These skills and qualifications are crucial for executing seamless, large-scale events that meet client goals and deliver memorable attendee experiences.

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

AspectSenior Event ManagerEvent Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree in hospitality, marketing, or related field; experience in event managementHigh school diploma or equivalent; some experience or training in event planning
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages large-scale events, oversees budgetsAssists with event setup, coordination, and logistics
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in corporate, hospitality, and event planning companies for senior rolesCommon entry-level or supporting role in similar industries

The main difference is that a Senior Event Manager oversees entire event projects, manages teams, and handles budgets, while an Event Coordinator supports the planning and logistics of events. The Senior Event Manager has more responsibilities, experience requirements, and leadership duties.

Is a senior event manager a good career?

A senior event manager is a valuable role in the events industry, involving planning, coordinating, and executing large-scale events. It offers opportunities for leadership, creativity, and high earning potential, especially with experience and certifications in project management or event planning tools. The career can be rewarding for those with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines.

What are the most commonly searched types of Senior Event jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Senior Event jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Event Manager jobs in Portland, OR?

For Senior Event Manager jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Event Manager jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Event Manager jobs in Portland, OR are:

What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Senior Event Manager jobs?

Cities near Portland, OR with the most Senior Event Manager job openings:

Senior Event Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Event Manager job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,414 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Senior Manager, Global Meetings, Events & Brand Experiences

Columbia Sportswear Company

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 13 days ago

Columbia Sportswear rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 91 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 104 rated fashion retailers

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Senior Manager, Global Meetings, Events & Brand Experiences is responsible for leading the strategy, operations, and performance of Columbia Sportswear Company's corporate events function, ensuring the successful delivery of meetings, events, activations, and experiences that support business objectives, strengthen brand engagement, and elevate stakeholder experiences.
This role leads a high-performing team and a complex ecosystem of agencies, production partners, suppliers, technology providers, venues, and hospitality partners to deliver world-class events. As a trusted advisor to senior leaders, the Senior Manager, Global Meetings, Events & Activations brings clarity to ambiguity, navigates complex challenges, removes barriers to execution, and drives alignment across diverse stakeholders.
The ideal candidate combines exceptional leadership and emotional intelligence with deep expertise in event operations, vendor management, event technology, production, budgeting, contracting, and experience design. This leader is highly adaptable, influential, solutions-oriented, and able to coach teams, business partners, and executives to achieve successful outcomes in fast-paced and evolving environments.
HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Team Leadership & Talent Development
  • Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing Events team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Coach and mentor team members while influencing stakeholders and senior leaders to drive alignment, informed decision-making, and successful business outcomes.
  • Build organizational capability, define clear priorities, and create an environment that enables teams to perform at their highest level.
  • Leads large, cross-functional initiatives involving significant budgets, business impact, and organizational complexity.
  • Influences decisions and outcomes across Marketing, Sales, Product, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HR, Communications, and external partners.

Event Strategy & Experience Delivery
  • Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the company's portfolio of corporate meetings, sales meetings, executive events, customer experiences, internal events, and experiential activations.
  • Ensure operational excellence across all phases of event delivery, from concept development through post-event evaluation.
  • Lead through ambiguity, proactively identifying risks, solving complex challenges, and removing barriers that impact execution.

Vendor & Partner Ecosystem Management
  • Oversee a diverse network of 25+ vendors including but not limited to event agencies, production companies, AV providers, fabricators, design agencies, labor partners, shipping companies, venues, transportation providers, and event technology vendors.
  • In partnership with Procurement, establish strategic partnerships, negotiate contracts, define performance expectations, and ensure consistent service delivery, accountability, scalability, and cost efficiency across the event ecosystem.

Financial Management & Contract Strategy
  • Lead event budget planning, forecasting, financial reporting, and investment management.
  • Ensure responsible stewardship of event investments while balancing business objectives, attendee experience, and financial performance.
  • Oversee negotiation and management of complex hotel, venue, production, agency, and supplier contracts while mitigating risk and maximizing value.

Event Technology & Innovation
  • Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of event technologies, including registration, attendee management, floor planning, event applications, reporting, virtual event platforms, and engagement tools.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert in platforms such as Cvent, Social Tables, and related event management technologies.

Content, Communications & Stakeholder Management
  • Partner with executive leaders and business stakeholders to develop event objectives, content strategies, attendee journeys, and program experiences.
  • Ensure clear and effective communication throughout the event lifecycle, from planning through execution and reporting.
  • Influence and align stakeholders across varying priorities while maintaining focus on business objectives and attendee experience

Events Center of Excellence (COE)
  • Lead the enterprise Events Center of Excellence (COE), establishing governance, standards, tools, best practices, and capabilities that support consistent and scalable event execution across the organization.
  • Provide expertise and consultation to business partners, ensuring alignment with company standards and event strategy.

YOU HAVE
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Event Management, or a related field.
  • CMP, PMP, or related professional certification preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate event management, experiential marketing, hospitality, event operations, or related disciplines.
  • 5+ years of people leadership experience managing teams, large-scale programs, budgets, and external partners.
  • Demonstrated experience leading large-scale corporate, executive, customer-facing, virtual, and hybrid events.
  • Experience managing agencies, production vendors, AV providers, hotels, venues, labor partners, and event technology suppliers.
  • Event strategy, operations, production, hospitality, experiential marketing, and attendee experience design.
  • Budget management, forecasting, procurement, contract negotiation, and financial stewardship.
  • Event technology platforms, registration systems, virtual event solutions, and attendee engagement tools.
  • Vendor management, operational governance, and organizational capability development.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25-30% annually.
  • Flexibility to support events during evenings, weekends, early mornings, and other nontraditional business hours.
  • Ability to work in event environments requiring extended standing, walking, lifting, and onsite operational support.

#Onsite
#LI-LC1
This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.
At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.
If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to AskHR@columbia.com with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.

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About Columbia Sportswear

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and prAna, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.

Industry

Apparel and accessories stores

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1938

Social media

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