Senior Event Planner Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Creek Technologies is seeking an experienced Event Manager to support the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) Executive Education Program. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of executive education programs from initial planning through on-site execution, financial reconciliation, and program closeout. The Event Manager serves as the primary coordinator for all logistical and operational aspects of assigned programs, ensuring successful delivery while maintaining exceptional customer service and compliance with organizational and federal requirements.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, detail-oriented professional with experience managing multiple complex events simultaneously. This individual will collaborate with CHDS leadership, government stakeholders, vendors, speakers, and participants to deliver executive education programs that strengthen homeland security, emergency management, and public safety leadership nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned portfolio of executive education programs from planning through on-site execution and post-event closeout.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, planning timelines, and event documentation to ensure milestones and deliverables are completed on time.
• Coordinate with CHDS Program Leads to understand program objectives and operational requirements for successful program delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned programs, coordinating with CHDS staff, government agencies, vendors, speakers, participants, and partner organizations.
• Research, evaluate, and coordinate venues, lodging, catering, audiovisual services, transportation, and other event support requirements.
• Support procurement activities by coordinating vendor agreements, purchasing documentation, and contract administration in accordance with Creek Technologies and CHDS policies.
• Develop, monitor, and reconcile program budgets, travel expenses, invoices, and financial documentation.
• Coordinate participant registration, travel arrangements, lodging, itineraries, accessibility accommodations, and event communications.
• Prepare, review, and distribute agendas, presentations, participant materials, signage, surveys, name badges, and other program documentation.
• Lead on-site event operations, including registration, venue setup, audiovisual coordination, schedule management, and issue resolution.
• Maintain accurate records within registration systems, event management platforms, databases, and shared documentation repositories.
• Support website updates, digital event content, reporting requirements, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful program execution and exceptional customer service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing professional conferences, executive meetings, training events, educational programs, or similar large-scale events from planning through completion.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience coordinating venues, vendors, contracts, budgets, participant logistics, travel arrangements, and on-site event operations.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with senior government officials, executives, customers, and external partners.
• Ability to anticipate challenges, exercise sound judgment, solve problems independently, and work with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Ability to quickly learn registration platforms, event management systems, content management systems, and collaboration tools.
• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain any required background investigation, installation access, or security requirements.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the United States as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Government, higher education, homeland security, or executive education programs.
• Experience managing executive-level conferences, seminars, symposiums, or leadership development programs.
• Knowledge of federal travel regulations, government procurement processes, and expense reconciliation procedures.
• Experience using WordPress or other content management systems.
• Experience supporting senior government officials, elected officials, military leaders, or executive audiences.
• Project Management certification (CAPM, PMP, or equivalent) is preferred.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Event Management, Communications, Public Administration, Marketing, Project Management, or a related field is required.
• Equivalent combinations of education, professional training, and directly related experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.
• Professional certifications related to project management, event management, meeting planning, or hospitality management are desirable.

Travel Expectations:

• Travel on occasional weekends and, rarely, holidays when required by program schedules.
• Work early mornings, evenings, or extended days during program delivery.
• Adjust travel schedules in response to flight disruptions, weather, emergencies, or program changes.
• Transport program materials or coordinate their shipment when required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of the job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence; therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodation during the interview process.

Creek Technologies Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Creek Technologies considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, religion, nation origin, pregnancy, child or spousal support withholding, disability, marital status, genetic information, citizenship/immigration status, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Creek Technologies makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits and business needs at the time. Upon request, Creek Technologies will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability who need accommodation during the application process, unless accommodation creates an undue hardship for the company