Who You AreThe Manager, Events is responsible for leading the strategy, planning, coordination, and execution of HighLevel's global event portfolio, including internal, external, virtual, hybrid, and in-person experiences. This role oversees large-scale sponsored events, conferences, trade shows, and local meetups.
This leader manages multimillion-dollar budgets, directs a global events team, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure events align with organizational goals, brand standards, and customer experience objectives. The role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution oversight to ensure operational excellence and measurable impact.
What You'll Be Doing: Event Strategy & Leadership- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of sponsored in-person, virtual, and hybrid events across global locations.
- Provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership to the Events team to ensure seamless day-of-event operations.
- Develop event concepts, objectives, and strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Team Leadership & Development- Manage and direct the external events team (event planners, field marketers and on-site event team).
- Supervise team performance to ensure operational excellence and alignment with organizational goals.
- Provide guidance on planning, logistics, vendor coordination, and event execution.
- Support cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Communications, Sales, and Leadership teams.
Budget & Financial Oversight- Manage and oversee multimillion-dollar event budgets.
- Ensure events are executed within financial constraints.
- Provide post-event reconciliations, financial reporting, and leadership dashboards.
- Monitor ROI and financial performance across the event portfolio.
Operational Execution & Logistics- Oversee event logistics including venue layout, AV, travel, accommodations, registration, and vendor management.
- Ensure contracts, vendor agreements, insurance, and compliance requirements meet legal and safety standards.
- Develop and maintain event timelines, dashboards, and tracking systems.
- Oversee post-event analysis, feedback collection, and performance reporting.
Vendor & Stakeholder Management- Establish and maintain relationships with vendors, sponsors, speakers, and partners.
- Negotiate contracts and ensure service-level agreements are met.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications teams to ensure brand alignment and event promotion.
Compliance & Risk Management- Ensure all events meet legal, safety, and insurance requirements.
- Mitigate operational risk through proactive planning and oversight.
What You'll Bring:- Proven experience leading and developing event teams, including events planners and cross-functional contributors.
- Ability to provide both strategic direction and hands-on operational guidance.
- Strong decision-making skills with accountability for outcomes.
- Proactively communicate updates without prompting.
- Provide real-time remote support and actively monitor event communications during live events (in-person or virtual).
- Coach event planners, field marketers and on-site event staff to perform at a high level.
Strategic Event Execution- Demonstrated experience owning end-to-end event strategy and execution across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
- Identify risks before they escalate.
- Ability to translate business goals into high-impact event experiences.
- Experience managing complex, multi-location events simultaneously.
- Experience managing multiple events at once, which can include on-site, remote, and some evenings and weekends
Financial & Operational Acumen- Experience managing multimillion-dollar event budgets with strong financial discipline.
- Ability to analyze post-event performance metrics, ROI, and budget reconciliation.
- Strong contract negotiation and vendor management skills.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Exceptional stakeholder management skills across Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Leadership teams.
- Ability to align event strategy with brand positioning and revenue objectives.
- Strong executive presence and communication skills.
Project Management & Organization- Advanced organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
- Strong command of timelines, dashboards, and execution frameworks.
- Ability to anticipate risks and proactively solve problems in fast-paced environments.
Customer Experience & Brand Focus- Commitment to delivering exceptional attendee experiences that drive engagement and loyalty.
- Strong understanding of brand standards and customer journey principles.
Experience/Education/Certifications Required:- Overall 8+ Years of Experience with 3 years of people management experience.
- Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3-5+ years of experience in event planning or event management, preferably within SaaS or high-growth environments.
- Experience leading event teams or cross-functional execution.
- Demonstrated track record of owning staffing and performance outcomes.
- Experience operating in a high-growth, fast-moving organization preferred.
- Proven experience managing large-scale events and multimillion-dollar budgets.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple global events simultaneously.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively under pressure and resolve real-time issues.
- Proficiency in event management platforms (e.g., Eventbrite, Cvent) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Willingness to travel as required.
