Senior Events Manager

M&C Saatchi World Services US is seeking an experienced and highly strategic Senior Event Manager. This role leads the planning, coordination, and execution of high-profile events, stakeholder engagements, and audience experiences, ensuring seamless delivery across virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats while aligning event strategy, logistics, communications, and stakeholder objectives to maximize mission impact. THE ROLE M&C Saatchi World Services is seeking a highly organized and proactive Senior Event Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of events that support strategic communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across a diverse portfolio of federal programs. Working closely with communications, stakeholder engagement, creative, account, and program teams, you will oversee the delivery of virtual, in-person, and hybrid events that advance mission objectives, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and create meaningful audience experiences. From executive briefings and workshops to conferences, summits, training events, and public engagement activities, you will be responsible for ensuring every event is executed seamlessly and to the highest standards of quality and professionalism. The ideal candidate combines strong event management expertise with exceptional project management, stakeholder coordination, and communications skills. They are comfortable managing multiple complex events simultaneously, navigating changing priorities, and serving as a trusted partner to both internal teams and external stakeholders. This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. Key Responsibilities • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of virtual, in-person, and hybrid events that support communications, outreach, and stakeholder engagement objectives. • Develop comprehensive event plans, timelines, logistics schedules, and execution strategies that ensure successful delivery from concept through completion. • Create and maintain event books, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, participant biographies, talking points, logistics guides, and executive support materials. • Coordinate speaker, participant, and stakeholder engagement activities, including scheduling, communications, travel logistics, briefing packets, and event preparation. • Manage venue selection, room layouts, audiovisual requirements, technical support, catering, registration processes, and event operations. • Oversee attendee communications, registration management, guest tracking, and participant experience throughout the event lifecycle. • Collaborate with communications, creative, and stakeholder engagement teams to ensure branding, messaging, and content are effectively integrated into event experiences. • Coordinate vendors, partners, production teams, and external stakeholders to ensure all event requirements are met. • Monitor event budgets, timelines, and resource allocations while proactively identifying and resolving risks and logistical challenges. • Provide real-time event management support, troubleshooting issues and ensuring seamless execution during live events. • Prepare post-event reports, performance summaries, lessons learned, and recommendations to support continuous improvement efforts. • Ensure all event materials, communications, and experiences comply with accessibility requirements, organizational standards, and client expectations. • Support high-priority executive engagements, leadership events, and mission-critical stakeholder activities as required. Key Attributes • Experience planning and managing conferences, workshops, stakeholder engagements, executive events, training programs, or large-scale organizational events. • Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously. • Experience developing event books, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, participant biographies, and event logistics plans. • Experience leveraging digital event technologies, virtual engagement platforms, and AI-enabled tools to enhance event delivery and audience experiences. • Curiosity in technology landscape and how AI is changing communications. • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. • Strong stakeholder-management and relationship-building abilities. • Experience coordinating vendors, venues, production teams, speakers, and event participants. • Ability to anticipate challenges, proactively solve problems, and remain calm under pressure during live events. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality event experiences. • Experience managing budgets, schedules, logistics, and operational requirements across multiple projects. • Familiarity with virtual event platforms, registration systems, audiovisual production, and hybrid event technologies. • Experience collaborating across communications, stakeholder engagement, creative, account, and program management teams. • Experience supporting federal government, public affairs, international development, or mission-driven programs is preferred. • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, as required by the position. • Degree or relevant experience in Event Management, Communications, Hospitality, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field preferred. Eligibility Requirements: • U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract). • Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment. • Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use. The salary range provided reflects the anticipated compensation for this role across our Washington, DC and New York locations. Actual starting salary will be determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, skills, and other job-related factors. WHAT YOU GET We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth: • 12 weeks' of full pay for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers. • Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded) • 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage • Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's • 401(k) with 5% employer match • Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription • Mental health support through EAP and Self Space services • Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval) • Social events, happy hours, professional development trainings, etc.