Sr Meeting and Event Manager - Hybrid or Remote - U of C NORC

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC at The University of Chicago is seeking an experienced Meeting and Event Manager to join the growing Events team within the Strategic Communications department playing a lead role in planning high-profile government meetings, trainings, virtual webinars, and company special events. This position will work independently, manage projects, collaborate with senior planners, and oversee the work of other planners. A strong work ethic, creative spirit, positive attitude, and ability to thrive under pressure are essential.

DEPARTMENT: Strategic Communications and External Affairs

Strategic Communications and External Affairs supports the entire NORC organization with expertise in corporate communications and creative services, external affairs, internal communications, and select project-level communications. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Event Planning & Execution: Lead and manage all aspects of event planning, from RFPs and site selection to post-event reporting. Ensure successful execution and troubleshoot issues on-site.


• Project Leadership: Oversee and drive events from inception to completion. Develop and manage timelines and budgets, ensuring milestones and outcomes are met. Work independently without guidance.


• Vendor & Contract Management: Negotiate and review contracts. Manage vendor relationships for catering, AV, transportation, and other services.


• Team Management: Supervise and guide the development and workload of direct reports. Willingness to accept other duties and assist with other event-related responsibilities as needed to help the team get the job done for a client.


• Software Management: Use Cvent for event management, including website creation, registration, and speaker management.


• Marketing & Promotion: Develop and implement marketing strategies and materials for events and client communications.


• Logistics Coordination: Manage event materials, including badges, signage, and supplies. Handle packing, shipping, and on-site coordination.


• Reporting & Reconciliation: Prepare post-event reports, reconcile invoices, and track expenses.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Experience: 7+ years in direct conference planning, with experience in government events preferred. (7-10 years of industry experience preferred).


• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in event management is a plus.


• Certifications: CMP or CGMP preferred.


• Skills: Proven expertise in managing large-scale events, virtual platforms, event budget management, and vendor negotiations. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.


• Software: Proficiency with Cvent and other event management software.


• Personal Attributes: Exceptional attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, entrepreneurial and a positive, can-do attitude. Ability to manage multiple projects and work effectively under pressure.

Additional Requirements and Details:

• Travel: Local travel required 5+ times a year.


• Regulations: Familiarity with GSA Travel Regulations and policies is strongly preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The pay range for this position is $114,000 to $172,000. 

This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:  

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment 

  
  


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  Dental and vision insurance  

  
  


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  A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program  

  
  


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  Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance 

  
  


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  Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

  
  

 NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency  

Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC). 

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

EEO STATEMENT: 

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.