Event Planning Manager

Join Our Mission to Transform Learning!

At Cengage, we are passionate about harnessing the power of education to help learners around the globe realize their potential. Our team is united by a shared vision of innovation that impacts millions of students, empowering them to thrive in their educational journeys.

Our Inclusive Work Culture

We celebrate diversity, engagement, and discovery. Cengage is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every employee can share their ideas and perspectives. We believe this diversity strengthens our workplace and our ability to serve learners effectively.

As an Event Planning Manager, you will play a critical role in delivering exceptional events, both in-person and virtual. You will collaborate with various teams to ensure each event furthers our marketing goals and provides a memorable experience for participants. You'll also be responsible for sharing best practices in event planning with your colleagues.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

Providing expert logistical support for events from conception through execution and post-event evaluation.

Managing all aspects of event deliverables, including trade shows and virtual events, from initial planning to follow-up.

Negotiating contracts and agreements with vendors, hotels, restaurants, and technical partners to ensure successful events.

Tracking and managing event expenses to stay within budget while maximizing value.

Collaborating with the Events team on various projects throughout the year.

Depending on the project, additional responsibilities may include:

Researching and selecting suitable venues for live events.

Setting up virtual event platforms and managing registrations and invitations.

Deploying event assets and equipment strategically for maximum engagement at conferences.

Managing travel logistics for event staff.

Creating and overseeing online registration systems and ensuring compliance with data handling regulations.

Coordinating logistics with internal and external partners, including conducting post-event surveys.

Partnering with the Events team to execute larger events collaboratively.

Traveling to events to deliver on-site management when required.

Skills Needed:

Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.

Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Strong project management abilities and meticulous attention to detail.

Capacity to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.

Ability to work independently with a sense of urgency.

Positive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Proficiency in Zoom, MS Office, Office 365, and Excel.

A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event and tradeshow planning, including 1-2 years in virtual event coordination.

Experience negotiating vendor contracts.

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience of at least 3 years.

Familiarity with event management software (Cvent or similar) and project management tools (Workfront or similar).

Willingness to travel 6-8 times per year.

Cengage is dedicated to attracting top talent and considers applicants regardless of race, gender, or other classifications protected by law. We also strive to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application process.

About Cengage

Cengage, a leader in education technology, empowers millions of learners with high-quality, affordable digital resources and services. With a century-long commitment to enhancing learning experiences, we utilize scalable technology like MindTap and Cengage Unlimited to support students across various educational markets worldwide.

Compensation

Cengage provides a competitive total rewards package to support and empower our employees. The pay range for this position is between $59,700.00 and $95,700.00 USD, depending on qualifications, experience, and location.

Important Notice: Be cautious of recruitment scams. Cengage will always conduct interviews through legitimate channels before extending job offers. Ensure you are communicating from an official @cengage.com email address.