Events Manager - Contract

D Magazine Partners is hiring an experienced Events Manager on a contract basis to plan, produce, and execute the remaining 2026 portfolio of events across D Magazine, D Home, and D Weddings. Strong performance during the engagement may be considered for a full-time, benefits-eligible role in 2027. Provide hospitality-focused communication to sponsors and guests throughout.Budget ownership: track and manage all event expenses against budget; report variance and trade leverage to the Sr. Director, Marketing and in-house Event Manager.Cross-functional coordination: lead day-to-day communication with internal stakeholders (editorial, sales, marketing) and external partners (venues, vendors, sponsors).Setup, execution, and strike: physical on-site presence and hands-on participation on event days, alongside the in-house team and interns.Documentation and handoff: maintain vendor contacts, run-of-show templates, and post-event reports that the in-house team can use after the engagement ends.Event-specific coordination: participate in cross-functional planning syncs (Events / Sales / Editorial) scoped to each contracted event, in-person or remote as required by the event production schedule. Minimum 5 years of experience producing corporate, B2B, or large-scale consumer events; experience with sponsor activations strongly preferred.Demonstrated track record managing end-to-end event production: venues, vendors, budgets, and on-site execution.Business and financial acumen to negotiate vendor contracts and manage event budgets to target.Excellent project management and organizational skills; able to run multiple events on parallel timelines.Excellent written and verbal communication; hospitality-oriented manner with sponsors, guests, and internal stakeholders.Strategic, big-picture thinker with strong tactical execution; calm under pressure with the ability to make decisions independently and adjust quickly to changing conditions.Existing relationships within the DFW events industry strongly preferred.Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; comfortable with event registration platforms including Accelevents and SquadUP. A summary of two or three relevant events you have produced.An explanation of why a project-based 1099 engagement, with potential for full-time conversion in 2027, aligns with your current career stage and goals.A description of your approach to per-event flat-fee pricing for marquee corporate events.