Strategic Event Solutions Event Manager, Supervising Associate - Chicago, IL

Strategic Event Solutions Event Manager, Supervising Associate - Chicago, IL

Location

Chicago

Other locations:

Primary

Location

Only

Salary

Competitive

Date:

Oct 8, 2026

Job description

Requisition ID:

1739906

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world.

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

The opportunity

This position supports the Strategic Event Solutions (SES) model through the consultation, planning and execution of approved meetings and events. The Event Manager partners with meeting sponsors, requesters, Account Managers, and internal support teams to understand business objectives, clarify ownership, recommend compliant and cost-effective solutions, and manage event delivery with a focus on stakeholder experience, risk mitigation, spend visibility and data integrity. This role also supports continued process improvement by adopting standard tools, maintaining accurate Cvent records, and helping identify opportunities through automation and AI-enabled efficiencies.

Your key responsibilities

The Event Manager’s core purpose is to deliver exceptional event experiences while adhering to EY policies, SES service levels and M&E goals. This individual consults with meeting sponsors and requesters to understand event objectives, logistical requirements, budget parameters and risk considerations, then develops practical, compliant and sustainable meeting plans. The role includes recommending the appropriate service model, planning approach, sourcing path, registration or attendee management support, contracting process, payment method, budget tracking and reporting structure. The Event Manager is also responsible for maintaining accurate event records, supporting clean data for reporting and audit readiness, and helping drive consistent execution across colleagues and supplier partners.

In addition:

• Provide onsite support when required based on event complexity, risk, stakeholder needs and approved support model; travel expectations may vary by portfolio and business demand.
• Travel may be required and should be assessed in alignment with event scope, centralized support guidance, budget approval and available onsite support options. Anticipate 25%-40% travel.
• Overtime may be required based on event volume, schedule, stakeholder needs or onsite delivery requirements.
• Clarify ownership and partner effectively across Account Managers, sourcing partners, attendee management, production, creative services, security, finance and other support teams.
• Use approved event technology, tools and templates to enhance stakeholder experience, improve consistency and support efficient event delivery.
• Complete timely and accurate Cvent data entry, including event scope, status, budget details, actuals, savings, repository documentation and reporting requirements; resolve data quality issues that impact visibility, audit readiness or downstream processes.
• Support contracting, approvals, signatures, deposits, and meetings card processes in alignment with applicable service level ownership and payment guidance.
• Identify recurring process gaps, escalate resource or compliance concerns, and contribute to solutions that reduce rework, improve clarity and strengthen team adoption of updated processes.
• Leverage technology, automation and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to improve efficiency, knowledge sharing, documentation and operational visibility.
• May be required to lead or support SES special projects, process documentation, training, or cross-functional initiatives.

Skills and attributes for success

• Uses SES and M&E guidelines, procedures and service-level criteria to recommend practical event solutions, clarify scope and guide stakeholders through approval, sourcing, contracting, planning and closeout.
• Maintains timely, accurate data input, document and repository management to support reporting, audit readiness and a consistent user experience.
• Demonstrates strong financial ownership, including budget tracking, supplemental budget awareness, payment-path guidance, deposit management and reconciliation support.
• Applies extensive knowledge of meetings and events operational processes, EY policies, Cvent workflows, service-level assignments and supplier support models.
• Builds strong, trusted relationships and drives adoption of updated processes by communicating the “why,” setting clear expectations and encouraging consistent ways of working.
• Communicates, challenges and persuades internal stakeholders at all levels while balancing service, compliance, cost, timing and resource considerations.
• Works collaboratively as part of a broader SES ecosystem, understands how decisions impact suppliers and requesters, and helps reduce unnecessary escalation by clarifying ownership.
• Understands compliance, spend under management, Cvent data quality and reporting metrics, and identifies opportunities to improve visibility and controls.
• Excellent time management skills; balances multiple priorities by considering urgency, impact, stakeholder expectations and available resources.
• Strong initiative, curiosity and adaptability, with a willingness to test new tools, document learnings and contribute to process simplification.
• A calm, solutions-oriented demeanor with passion for event delivery, stakeholder service and continuous improvement.
• Exercises sound judgment with periodic supervision, escalating issues appropriately while independently resolving routine decisions within established guardrails

To qualify for the role you must have

• Degree in related discipline or a minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in Event Management, meetings operations, and stakeholder consultation.
• Strong knowledge of the meetings and events marketplace, service delivery models, supplier management and industry trends.
• Ability to travel 25-40% of the time and work overtime, as needed.
• Strong analytical skills, commitment to quality, adaptability, change management, self-motivation and teamwork.
• Demonstrates executive presence, establishes credibility quickly and communicates effectively with internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Customer-service mindset with the ability to balance stakeholder needs, compliance, cost and operational realities.
• Knowledge of meeting industry software and collaboration tools, including Cvent, Microsoft Office, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and related workflow or documentation platforms.
• Comfortable learning and using technology, automation or AI-enabled tools to improve documentation, reporting, process consistency and team efficiency.
• Certified Meeting Professional certificate preferred

Ideally, you’ll also have

What we look for

In addition to the skills and attributes required, we are looking for a candidate who wants to contribute to a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team. This person should be comfortable operating in a changing environment, taking ownership of complex work, sharing knowledge, adopting new tools and helpin