Northern Trust

Head of Events and Conferences

Northern Trust

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Chicago • Illinois • United States

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Salary

💰 $137,400 - $210,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive event strategy aligned with business objectives, focusing on stakeholder engagement and brand positioning.
  • Conceive, plan, and oversee a range of events, including customized client gatherings, major conferences, sponsorship activations, and employee events.
  • Engage and collaborate with executive leadership, clients, and internal teams to ensure events meet strategic goals and deliver measurable impact.
  • Work closely with marketing, communications, sales, and other departments to ensure seamless event integration and consistent messaging.
  • Lead teams in the delivery of high-quality events, ensuring operational excellence, innovation, and adherence to timelines and budgets.
  • Evaluate event outcomes, analyze stakeholder feedback, and report key metrics to the CMO and executive leadership; use insights to refine future event strategies.
  • Select, negotiate, and manage relationships with external vendors, venues, sponsors, and partners.
  • Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring financial prudence while maximizing event effectiveness.
  • Identify potential risks and develop contingency plans to safeguard event success.
  • Position the organization as an industry leader through expertly curated events that highlight subject matter expertise and brand values.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 10 years of senior event leadership experience, with demonstrated success in managing large-scale, multi day and track events and conferences.
  • Established people leader with a track record of coaching talent, managing performance, and aligning team outcomes to strategic priorities.
  • Proven strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into impactful event experiences.
  • Exceptional executive communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and clients.
  • Strong project management skills, including experience with cross-functional teams and complex event logistics.
  • Robust budget oversight and financial management experience.
  • Expertise in stakeholder engagement, relationship building, and negotiation.
  • Proficiency with event technology platforms, analytics, and reporting tools.
  • Ability to assess event outcomes, analyze data, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
Benefits
  • retirement benefits (401k and pension)
  • health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability)
  • paid time off
  • parental and caregiver leave
  • life & accident insurance
  • discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component
  • flexible working arrangements
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
event strategy developmentevent planningbudget managementstakeholder engagementproject managementdata analysisevent logisticsnegotiationperformance managementstrategic thinking
Soft Skills
leadershipcommunicationcollaborationcoachingrelationship buildinginnovationproblem-solvingadaptabilityexecutive engagementteam alignment