Meeting and Events Manager

Location: Michigan-based remote position with periodic in-state and out-of-state travel

Reports To: Director of Association Management and Communications

Date Posted: April 17, 2026

Shape Change With Us

At Kelley Cawthorne, we help clients advance their missions through innovative strategies, strong relationships, and exceptional service. We’re known for our integrity, collaborative culture, and commitment to delivering high-quality experiences for our clients and their members.

We’re looking for a Meeting and Events Manager who brings both strategic vision and hands-on leadership to our association events work. This role oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of meetings and events across our Association Management division, ensuring consistent, high-quality experiences for clients and their members.

Working closely with Association Managers, the Meeting and Events Manager ensures that client expectations are clearly understood, event strategies align with broader service plans, and all meetings and events are delivered with professionalism, consistency, and attention to detail. This role also leads and supports a team of Meeting and Events Coordinators and plays a key role in setting standards, processes, and best practices across all events.

What You'll Do

You’ll provide strategic oversight and leadership for a diverse portfolio of in‑person and virtual meetings and events, while also supporting your team and collaborating closely with Association Managers.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning and execution of association conferences, annual meetings, board meetings, educational programs, webinars, and networking events.
• Partner with Association Managers to align event strategies with each client’s goals, priorities, and service plans.
• Establish and oversee event timelines, workflows, budgets, standards, and quality controls across all association clients.
• Secure and manage sponsor and vendor partnerships through targeted outreach and alignment with event goals and revenue targets.
• Ensure consistent use of event planning templates, protocols, documentation, and best practices.
• Identify risks, challenges, or gaps in planning and proactively address issues to ensure successful event delivery.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex event logistics or higher-level client concerns.
• Supervise, coach, and support Meeting and Events Coordinators, including workload management and assignment of responsibilities.
• Provide guidance, feedback, and performance support to ensure accountability and professional growth.
• Support onboarding, training, and development of events team members.
• Review key event deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and professionalism.
• Provide leadership presence for select in-person and virtual events, offering onsite oversight and real-time problem solving as needed.
• Oversee post-event evaluations, reporting, and analysis to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

A confident, experienced events professional who:

• Enjoys balancing strategic oversight with hands-on involvement when needed.
• Brings strong leadership skills and the ability to guide, support, and hold teams accountable.
• Has excellent project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with clients, staff, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Takes pride in setting standards, maintaining consistency, and delivering high-quality work.
• Is proactive, solutions-focused, and adaptable in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Demonstrates high levels of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and personal accountability.
• Thrives in a collaborative, service-oriented team culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, event management, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of professional experience in meeting or event planning.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex events and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of event budgeting, vendor management, and contract coordination.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and virtual meeting platforms; comfort learning and supporting event-related technology.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Periodic travel by car within Michigan and Ohio, with occasional national travel for meetings and events.
• Ability to attend evening or weekend events as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. for event setup and office support.
• Prolonged periods of sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer.
• Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
• Must be able to hear and speak clearly to conduct business over phone, video, and in person.

Why Kelley Cawthorne?

• Impactful Work: Support associations and organizations that make a difference.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a professional, supportive, and client-focused team.
• Varied & Engaging Work: No two events, or days, are the same.
• Regional Reach: Be part of a team serving clients across Michigan, Ohio, and beyond.
• Excellent Benefits: Competitive benefits and a culture that values employee well-being.

Ready to shape change with us?

• Apply today and help create exceptional experiences for our clients and their members.