Event and Meeting Manager
The Leadership Louisville Center (LLC) is the region’s leading nonprofit dedicated to leadership development and civic engagement. With a mission to inspire and equip leaders to be better and do better, we have empowered over 12,000 graduates through our civic programs since 1979. Through our programs, we connect leaders across sectors, deepen understanding of critical community issues, and create opportunities for meaningful civic engagement.
We're looking for an Event and Meeting Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and on-site execution of LLC's signature events, alumni gatherings, and community leadership program days. You'll own the logistics that make our events run smoothly, from vendor contracts and A/V to venue design and post-event evaluation, while collaborating closely with our program and content teams to keep everything aligned with LLC's mission and brand. The Event and Meeting Manager will also supervise a full-time, hourly Meeting Coordinator.
You'll be part of a small, mission-driven team where your work directly shapes how thousands of Louisville leaders connect, learn, and grow. If you love the adrenaline of a well-run event and the satisfaction of watching months of planning come together in a room full of engaged people, this role gives you that on a regular basis, at real scale, for an organization with deep community roots.
This is a full-time, exempt, in-person position that reports to the Vice President. Salary range is $50,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience. We offer some remote flexibility after 6 months, but this role requires at least 75% in-person presence
What You’ll Do
Lead signature events, including:
- 100 Wise Women (quarterly breakfast, ~350 attendees)
- Leadership Louisville Luncheon (annual, ~1,300 attendees)
- LeadingBetter™ Summit (annual conference, 500–600 attendees)
- Best Class Ever Celebration (alumni reunion, 150-250 attendees)
- Holiday Party (alumni networking event, 100-150 attendees)
Support program and special events, including alumni and donor meetings, cohort program meetings, and an annual executive retreat.
Own event operations end to end, including:
- Vendor contracts, catering, A/V, and venue design
- Online task and project management systems
- Event communications and materials prep
- Post-event evaluations and reporting
Manage budgets, developing cost-effective event budgets and making real-time adjustments to keep events on track financially.
Build vendor and stakeholder relationships, working with a range of caterers, vendors, and venues, and holding partners accountable to strong service delivery.
Support and supervise the Meeting Coordinator, a full-time, hourly team member, helping them grow their skills and manage priorities while fostering a collaborative, team-oriented working relationship.
Collaborate across teams, partnering closely with sales, marketing, and program leaders to ensure events support broader program and organizational goals.
Stay ahead of the curve, researching venues, amenities, and event trends in the Louisville region to keep the attendee experience fresh.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- 2+ years of experience planning and managing events, with a track record of executing large-scale, multi-faceted events successfully
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to build lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- A collaborative mindset and openness to feedback in service of continuously improving event quality
- Experience supervising or mentoring staff preferred
- Confidence leading on event days: directing vendors, support staff, and volunteers, and staying calm and solutions-focused under pressure
- Able to learn and use CRM and project-management software on a daily basis
Good to Know
- Some non-traditional hours are required, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends around events
- This role supports 2–3 regional retreats per year requiring overnight travel outside Louisville
- Must be able to occasionally lift and transport event supplies to off-site venues using a personal vehicle
- Relocation expenses are not covered
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter highlighting relevant experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Events management: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Louisville, KY 40202 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Louisville, KY 40202: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
