Event Planner at BCforward Chapel Hill, NC

Durham, NC, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

flexible schedule

Professional Development

Travel reimbursement

Job Description

BCforward is a well-established personnel solutions organization that has evolved significantly since its founding in 1998. Originally started as an IT business solutions and staffing firm, BCforward has expanded its services to become a full-service personnel solutions provider. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, BCforward operates multiple delivery centers across North America and India, making it a global firm capable of addressing diverse business needs. As the largest consulting and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified firm in Indiana, BCforward has a strong track record of delivering customized IT staffing and project solutions tailored to customers' specific requirements. With an ever-growing team of over 5000 global resources under its umbrella, including its additional brand Stafforward, the company delivers expert services across various industries in both the public and private sectors. BCforward's commitment to excellence and innovation drives its success and growth, making it a leader in the personnel solutions landscape.

This exciting opportunity is for the role of Event Planner based in Durham, NC, with an expected duration of 12 months. The Event Planner will join BCforward's skilled Meetings, Events, and Tradeshows team, focusing on supporting the Agriculture business segment through expert event management. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, experienced, and detail-oriented, possessing strong customer and project management skills. This role requires managing multiple complex and concurrent events, including both in-person and virtual experiences. Proficiency in leveraging various technology platforms to produce high-quality events is essential.

The role involves conceptualizing, planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of live and virtual meetings, events, and tradeshows. Key responsibilities include managing the entire event logistics such as venue selection, agenda development, speaker engagement, vendor coordination, sponsorship management, and onsite execution. The Event Planner will actively negotiate with vendors, oversee contracts, lead working teams, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to align event strategies with clear, results-driven objectives. Additionally, the planner will analyze event success metrics, provide post-event evaluations, and recommend improvements to optimize event ROI and impact on customer lifetime value.

This position suits a corporate event planning professional who thrives in dynamic environments, is adept at managing budgets and contractual arrangements, and enjoys applying creative problem-solving to deliver impactful event experiences. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and demonstrate strong communication, organizational, and multitasking skills. Flexibility to travel within the U.S. and work non-standard hours as needed is also required. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing company while honing expertise in advanced event planning and execution strategies in both virtual and live settings.

Job Requirements

Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
5+ years of event management experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred
Experience managing mid to large-size budgets
Strong organizational and multitasking skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Flexibility to travel and work varying hours
Knowledge of virtual event platforms
Experience with event registration systems
Event planner certification is a plus

Job Qualifications

5+ years of event management experience preferably within a large venue hotel corporate or event management capacity
Bachelor’s degree and/or events or meeting planner certification preferred
Exceptional time management and organizational skills with a proven record of success in planning managing and executing multiple events simultaneously
Experience managing mid to large-size budgets possess advanced knowledge of contractual language pertaining to meetings and events and have significant experience negotiating with vendors
Proven ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Decision maker and problem solver with a collaborative team-player attitude
Adaptability to situations and ever-changing demands
Highly organized with the ability to handle multiple tasks to meet strict deadlines
Ambitious and proactive with a calm and flexible approach to handling pressure
Knowledge and experience working with virtual event platforms
Experience with event registration systems and event mobile app platforms (Cvent preferred)
Willingness to apply creative and strategic thinking to routine and new events
Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels
Ability to work independently under own direction and initiative
Ability to travel within the U.S. and work flexible and/or fluctuating work hours

Job Duties

Conceptualize plan coordinate and execute multiple end-to-end live and virtual meetings events and tradeshows on schedule within budget and with excellent attention to detail
Manage logistics including event space agenda planning meeting room sets equipment and labor menu selection speaker coordination sponsorship management decor signage collateral and transportation
Facilitate vendor negotiations contracts and manage vendors throughout the planning process
Serve as an event project manager creating timelines organizing planning meetings managing working teams interfacing with business partners to drive toward deliverables and keep stakeholders informed
Consult with event organizers and colleagues regarding event strategy objectives and program goals making recommendations to achieve maximum impact for minimal spend
Develop success measures and evaluate all major events against objectives recommending areas for improvement
Provide timely event recaps containing quantitative and qualitative feedback for all events partner with internal stakeholders to evaluate event ROI and impact on customer lifetime value
Provide regular reporting trends deliverable progress and updates to management and stakeholders
Perform other duties to support the team as needed