Event Planning Manager

Berwyn, IL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $64,700.00 - $73,600.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Night Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

401K with company match

discounted room nights

Free room nights

Education Assistance

Paid Time Off

Employee parking

Access to gym

Free Meals

Job Description

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place is a distinguished full-service hotel located in Chicago, Illinois, offering an exceptional hospitality experience for travelers whether they are visiting for business or leisure. This expansive hotel features over 1258 well-appointed guest rooms and 53 luxurious suites, complemented by 13,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting space within the hotel premises. Beyond that, the Hyatt offers convenient access to nearly 30,000 square feet of additional meeting space in its renowned conference center, serving as an ideal venue for a variety of events including business conferences, galas, conventions, and trade shows. Guests of Hyatt Regency McCormick Place enjoy a rich selection of dining options, including international cuisine at Third Star, ramen bowls at Sixes & Eights, and social drinks at ARC Bar. Wellness is a priority with a 24-hour StayFit gym to help guests maintain their fitness routines during their stay. Directly connected to the country’s largest convention center, Hyatt seamlessly facilitates large-scale events and offers unparalleled access and service for convention attendees.

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place prides itself on a team-oriented culture where employees are the core of delivering attentive, caring, and efficient service resulting in memorable guest experiences. The hotel has garnered recognition on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list multiple times, illustrating its commitment to employee satisfaction and professional development. The current opening is for an Event Planning Manager, a pivotal role within the hotel's events team. This full-time position offers competitive compensation ranging from $64,700 to $73,600 annually, depending on experience.

As an Event Planning Manager, you will be entrusted with planning, coordinating, and overseeing complex group events, ensuring each occasion’s smooth execution from initial contact through post-event activities. Reporting directly to the Director of Events, you will focus predominantly on large market groups with a minimum requirement of 250 room nights, which includes managing meetings, conventions, trade shows, and citywide events with intricate logistics. The role demands someone who is highly organized, proactive, and able to work independently, managing multiple priorities simultaneously, while predicting and addressing client and operational needs with efficient decision-making and precision. Communication skills and strong attention to detail are critical to uphold Hyatt’s high standards and to foster solid client relationships that encourage repeat business and positive referrals. You will coordinate with various internal departments such as Event Sales, Operations, Culinary, and Event Services as well as external partners like McCormick Place and vendors to ensure flawless execution of all events. Emphasis is placed on managing event logistics including agenda development, menu planning, room configurations, audio-visual requirements, transportation, and billing, ensuring every detail aligns with the client’s expectations and Hyatt brand standards. Additionally, this position requires on-site event management and representation of Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at industry events and client meetings, embodying the brand’s commitment to hospitality excellence. Hyatt fosters an inclusive, diverse, and innovative working environment where employees are encouraged to grow personally and professionally, recognizing the power of care as the foundation of their culture and success. The company's benefits package includes health insurance, 401K with company match, discounted and complimentary room nights at Hyatt properties, education assistance, paid time off, and more. This role presents an exciting opportunity to join a global leader in hospitality and contribute to shaping exceptional and memorable event experiences within a world-class hotel setting.

Job Requirements

Associate's degree or higher preferred
Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive event planning experience in a full-service hotel, convention hotel, or large-scale event venue environment required
Experience servicing groups of 250 room nights or greater required
Experience independently planning and managing large market groups, conventions, and events of significant scale and complexity required
Experience working with union labor and understanding of labor regulations within a convention or hotel environment required
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
Strong organizational and communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Refined verbal and written communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel event management systems
Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays required

Job Qualifications

Associate's degree or higher preferred
Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive event planning experience in a full-service hotel, convention hotel, or large-scale event venue environment required
Experience servicing groups of 250 room nights or greater required
Demonstrated experience independently planning and managing large market groups, conventions, and events of significant scale and complexity
Convention hotel and citywide convention experience strongly preferred
Experience coordinating events associated with convention centers, trade shows, or large-scale meetings preferred
Experience working with union labor and an understanding of labor regulations within a convention or hotel environment required
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, anticipate challenges, and proactively develop solutions in a fast-paced environment
Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Refined verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong client relationships
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hotel event management systems
A genuine desire to provide exceptional service in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Flexible schedule required including nights, weekends, and holidays

Job Duties

Serve as the primary planner and client contact for mid-size to large, complex group events including meetings, conferences, galas, citywide conventions, and trade shows
Manage all aspects of the event planning lifecycle from contract turnover through event execution and post-event follow-up
Lead event detailing including agenda development, menu planning, room configurations, floor plans, transportation logistics, and billing requirements
Coordinate convention center-related events and collaborate with McCormick Place partners and vendors as required
Partner closely with Event Sales, Operations, Culinary, Event Services, and other hotel departments to ensure seamless execution and exceptional guest experiences
Coordinate all event logistics including audiovisual requirements, room setups, food and beverage functions, timelines, and attendee experiences
Prepare and maintain accurate Event Orders (EOs), diagrams, reports, and internal communications
Conduct client planning meetings, site visits, pre-convention meetings, and pre-event operational meetings
Provide on-site event management and serve as the primary point of contact throughout program execution
Foster strong client relationships to drive guest satisfaction, repeat business, and positive referrals
Monitor event revenue and forecasting to maximize profitability
Ensure all events are executed in accordance with Hyatt brand standards and hotel operating procedures
Represent Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at industry functions, networking events, and client engagements as needed