Internal Events Manager

The Internal Events Manager will be responsible for setting the strategy and executing internal events across the organization globally. This role will oversee all aspects of the planning, organizing, production, and event management details, including logistics, budgeting, vendor coordination, audio/visual support and on-site execution. This will include corporate events and business division events. The ideal candidate will possess deep attention to detail, be an excellent project manager, and have outstanding communication skills. Reporting to the Director of Brand and Communication, this individual will be tasked in executing a wide variety of in-person and virtual company events.

What You Will Do at Graco:

Event Planning and Strategy:

• Collaborate with leadership and key business partners across the enterprise in the planning and execution of events. 
• Develop and implement an annual event strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives, purpose and values as well as business division goals and objectives. 
• Conceptualize, design, and create high-profile internal events that engage, motivate and inspire Graco employees globally including CEO town halls, executive quarterly business updates, large-scale employee meetings, Quarter-Century Club meetings, employee picnic, sales incentive meetings, board meetings and leadership meetings. 
• Create best-in-class strategies, recommendations, project plans, timelines, vendors, budgets and overall execution for each event.

Event Execution and Management:

• Manage end-to-end planning and logistics for a variety of corporate events and partner with divisional and regional business partners on the execution of events. 
• Contribute to site selection, contract negotiations, and management of vendors including event software partners, production partners, event sites, hotels, catering, entertainment, external speakers, gifts, and event staffing. 
• Ensure all events are executed with excellent client service, flawlessly, on time, and within budget, delivering exceptional attendee experiences. 
• Work closely with the Director of Brand and Communications, senior leadership and divisional sales and marketing leaders to align execution of event with organizational goals and strategies. 
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and to maximize event influence and exposure. 
• Manage script writing and presentation development. 
• Measure event success through feedback, surveys, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 
• Provide post-event analysis, including financial performance, attendee feedback, and recommended areas for improvement.

What You Will Bring to Graco:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Event Management, or a related field. 
• 3+ years of experience with large-scale, corporate event planning and management, preferably in a global environment. 
• Excellent leadership and relationship management skills. 
• Proven experience in designing and implementing corporate event strategies. 
• Hands-on experience with event management platforms such as Cvent. 
• Strong ability to balance multiple priorities, work independently and participate as a part of a cross-functional team. 
• Outstanding communication skills including writing, presenting, and developing presentations for others. 
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration and interacting with all levels of an organization, including c-suite. 
• Excellent project management skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to stay current with industry trends and apply best practices to events and branding. 
• High level of energy, sense of urgency and decisiveness, along with sound problem-solving and negotiating skills. 
• Ability to travel approximately 30% of time, domestic and international. 

Accelerators:

• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional).