Senior Events Specialist

This position is responsible for the planning management and execution of internal and external facing meetings and events that are strategically aligned with the company's vision, mission and values and help further the company's goals. Events include, but are not limited to, business-to-business, business-to-consumer, community outreach, employee resource group and retail center. Responsible for collaborating with leadership and key business partners across the enterprise in the planning and execution of events, maintaining strong internal and external communications with event collaborators, and providing extra-mile customer service.

Additional responsibilities include leading large conference planning, developing themes aligning with current business plans, leading script writing and presentation development, and developing new areas of conference growth for onsite attendee experiences.

A Day in the Life:

• Leads planning management and execution of winning strategic events for all external, B2B, and B2C events that are aligned with company and business segment goals, and ensure they are completed timely, on-budget, exceeding partner goals and expectations, and provide a premiere consumer / client experience. 
• Builds project plan, communication plans and timelines to ensure event planning is progressing on time and as expected. Makes modifications as needed. 
• Develops and maintains a trusted and collaborative partnership with, and provides extra-mile customer service to, key internal and external collaborators. 
• Sources venue locations, speakers, agencies, and vendors for both short-term and ongoing purposes. Manages vendor contracting as necessary. 
• Leads all aspects of in-person, virtual and hybrid events (of all sizes) including items like, event budget, registration, attendee management, food and beverage planning, A/V and production needs, room sets, vendor halls, breakout spaces, activations and give-backs, and other user experience levers. 
• Collaborates with the internal teams (including, but not limited to, marketing, public relations, etc.) on the development of effective event promotion strategies and tactics and ensures communications are implemented on-time against event-related goals. Makes certain effective channels are used for event promotion (e.g., print, electronic, social media, etc.). 
• Coordinates with internal teams and subject matter authorities on content development, script writing, and presentation creation for internal and external presenters. 
• Continues to look critically at events and how to push the limits on customer experience relating to our current business. 
• Takes on leadership role within the team as intern manager and assist with onboarding and ongoing training opportunities for all team members. Looks for and develops other opportunities to extend the Events Team presence on other teams at BCBSMN and within our events, by focusing on strategy, consumer experience and experiential marketing elements. 
• Maintains strong working relationship and communication with events team to streamline and drive event related processes.

Nice to Have:

• Bachelor's degree. 
• Health industry experience. 
• Strong deliberation and discussion abilities.

Required Skills and Experiences:

• 5+ years of related professional experience. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills. 
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to interact effectively and build and maintain positive relationships with executive management, other internal and external collaborators and partners, and vendors. 
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload, and work optimally in a high pressure, high stake's environment. 
• Ability to multi-task and switch between multiple projects. 
• Strong customer service orientation and skills. 
• Proven relationship and problem resolution skills. 
• Strong teamwork ethic and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Professional! 
• Must possess valid drivers license and reliable mode of transportation. Must be willing to work some nights and weekends as appropriate.