Senior Meeting & Events Planner

Job Code: PRO-MP-04M

Location: Hybrid - Rockville, MD

Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular

Telework: Partial

Clearance: NACI

Salary Range: $84, 687.70 - $97,390.85 per year (how we pay and promote )

Manager: Yes

Position Overview

Are you passionate about turning ideas into events that fuel a mission bigger than yourself?

As a Senior Meeting & Events Planner with Ripple Effect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our success on the Communications and Outreach team! Your work will directly provide strategic and operational leadership for meetings and conventions, overseeing integrated planning, budgeting, quality assurance, and stakeholder coordination. You will lead teams by assigning work, managing performance, mentoring staff, and resolving complex issues. In addition, this role ensures compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements and drives continuous improvement in event delivery. This position requires working independently with broad guidance, serving as a primary decision‑maker and escalation point for complex planning efforts.

While not an exhaustive list, the key duties for the position include:

Technical Execution: Oversees the planning and implementation of meetings and conventions, coordinating across teams to ensure events are executed effectively and meet quality standards while staying informed of industry best practices.

Communication: Leads communication efforts by preparing and reviewing event-related materials (such as plans and status reports) and guiding team members on effective communication with stakeholders.

Schedule and Timelines: Leads the development of integrated event schedules, manages resources to meet key milestones, and ensures timely completion of all event logistics and tasks.

Quality Management: Ensures all meetings and events adhere to established quality standards and procedures, acting as a gatekeeper for quality and implementing corrective actions when standards are not met.

Data Analysis: Applies analytical methods to interpret event data and feedback, synthesizing insights to improve future events and guiding team members in data-driven decision-making.

Financial Management: Develops and monitors event budgets, reallocates resources as needed, proposes solutions for budget variances, and negotiates contracts with vendors to ensure cost-effective events.

Regulatory & Contractual Compliance: Ensures compliance with all event-related regulatory and contractual requirements (e.g., safety regulations and contract terms) by coordinating with relevant departments and proactively addressing potential issues.

Documentation: Oversees the preparation of event documentation (plans, procedures, reports) and ensures all records are clear, organized, and support quality assurance for repeatable processes.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Leads the development of event work plans and budgets, uses creative problem-solving to resolve issues in event execution, and advises management on process improvements and best practices.

Business Relations: Builds strong relationships with internal departments and external partners (e.g., venue, catering, transportation, AV providers) to ensure smooth coordination and successful execution of events, while identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery.

Team Management: Supervises team members, handles assignments, timekeeping, and problem-solving. Responsible for quality, performance management, and training.

Supervision: Works independently with broad guidance supporting increasingly complex tasks. Uses experience to manage complex tasks and mentor others, consults supervisor as needed.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree.

6+ years of relevant professional experience.

2+ years of project management experience.

Basic Requirements

Experience supporting meetings subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) or similar federal advisory committee requirements, including meeting planning, documentation, public-access, and compliance considerations.

Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate with vendors and stakeholders, anticipate logistical challenges, and troubleshoot issues with guidance from senior staff.

Experience managing event budgets, timelines, production schedules, and project plans, including tracking expenses, purchase orders, invoices, and supporting budget reconciliation.

Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to execute instructions.

Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

Must reside in a U.S. location where Ripple Effect is authorized to employ staff.

Ripple Effect is currently unable to employ individuals whose primary residence is in California, New York, or Puerto Rico.

Skills That Set You Apart

Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.

Meeting or event management certification (e.g., CMP, DES, CGMP, CPCE, or similar) is a plus.

About Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect is a woman-owned, 200-person company of communicators, scientists, researchers, and analysts. Established in 2003, and named as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in 2024 and 2025 by the NABR, Ripple Effect has earned acclaim for delivering unparalleled consulting services and top-tier talent across federal, private, and non-profit sectors.

At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits , and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences.

Learn more about our benefits and culture here.