Corporate Events Experience Program Manager - Hybrid to Kerrville, TX

Job Summary This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing corporate events, large-scale conferences, Associate tours, and company merchandise programs across Corporate, Retail, and Manufacturing. Partners with Associates, vendors, community organizations, and various stakeholders to deliver well-organized, engaging, and personalized experiences that support and align with James Avery Craftsman’s business objectives and culture. Oversees event and program management, including logistics, budgeting, vendor coordination and cross-functional execution, ensuring successful delivery of events, tours, and merchandise initiatives while maintaining a high level of quality and participant satisfaction. WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING •Strategizes, plans and executes corporate events, meetings, conferences, Associate events, Board meetings, service award dinners, and related functions successfully and within budget. •Manages events and projects from concept through completion, including creative ideation, stakeholder coordination, logistics, attendee experience, security, catering, décor, engagement activities, and post-event follow up. •Ensures events are curated to create a personalized experience with thoughtful content and engaging experiences. Coordinates with a cross-functional team to support and achieve James Avery Craftsman’s (JAC) objectives with each event, tour and program delivered. •Plans, promotes, and executes tours, festivities, events, and related diverse activities while fostering positive relationships with Associates, various stakeholders, merchants, businesses and community partners. •Manages all event operations and logistics including, but not limited to space planning, attendee journey, security, catering & decor, activities & engagement, and other related event needs. Sources and works with event planners as needed. •Negotiates vendor agreements and contracts in partnership with Legal and Risk Management; sources and manages event planners and vendors as needed. •Forecasts, develops and manages event budgets, reporting, metrics, and year-over-year (YOY) planning to measure success and support future strategy. •Collaborates with stakeholders and Creative Services to develop company merchandise for Associates, including pricing, order quantities, and program execution. •Leads projects and events of varying scale, providing clear direction to Associates, volunteers, and cross-functional partners. •Plans and manages Associate tours of manufacturing and corporate facilities as requested. WHAT YOU WILL NEED •Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or related field; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. •5 years of experience in event planning or similar work, including demonstrated experience planning and executing conferences. •Financial and budgeting knowledge with substantial negotiation and contracting experience. •Strong relationship-building and communication skills with Leadership, Associates and various stakeholders. •Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail. •Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and efficiently delegate assignments, projects and tasks. •Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. •Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. •Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends dependent upon events and business needs. •Ability to travel to various work and event locations as business need requires. Preferred Qualifications •Leadership or supervisory experience. •Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Meeting Manager (CMM), Certified Special Events Professional (SCEP), Digital Event Strategist (DES) or similar certification. •Proficiency in event management software. •Event management experience in a manufacturing and/or retail environment.