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Careers at ACEC Minnesota

ACEC Minnesota is the statewide professional association for consulting engineering firms doing business in Minnesota. Our member firms plan, design, and deliver the transportation, water, energy, environmental, and building infrastructure that supports Minnesota's communities and economy. We advance the business of engineering through advocacy, business resources, and leadership development, and we serve as Minnesota's member organization of the American Council of Engineering Companies, the national federation representing consulting engineering across the United States.

Our work spans three strategic directions. Advocacy engages state and federal policymakers on issues that affect how engineering firms operate and how Minnesota invests in its infrastructure. Business resources help member firms navigate industry changes, build connections, and grow their businesses. Leadership development supports engineers and firm leaders at every career stage.

ACEC Minnesota is a small, member-driven organization where all staff positions collaborate across functions. Each role on our team owns a meaningful share of the work, and staff routinely contribute beyond their primary function as needed. We rely on a close partnership between staff and the member volunteers who help us deliver our advocacy, programming, and events. We look for team members who are energized by variety, comfortable taking ownership of multiple workstreams, and willing to evolve with the organization.

Current Job Openings

ACEC Minnesota is seeking an Event Planner to lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the organization's major events and event-related logistics. This role is responsible for managing ACEC Minnesota's event portfolio as a core organizational and revenue function, with particular attention to quality, consistency, sponsor experience, exhibitor experience, financial discipline, and operational execution. The Event Planner will serve as the primary internal lead for event delivery and as a core contributor across sponsorship sales, marketing, and social media. The role requires strong project management, sound judgment, vendor management skills, budgeting discipline, and the ability to manage many moving pieces without losing control of details. This position works closely with the CEO, Director of Operations, Director of Government Affairs, member representatives, vendors, venues, committee leaders, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Position Description – Event Planner

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Classification: Full-time, exempt

Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Travel: 25% primarily local and regional, with some early mornings, evenings, and limited weekend work required around events

Compensation: $75,000–$95,000 commensurate with experience

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2026

Responsibilities 

Events 

  • Lead planning and execution of ACEC Minnesota's major events
  • Develop detailed event timelines, work plans, production schedules, and run-of-show documents
  • Coordinate event logistics from initial planning through post-event follow-up
  • Anticipate and resolve logistical issues before they affect event delivery
  • Serve as the primary on-site staff lead for assigned events
  • Track lessons learned and recommend improvements to event processes and participant experience
  • Help build repeatable systems that improve operational consistency and reduce risk exposure over time
  • Support the CEO and Director of Operations in event budget development by providing historical data and vendor cost information as requested
  • Track event expenses against approved budgets throughout the planning and execution cycle, and flag variances promptly to the CEO and Director of Operations
  • Ensure events meet revenue goals and stay within approved expense budgets

Vendor Management 

  • Source and manage relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, exhibit vendors, registration vendors, and other event-related contractors
  • Coordinate event contracts, service expectations, deadlines, and deliverables in partnership with the CEO and Director of Operations
  • Monitor vendor performance and address problems promptly and professionally
  • Maintain administrative access to and operational control of all event management platforms, registration systems, and event-related data on behalf of ACEC Minnesota
  • Execute all event elements to ACEC Minnesota standards

Sponsor/Exhibitor/Attendee Coordination 

  • Coordinate exhibitor and sponsor logistics, including deadlines, materials, benefits, setup details, and follow-up
  • Maintain accurate records related to event participation, sponsors, exhibitors, and event logistics
  • Coordinate attendee-facing event communications consistent with ACEC Minnesota approval and brand standards
  • Ensure sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees receive timely and professional communication
  • Lead sponsorship and exhibitor sales for ACEC Minnesota events, including outreach, prospecting, renewal, and pipeline management
  • Develop and maintain sponsorship and exhibitor benefit structures, pricing, and packaging in coordination with the CEO

Communications Coordination 

  • Work with ACEC Minnesota staff to ensure event materials, timelines, registration pages, invitations, and event communications are accurate and timely
  • Review event-facing content for consistency and clarity
  • Support promotional timelines and event communication needs in partnership with staff
  • Plan and execute marketing campaigns and social media presence for ACEC Minnesota events, programs, and organizational visibility
  • Maintain consistency of brand, voice, and visual identity across event and organizational communications

Required Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in hospitality, communications, event management, marketing, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
  • 3 to 5 years of professional event planning or event management experience
  • Experience managing multi-part events with many stakeholders and deadlines
  • Experience with registration systems, event logistics, venue coordination, and sponsor or exhibitor management
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines with limited supervision
  • Comfort working in a small-staff environment where collaboration and ownership matter
  • Willingness and ability to contribute beyond events, including in marketing, communications, sponsorship sales, and social media, as the organization's needs evolve
  • Familiarity with event budgeting and vendor contract coordination
  • Proficiency with event management software

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Background in an association, nonprofit, member-based organization, or professional-services environment
  • Prior work supporting conferences, award programs, sponsorship programs, or exhibitor-based events
  • Track record of building event workflows and repeatable systems
  • Experience in marketing, communications, or social media management for an organization or program
  • Demonstrated success in sponsorship development or revenue-generating partnerships

What You Can Expect In Return

  • Full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $75,000 to $95,000 commensurate with experience
  • Bonus potential
  • Hybrid work environment with regular in-office presence and flexible remote work
  • Health insurance plans, including a Health Savings Account (HSA) option
  • Dental insurance
  • Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Employer-paid life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match
  • Health and welfare benefits effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment
  • Paid time off and eight paid holidays
  • Employer-paid garage parking
Apply for the Events Manager Position
Apply for the Events Manager Position
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