Event Planner

The Phi Beta Kappa Society will celebrate its 250th anniversary alongside the nation in 2026. This upcoming milestone presents a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the Society's story, reflect on its impact and values in fostering a vibrant democracy and culture, reimagine its membership experience to better reflect its diverse membership network, expand future understanding of arts and sciences education, and introduce the importance of our mission to a broad audience beyond our membership.

During a survey taken at the Society’s 2024 Triennial, delegates from Phi Beta Kappa chapter institutions and alumni associations identified national events as an important way that they would like to participate in the 250th anniversary. To augment current staffing at the national office, the Society will need to hire a fixed-term (25-30 months) Event Planner. The Event Planner will work with our contracted event management company to collaborate on the design, execution, and evaluation of mission-aligned enriching events for a wide range of audiences with guidance from senior leadership, program teams, and administrative staff.

The event planner responsibilities include:

• Manage event activities to ensure consistent oversight and alignment to goals and priorities
• Collaborate with event planning contractors and PBK leadership on an ongoing project plan to guide PBK action and external-facing deliverables
• Act as a key point of contact for vendors, speakers, guests, and awardees
• Liaise regularly and work collaboratively across teams — especially with leadership, communications, and donor relations — to ensure timely completion of event tasks in a brand-aligned and member-centric way
• Develop and support the deployment of clear and inviting communications for speakers and guests throughout the event experience, from pre-event logistics through post-event feedback
• Provide detail-oriented budget management such as tracking, processing, and reconciling expenses and receipts to ensure accurate budget management for events
• Source, cost, and approve production of brand-aligned event materials and gifts in collaboration with PBK program staff

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, ideally with a demonstrated interest in the liberal arts and sciences in line with the Society’s goals for enriching programming
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event management with an understanding of large-scale event planning and logistics
• Proven track record of prioritizing time-sensitive and concurrent assignments
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with attention to detail
• Demonstrate excellence in judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making
• Skilled at working with high-profile VIP talent and guests
• Self-starter, highly motivated, positive attitude, team spirit
• Proficiency in database management (preferably IMIS), basic website content management systems, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite, and other computer skills, as required
• Have flexibility for extended hours including nights and weekends when on-site events are taking place

Preferred Qualifications

• Four or more years of experience in the nonprofit sector working on events
• Experience developing and managing a schedule of activities for senior staff, board members, or key volunteers
• Knowledge of event practices for cultural organizations, higher education, and/or membership organizations
• Phi Beta Kappa membership

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PhiBetaKappaSociety/EventPlannerApplication.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with priority consideration given to applications submitted before April 7, 2025.

About Phi Beta Kappa

Since its founding in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa has celebrated excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and championed freedom of thought. As America’s most prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa is uniquely equipped to advocate for the value of liberal arts and sciences education and to seek support for its mission-driven work from over 700,000 members nationwide. More information at pbk.org.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an equal opportunity employer.