Events Manager Jobs in Iowa
Events Manager jobs in Iowa concentrate in corporate meetings and conferences, nonprofit fundraising galas, university programming, and agricultural trade shows tied to the state's dominant industries. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are the largest hiring centers, with established employers like Principal Financial Group, Kirkwood Community College, and MidAmerican Energy maintaining consistent demand for events professionals at coordinator through senior director level. Corporate and association event planning are the most in-demand specialties, alongside venue and conference services management. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Events Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Events Manager jobs








The Events Manager serves as the primary coordinator for event logistics, timelines, and operational planning across the Greater Burlington Partnership. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing events that support the mission and strategic goals of the Partnership.
Working collaboratively with the Executive Directors and staff of each division, the Events Manager ensures that every event is well organized, professionally executed, financially responsible, and delivers an exceptional experience for attendees, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
Key Responsibilities
1. Event Planning & Coordination
- Coordinate the planning and execution of organizational events from initial planning through post-event evaluation.
- Develop and maintain annual event calendars in collaboration with Partnership staff. Annual events should be reserved using a “rolling calendar” method at least 12 months in advance for adequate planning and marketing.
- Create and maintain event timelines, production schedules, checklists and operational plans
- Coordinate venue logistics, catering, audiovisual needs, rentals, permits, insurance requirements and other event-related services.
- Develop contingency plans and troubleshoot challenges before and during events.
2. Event Operations
- Serve as the primary coordinator for event logistics, timelines and operational planning across the Greater Burlington Partnership.
- Manage registration systems, ticketing, attendee communications, event materials coordination and on-site event check-in.
- Coordinate event setup, teardown, signage, equipment, and staff or volunteer assignments to ensure a professional and seamless attendee experience.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for staff, volunteers, vendors, speakers, and partners during events.
- Ensure events are delivered in a professional, welcoming and efficient manner.
3. Budget & Sponsorship Support
- Assist division directors in developing and managing event budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
- Monitor event expenses and help ensure events remain within approved budgets.
- Recommend pricing strategies and cost-saving measures.
- Support sponsorship sales efforts by providing event information, sponsorship details and support to executive directors and sales staff. Coordinate sponsor benefits and recognition to ensure fulfillment of sponsorship commitments.
- Maintain accurate event records, invoices, contracts and vendor documentation.
4. Collaboration & Relationship Management
- Work closely with division directors and staff to understand event goals and priorities.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, speakers, and community partners.
- Collaborate with Marketing & Communications and/or Graphic Design staff to develop event promotional materials, registration information, signage, media needs and other relevant attendee communications.
- Create and coordinate event-specific social media content before and after events to support promotion, engagement, and post-event visibility while maintaining brand standards.
5. Event Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Conduct post-event evaluations including attendance participant feedback, budget performance and sponsor fulfillment.
- Prepare event summaries and recommendations for future improvements.
- Maintain standardized event procedures, planning documents, timelines and checklists to promote consistency and organizational efficiency. This may include documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and other ideas or feedback.
- Recommend enhancements to existing events and identify opportunities for new events or event concepts that increase member value, community engagement, and organizational impact.
Core Competencies
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
- Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, event registration software, database/CRM systems, and other business technology.
- Professionalism, flexibility, and a positive attitude when representing the Greater Burlington Partnership.
Preferred Competencies
· Graphic Design experience using Adobe Creative Suite
· Photography skills and experience are a plus, including the ability to capture high-quality images for use in marketing, social media, website content, and promotional materials.
Qualifications
- Experience coordinating events, meetings, conferences, or community programs preferred.
- Experience working with volunteers, sponsors, or community organizations is beneficial.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Key Relationships
· Executive Directors and Greater Burlington Partnership staff
· Volunteers and committee members
· Chamber members, sponsors, investors, and community partners
· Vendors, venues, caterers, and service providers
· Elected officials, business leaders, and community organizations
· Event attendees and the general public
Job Parameters
· Regular office hours with flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends based on event schedules.
· Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement.
· Local travel is required
- Person must be able to lift 40 lbs
Classification
Exempt Full Time
Job Location
Position functions primarily performed at the Greater Burlington Partnership offices; remote work option available as needed
Supervisor
President/CEO
Pay: $42,000.00 - $47,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
See All 7 Events Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Events Manager JobsEvents Manager Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Events Manager Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in events manager jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, hospitality, or a closely related field
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential preferred or required by mid-level employers
- Three or more years managing end-to-end event logistics including vendor contracts and budgets
- Experience with event management software such as Cvent, Eventbrite, or comparable platforms
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-day conferences for audiences of two hundred or more
- Strong written communication skills for proposals, run-of-show documents, and post-event reports
Events Manager Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a events manager in Iowa?
Iowa has no state-issued license required to work as an events manager, so the path runs through education and recognized industry credentials. Most Iowa employers expect at minimum a bachelor's degree in communications, hospitality, marketing, or public relations. From there, earning the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation through the Events Industry Council is the most widely recognized credential in the state and adds measurable weight to applications at corporations, universities, and large nonprofits.
Which companies hire events managers in Iowa?
Iowa events manager roles are posted by Oak View, BEST Crowd Management, and Bow & Arrow Communications and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's deep base of insurance firms, agricultural associations, and public universities makes it a steady market for events professionals beyond seasonal hiring peaks.
Which Iowa cities have the most events manager jobs?
Des Moines, Adel, and Iowa City account for the largest share of events manager openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the most volume as the state's corporate and financial services hub, Cedar Rapids supports consistent demand through its manufacturing headquarters and community college network, and Iowa City benefits from the University of Iowa's large-scale academic and athletic programming calendar.
Are there remote events manager jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Events management is fundamentally an on-site role, with vendor walkthroughs, venue setup, and day-of coordination that cannot be done remotely. About 33% of events manager openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to be limited to pre-production planning, sponsorship sales, or marketing coordination roles within larger events departments.
How can I get hired as a events manager in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as an events coordinator or administrative assistant within a university, nonprofit, or corporate events department. The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and large Des Moines-based insurers like Nationwide and EMC Insurance regularly hire entry-level coordinators who support senior managers. Volunteering with Iowa nonprofit boards or the Iowa chapter of Meeting Professionals International builds a project portfolio that substitutes for paid experience, and pursuing the CMP Associate certification signals seriousness to hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to events manager jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to events manager jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly through each listing.
See All 7 Events Manager Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Events Manager Jobs