Staff Events Manager

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Location: San Diego, CA
Travel: 20–25%

Position Summary

The Staff Events Manager is responsible for executing high-profile internal and executive events globally, ensuring seamless delivery of programs that support company priorities and leadership engagement. This role partners closely with senior stakeholders to translate event strategies into high-quality, flawlessly executed experiences.

This individual owns the full event lifecycle—from planning through execution and post-event reporting—ensuring alignment with organizational goals, brand standards, and operational excellence. The role requires strong executional leadership, exceptional project management, and ability to deliver complex programs in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.

Success in this role requires exceptional project management capabilities, discretion, and the ability to drive flawless execution across multiple concurrent programs involving senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Event Strategy Execution & Program Delivery

• Execute global internal events that support executive engagement, leadership alignment, and strategic company initiatives
• Deliver high-profile programs including executive meetings, leadership summits, and internal conferences
• Ensure all events are delivered in alignment with brand standards, messaging priorities, and organizational expectations

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of complex events including venue sourcing, contracting, registration, communications, and on-site management
• Coordinate all event logistics including food & beverage, audiovisual production, transportation, lodging, and event technology platforms
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are met
• Lead on-site execution, managing real-time adjustments to ensure a seamless experience

Executive & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with executive leadership teams, executive assistants, marketing leadership, and corporate communications to align on event execution needs
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver event content, presentations, and stakeholder participation
• Serve as a primary point of contact for senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment and execution readiness
• Support executive readiness through coordination of briefing materials, run-of-show documents, and speaker logistics

Budget Management & Workstream Oversight

• Manage event budgets, ensuring alignment with approved plans and disciplined resource allocation
• Track expenses, manage forecasting, and reconcile final event costs with a high degree of accuracy
• Oversee multiple event workstreams including logistics, production, content coordination, and stakeholder engagement
• Ensure all deliverables are executed on time and within budget across internal teams and external partners
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and optimize spend across programs

Vendor & Agency Management

• Prepare RFPs, source venues, and negotiate contracts with hotels and event suppliers
• Manage relationships with external vendors including production partners, venues, and technology providers
• Lead external agency engagement, ensuring alignment on scope, timelines, and quality for complex programs
• Provide oversight and direction to agencies supporting large-scale or commercial programs to ensure seamless integration with internal teams and standards
• Ensure procurement and vendor governance guidelines are followed

Event Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Track event performance metrics and gather stakeholder feedback to inform improvements
• Manage event data and reporting, documenting outcomes and recommendations
• Identify opportunities to improve operational execution, attendee experience, and program delivery
• Define and track success metrics aligned to business and leadership objectives

Qualifications

Required

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree
• Proven experience managing complex, high-visibility events with senior leadership participation
• Extensive experience managing event logistics including venue sourcing, contracting, audiovisual production, and vendor management
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively with senior executives and leadership teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to operate with discretion and professionalism in executive environments
• Ability to work in-office in San Diego on a hybrid schedule

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field
• Experience within life sciences, healthcare, technology, or other regulated industries
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification
• Experience with event technology platforms such as Cvent for registration and attendee management

The estimated base salary range for the Staff Events Manager role based in the United States of America is: $107,700 - $161,500. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.