Event Engagement Lead

Event Engagement Lead
Location: Herndon, VA (Hybrid)
Clearance: None
Travel: 50% CONUS

About the Opportunity
Stillwater Human Capital is seeking experienced and highly motivated Event Engagement Lead to support a federal customer through the planning, execution, and follow-up of nationwide recruiting events.
The Event Engagement Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing small-scale events while supporting the successful delivery of large regional and national events. This role serves as the primary liaison for event participants, candidates, guests, sponsors, and other stakeholders, ensuring a positive and engaging event experience throughout the event lifecycle.
The ideal candidate is organized, customer-focused, adaptable, and thrives in fast-paced environments while balancing operational execution with candidate engagement.

Key Responsibilities
End-to-End Event Management

• Support the full lifecycle of recruiting events from planning through post-event closeout.
• Lead the planning and execution of assigned small sized events.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for attendees, candidates, visitors, and event stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with event participants and community partners.
• Represent the organization at events and external engagements.
• Monitor event success metrics and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Exercise independent judgment in developing event engagement plans, prioritizing resources, and tailoring event approaches based on customer objectives, audience needs, and recruiting goals.
• Advise program leadership and customer stakeholders on event readiness, candidate engagement strategies, risk areas, and recommended corrective actions to improve event outcomes.
• Manage event logistics, communications, registrations, and on-site activities.
• Assist and coordinate with event logistics, staffing coordination, schedules, shipping, inventory, and recruiting materials.
• Participate in pre-event planning meetings and readiness reviews.
• Identify and resolve operational issues before and during events to ensure successful execution.
• Lead post-event activities including inventory reconciliation, documentation, reporting, and after-action feedback.

Candidate Engagement & Recruiting Support

• Serve as one of the primary points of contact for prospective candidates throughout the recruiting event experience.
• Welcome, register, and guide candidates through the event process.
• Conduct initial candidate engagement and provide information regarding career opportunities, hiring processes, and event activities.
• Collect resumes and candidate information while ensuring documentation is complete and accurate.
• Ensure candidates receive a professional, engaging, and seamless experience from arrival through departure.

Event Operations & Execution

• Lead onsite booth setup, branding, equipment preparation, and event breakdown activities.
• Manage recruiting materials, promotional items, technology, signage, and event supplies.
• Monitor booth operations and candidate flow throughout the event.
• Coordinate with venue personnel, vendors, and event staff to resolve operational issues.
• Ensure recruiting areas remain organized, professional, and fully operational.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities, staffing needs, and customer requirements.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Capture event metrics including candidate engagement, attendance, resumes collected, interview activity, and operational performance.
• Maintain accurate records within applicant tracking systems and event reporting tools.
• Lead post-event reporting, after-action reviews, and lessons learned.
• Identify trends and implement operational improvements and process efficiencies for future events.
• Analyze event performance data and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, assess effectiveness, and recommend changes to event processes, outreach methods, and candidate engagement practices.

Team Collaboration

• Partner closely with recruiters, Event Coordinators, Program Management, and customer representatives throughout the recruiting event.
• Provide cross-functional support across multiple simultaneous recruiting events.
• Assist with contingency staffing and operational coverage when needed.
• Mentor newer event staff on recruiting event processes and best practices.
• Develop and communicate best practices, standard operating guidance, and lessons learned to improve consistency, quality, and efficiency across recurring recruiting events.
• Represent Stillwater Human Capital and the customer with professionalism at all times.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent professional experience may be substituted.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience supporting recruiting operations, recruiting events, talent acquisition, event management, customer engagement, or a related field.
• Experience supporting recruiting events from planning through execution and post-event reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and recruiting or applicant tracking systems.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the United States in support of recruiting events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal or government recruiting events.
• Experience supporting and coordinating nationwide recruiting events, career fairs, conferences, or outreach campaigns.
• Familiarity with applicant tracking systems, candidate relationship management (CRM) platforms, and event registration software.
• Experience collecting recruiting event metrics and preparing post-event reports.
• Experience supporting logistics, shipping, inventory management, and event operations.
• Background in recruiting coordination, talent acquisition operations, or workforce planning.

Core Competencies

• Recruiting Operations
• Event Planning & Execution
• Candidate Experience
• Talent Acquisition Support
• Customer Engagement
• Event Logistics
• Project Coordination
• Operational Problem Solving
• Communication & Relationship Management
• Data Collection & Reporting
• Organization & Time Management
• Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments

Working Conditions

• Work is performed at recruiting events, conference centers, universities, military installations, hotels, convention facilities, and other customer locations.
• Frequent domestic travel is required, often supporting consecutive multi-day recruiting events.
• Position requires extended periods of standing, walking, lifting, and interacting with candidates throughout event operations.
• Must be able to lift and transport recruiting materials, displays, and event equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday work is frequently required based on recruiting event schedules.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain all customer-required credentials, facility access, and security requirements necessary to perform assigned duties.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000

The above salary range represents a general guideline. Stillwater considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers, such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills, and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime and/or discretionary bonuses in addition to base pay.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class. If you need assistance with the application process due to a disability, please contact us at 571-543-0171