Event Planner

Event Planner

As an Event Planner, you will play a key role in bringing company and associate events to life through strong organization, coordination, and attention to detail. Working closely with the Events Manager, and cross-functional partners, you'll support the planning and execution of engaging events that reflect CarMax's culture and values.

You will coordinate event logistics, maintain timelines and budgets, support vendors and communications, and help ensure important details stay on track. This role is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creating meaningful experiences, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is eager to build their event planning and project management skills.

You will work as part of a collaborative, fast-paced team focused on creating engaging workplace experiences, recognition programs, and company events. Success in this role requires strong organization, attention to detail, curiosity, and a commitment to delivering excellent service while balancing multiple priorities.

Role Responsibilities

• Support company events from planning through completion, coordinating logistics, timelines, vendors, facilities, communications, volunteers, and day-of event needs under the direction of the Events Manager and with other event team members.
• Maintain the details and tools that keep events on track, using AI, spreadsheets, timelines, databases, and project management tools to track milestones, budgets, logistics, and deliverables.
• Coordinate event logistics
• Track event budgets and expenses, maintaining accurate records, and escalating questions or variances as needed.
• Partner with internal teams to coordinate event communications, invitations, registration information, and marketing collateral.
• Support vendor coordination, including gathering information, tracking deadlines and deliverables, and serving as a point of contact for assigned event needs.
• Maintain event calendars, databases, checklists, templates, and project documentation, ensuring information is accurate and current.
• Support day-of event execution, helping troubleshoot needs and deliver a seamless associate and guest experience.
• Respond to associates, leaders, vendors, and partners with timely, professional, hospitality-forward service.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing post-event feedback, documenting learnings, and identifying opportunities to make future events more efficient and consistent.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Business, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 02 years of experience in event coordination, hospitality, project coordination, operations, customer service, administrative support, or a related area; internship, volunteer, campus, or other relevant experience may be considered
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and follow-through
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort using spreadsheets and digital tools to organize information, track details, and maintain accurate records
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with associates, internal partners, and external vendors
• Ability to take directions, ask questions, and work independently on assigned responsibilities
• Interest in learning event planning, project management, budgeting, and vendor coordination
• Ability to travel overnight and work occasional evenings or weekends in support of events

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship, volunteer, hospitality, campus programming, or event experience
• Experience with project management tools, spreadsheets, registration platforms, or event technology
• Experience supporting events, meetings, conferences, hospitality programs, or customer-facing experiences

Work Location and Arrangement : This role will be based out of the CarMax Home Office (Richmond, VA) and associates will work onsite 4 days per week.

Work Authorization: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be considered for this specific role.

About CarMax

At CarMax, we revolutionized the used car buying experience over 30 years ago by introducing transparency and integrity into the process. Our commitment to customer experience, innovation, and community has made us the nation's largest used car retailer. With over 250 store locations and over 30,000 associates, we are proud to have been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and are committed to helping our communities thrive.

As an associate, you are part of an innovative movement to empower the modern customer and drive progress. Your work fuels changesparking ideas, overcoming challenges, and shaping what's next. Join us in creating a better future for our company, our customers, and the communities we call home.

CarMax is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The annual salary for this position is:

$51,800.00 - $77,700.00

May be eligible for bonus and equity.

Benefits:

Except as otherwise required by state law, CarMax Associates are entitled to the following paid sick, vacation, and holiday time.

Associates that are considered full-time hourly or commission/incentive eligible:

• To earn up to 48 hours of sick time per year accrued on a per pay period basis and between 80 hours and 200 hours per year of vacation time after a 90 day waiting period depending on years of continuous service with the Company.
• For 8 hours of pay for each of a total of 6 paid scheduled holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday. If such an Associate does work on a scheduled holiday due to business need, they are eligible for Holiday Premium Pay.

Associates considered full-time salaried are entitled to paid time away with no specified limit as needed for sick, vacation, bereavement, jury duty, holidays, floating holiday, etc. subject to manager approval.

For more details about benefits, please visit our CarMax Benefits website.

Upon an applicant's request, CarMax will consider reasonable accommodation to complete the CarMax Job Application.