The application deadline is June 30th. However we encourage you to apply early if interested, as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Please submit both a resume and cover letter to be considered.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
The Event Strategy & Production (ESP) Department seeks a Manager, Event & Venue Operations. Reporting to the Director, Event Strategy & Production, this full-time position will be primarily responsible for day-to-day event and venue operations of the Center for Social Justice and lead the management of external-facing events at the foundation.
The Ford Foundation is a leader in convening a wide variety of events and engagements related to social justice. Strategic, well-crafted events are a powerful way to advance our mission and build momentum for change. Events include, but are not limited to, conferences, summits, seminars, talkbacks, film screenings, symposiums, artistic and cultural programming, and other gatherings. The manager plays a crucial role in furthering the vision of the institution to make the Center a convening hub for staff, tenants, grantees and partners.
The Manager, Event & Venue Operations is a proven event producer, tactician and administrator who can ensure the strategic, sophisticated and smooth operation of the foundation’s Center for Social Justice. The leader will be responsible for coordinating external events from run of show to execution, partnering across internal operations teams (A/V, catering, facilities, property management, and security) to ensure these engagements are implemented seamlessly. Under the supervision of the Director, the manager will play a leadership role in managing venue operations, enforcing event procedures and policies, sharing best practices, and tracking analytics. A successful candidate carries exceptional organizational and people skills, is solutions and systems oriented, and offers good humor and thoughtfulness to a growing global events team. This role may supervise temporary staff, contractors, and vendors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Venue & Operations Management
- Lead the day-to-day event and venue operations of the Center for Social Justice
- Manage application review process, working with director to lead a thoughtful and efficient system to respond to requests and inquiries
- Develop expert knowledge of the various event spaces, setups, capacities, and services to provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders
- Review, audit and operationalize event guidelines and procedures to ensure that all engagements at the Center are in alignment with foundation policies
- Lead regular event analytics, reporting and tracking, ensuring data integrity and accuracy, and guiding director in making strategic decisions around venue usage
- Partner with the Office of Communications to create and publish event and venue resources and collateral on the institution’s public site and other platforms, as needed
- Track industry and event trends to evolve event operations and venue management systems and processes to the next level
Event Logistics & Coordination
- Oversee the management, coordination and logistics of external events at the Center for Social Justice
- Project manage assigned event portfolio, from agenda to execution, leading kickoff and check-in calls with clients, and coordinate necessary production elements to ensure execution excellence
- Manage, coach and mentor temporary staff, providing leadership, input and advice when needed, address challenges, and provide feedback to ensure event expectations and deliverables are met
- Lead weekly event operations meetings across teams (A/V, catering, facility, property management, and security) to coordinate logistics, troubleshoot issues, and promote best practices
- Coordinate entering all event services and details, track event progress, conduct walk-throughs, submission of venue agreements, verify certificates of insurance, finalize room-setups, A/V, catering and security needs
- Develop standard templates for timelines, BEOs, client communications, staffing plans, etc.
- Act as a event producer and strategist to support internal (Ford) events as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Baccalaureate degree in related field or relevant and equivalent experience
- A minimum of five years of experience in event planning, production, operations and venue management
- Ability to work with minimal direct supervision and manage multiple events/projects while being a committed team player who can mentor other members of the team
- Demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence to partner and engage effectively with different clients, audiences, and stakeholders
- Proven self-starter who has project management mastery, prioritizes work assignments and can navigate shifting priorities, timelines, and schedules
- Flexible, highly organized, and provide impeccable follow-up and attention to detail
- Offers innovation, problem solving, critical-thinking skills, and resourcefulness
- Proven ability to anticipate next steps, take the initiative, exercise discretion, manage up, and apply sound judgment
- Exceptional negotiation, organizational, presentation skills
- Excellent analytical, written, and oral communications skills
- Demonstrated experience working with GSuite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft and Google applications
- Ability to contribute to a positive, productive, supportive, and motivating environment
- Ability to problem-solve, escalate issues with manager as appropriate, and follow up appropriately on process and procedural issues
- Ability to work flexible hours regularly including early mornings and late evenings
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND TRAVEL:
This job requires frequent movement around the building, occasional lifting of event materials, and frequent written and verbal communication with clients and partners. This role may require some travel in the U.S. and internationally.
The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact, PeopleandCulture@fordfoundation.org or call (212) 573-4627.
LOCATION:
This position is based in the foundation’s New York office. We operate in a hybrid model and require staff to be in the office three days per week.
SALARY:
The Ford Foundation is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $109,000 and the maximum is $127,000.