Events Manager

About New America: New America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States. New America is dedicated to renewing the promise of America by continuing the quest to realize our nation's highest ideals, honestly confronting the challenges caused by rapid technological and social change, and seizing the opportunities those changes create.

New America is proud to serve as a gathering place for events—both online and in-person—to exchange ideas, spotlight new research, and engage with diverse perspectives. Every year, New America’s events bring together people across sectors and disciplines to help shape policy discussions and drive solutions to real-world challenges. New America’s events include panel discussions, day-long conferences and seminars, book talks, fireside chats, design workshops, and more.

About the role: New America is seeking a personable, creative, highly-organized Events Manager who will successfully manage the organization’s public events and private convenings.

Working closely with the Director of Communications and our entire Central Communications team, the Events Manager will be responsible for planning, executing, and analyzing the performance of New America’s events and convenings.

Responsibilities:

Event planning

• Collaborate with programs and studio production teams to develop event logistics and agendas;
• Support management of events calendar;
• Coordinate in advance with event speakers and high-profile guests, and manage speaker/guest lists;
• Manage, budget, and report on event purchases, contracts, vendors, invoices and expenses;
• Coordinate catering, meeting materials, and accessibility accommodations;
• Arrange photography, additional videography, interpreters or other necessary event elements;
• Edit, prepare, format, distribute, and manage event invitations and registration through the website and newsletters;
• Oversee event venue design and configuration, including event signage;
• Work with building management and facilities on issues of elevator access, building security and safety needs, HVAC needs, repairs to the event space;
• Prepare run-of-show documentation;
• Generate day-of staffing plans for events and program staff, including backup support plans;
• Work with social media and program colleagues to promote events.

Event execution

• Manage, monitor, and run virtual events (working with program and studio production teams);
• Greet and interact with event attendees and participants as New America’s events representative;
• Manage and monitor Q&A and comments from virtual participants;
• Directly support—or develop support/staffing plans—for Q&A and breakout sessions at in-person events;
• Provide day-of staffing, oversight, direction, and troubleshooting.

Event analysis

• Support improvement and development of events management process/systems;
• Advise stakeholders on creative event ideas, event best practices, amenities, and design;
• Generate and analyze event-related metrics.

Qualifications:

Candidates for this position should have the following:

• At least 4 years of experience in event management, preferably for a nonprofit or university; hotel and hospitality experience is a plus;
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including comfort and discretion with VIP audiences;
• Comfort with public speaking;
• Comfort managing conflicting priorities or feedback;
• Comfort with managing multiple projects (at multiple stages) and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment;
• Basic understanding of managing resources/budgets;
• Ability to multitask, pivot, and take initiative to solve problems in real time;
• Mastery of office and teleconferencing technology:
  • Adept with a variety of applications across Google Suite and Microsoft.
  • Adept with Zoom, Zoom webinars, and other webinar technologies.
  • Familiarity with project management software (such as Asana) is a plus.
  • Familiarity with events management software (such as Splash) is desirable.

Location: Candidates must reside in the Washington, DC-based area, with the expectation that this role will work in the office at least two days per week, or as frequently as needed for in-person events at New America. This role will have flexibility to work from home on days when in-person events are not scheduled on site at New America. Event responsibilities may occasionally require early morning or evening hours.

Compensation and benefits: This position is a full-time role with benefits. The annual salary will be between $70,000 – $78,000, depending on experience. New America offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, and vision coverage; a generous retirement plan; observes all federal holidays; 20 days of paid time off (combined vacation and sick days) in your first year of employment and 30 days of paid time off in subsequent years; 12 weeks of paid parental leave; and an office-wide closure between Christmas and New Year.

How to apply: Submit a cover letter and resume. Applicants without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. The deadline to apply is April 30. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are recommended. Please, no phone calls or emails.

New America is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our clientele, our employees and our communities. We value and encourage the contributions of our employees and strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and drive outstanding results. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.