Manager, Event And Venue Operations

Instructions For Internal Applicants

Attention Current Ford Foundation Employees: To submit an application for posted positions, please close this window and log into your Workday account and apply through the Career worklet.

Instructions For Applicants

Please read the following carefully before beginning the online application process. You have two options.

• If you are just joining our general Talent Pool, click on Get Started in the Introduce Yourself section and please disregard the instructions for applicants below.
• To be considered for employment for this specific position/job at Ford Foundation, please complete our online employment application by clicking on the Apply button. Your application and all required attachments must be submitted for each individual job post for which you are interested in applying. If there is an application deadline, please ensure that your application is submitted by the deadline. Once you submit your application you will not be able to edit your application.

Manager, Event & Venue Operations

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

• 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
• Lead regular event analytics, reporting and tracking, ensuring data integrity and accuracy, and guiding director in making strategic decisions around venue usage
• Develop expert knowledge of the various event spaces, setups, capacities, and services to provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders
• Manage application review process, working with director to lead a thoughtful and efficient system to respond to requests and inquiries
• Lead the day-to-day event and venue operations of the Center for Social Justice
• Review, audit and operationalize event guidelines and procedures to ensure that all engagements at the Center are in alignment with foundation policies
• 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
• Act as a event producer and strategist to support internal (Ford) events as needed
• 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
• Lead weekly event operations meetings across teams (A/V, catering, facility, property management, and security) to coordinate logistics, troubleshoot issues, and promote best practices
• Develop standard templates for timelines, BEOs, client communications, staffing plans, etc.

Qualifications

• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communications skills
• Ability to work flexible hours regularly including early mornings and late evenings
• Exceptional negotiation, organizational, presentation skills
• Flexible, highly organized, and provide impeccable follow-up and attention to detail
• Proven self-starter who has project management mastery, prioritizes work assignments and can navigate shifting priorities, timelines, and schedules
• 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
• Proven ability to anticipate next steps, take the initiative, exercise discretion, manage up, and apply sound judgment
• Ability to contribute to a positive, productive, supportive, and motivating environment
• Demonstrated experience working with GSuite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft and Google applications
• Offers innovation, problem solving, critical-thinking skills, and resourcefulness
• Baccalaureate degree in related field or relevant and equivalent experience
• Ability to problem-solve, escalate issues with manager as appropriate, and follow up appropriately on process and procedural issues
• A minimum of five years of experience in event planning, production, operations and venue management
• Demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence to partner and engage effectively with different clients, audiences, and stakeholders

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, [email protected] 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.

Alignment to Culture and Values

• Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and core values of equity, openness, collaboration, trust, accountability and urgency
• Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues
• Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams

Benefits

• Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
• Professional development initiatives for growth
• Office closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Hybrid Workplace and Flexible Work Arrangement policies
• Retirement savings account with matching company contributions of up to 13%
• Generous parental leave (maternal and paternal) during new child’s first year (born into family or adopted)
• Medical and dental benefits for employee and immediate family on first day of work
• Tuition Reimbursement

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. The Ford Foundation does not discriminate against formerly incarcerated individuals.