Event Coordinator, Live Journalism

semafor; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Semafor, based in Washington, DC, seeks an Events Coordinator to drive flagship conferences and live programs. You will manage materials, logistics, speaker bios, and day-of execution while collaborating with senior leaders and an elite events team.

You will integrate AI tools to accelerate research, automate scheduling, and improve post-event analysis, ensuring seamless experiences for VIPs and clients.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in event coordination, media, or executive assistance in a high-velocity environment.
• Impeccable judgment, comfort with ambiguity, and calm under fast live events.
• Exceptional project management skills with strong attention to detail and ability to juggle priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; team player.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Produce flagship event materials: draft, format, and distribute briefing packets for VIP speakers and clients, plus run-of-show schedules.
• Support end-to-end event logistics: lead venue research, vendor sourcing, shipments, and on-site setup.
• Pioneer AI adoption: integrate generative AI and workflow tools to draft bios and summarize research.
• Architect creative solutions: design quick, resourceful workarounds for live production changes.
• Maintain and improve team systems: SOPs, shared drives, timelines, trackers, and action items.
• Provide high-touch support to SVP and event leaders with scheduling and communications.
• Manage post-event assets and data to inform future event strategy.
• Be on-site during events with flexibility for early mornings and periodic travel.

Skills

Event coordination

Project management

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

Who we are

Semafor is a global news platform for an increasingly complex world in which consumers are overwhelmed by too many news sources and unsure what to trust. We are building Semafor to enable world‑class journalists to deliver reporting and insights with rigor in journalistic forms that ensure a new level of transparency. Our editors and reporters distill the most important stories from all over in formats that uncover the forces shaping the stories, explain the interests behind polarizing narratives, and replenish the stock of shared facts. As a global platform, Semafor recognizes that smart people can disagree and that informed readers need to understand alternative points of view from competing centers of power and culture in a multi‑polar world. Want to join us? Read on.

About this Role

Semafor Live Journalism brings together world leaders, innovators, and newsmakers for high-stakes, agenda‑setting conversations. As our Events Coordinator, you will serve as the operational engine room behind these flagship convenings‑working directly alongside our SVP & Head of US Events and an elite live journalism team.

This is more than an administrative and operations role; it is a fast‑paced command center position at the intersection of media, live production, and executive operations. You will turn complex logistical moving parts into seamless, world‑class event experiences. If you thrive under the pressure of a breaking‑news environment, take pride in hyper‑organized workflows, and love experimenting with modern tech to solve problems faster, join us.

Your Responsibilities

• Produce Flagship Event Materials: Draft, format, and distribute high‑signal briefing packets for VIP speakers, moderators, and clients, alongside master run‑of‑show schedules.
• Support the Execution of End‑to‑End Event Logistics: Lead venue research, assist with vendor sourcing and contracting, coordinate event shipments and collateral, and manage on‑site setup and staffing on production days.
• Pioneer AI Adoption: Integrate generative AI and workflow automation tools into daily operations‑accelerating the drafting of speaker bios, summarizing pre‑meeting research, automating calendar triggers, and synthesizing post‑event feedback.
• Architect Creative Solutions: Serve as an agile, on‑the‑fly problem solver who designs resourceful, out‑of‑the‑box workarounds whenever live production curveballs, venue constraints, or last‑minute scheduling changes arise.
• Engine‑Room Operations: Build, maintain, and elevate team‑wide systems‑including SOPs, shared Google Workspace drives, master event timelines, inventory trackers, and crisp meeting action items.
• Executive & Team Support: Provide high‑touch support to the SVP and event leaders, assisting with schedule coordination, executive inbox flow, client call preparation, and follow‑ups.
• Asset & Data Management: Organize post‑event collateral, high‑resolution photo libraries, attendee rosters, and key performance metrics to inform future event strategies.
• Live Production Presence: Serve as a core on‑site team member on event days (requires flexibility for early mornings, occasional evenings, and periodic domestic travel).Lead the preparation and maintenance of event materials, including client, speaker, and moderator briefing documents, day‑of run show documents, and biographies
• Some early morning, evening, and occasional travel may be required

What makes you qualified

• 1-2 years of experience in event coordination, media, or executive assistance in a high‑velocity environment (Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience)
• Impeccable judgment, comfort with ambiguity, and a calm, customer‑service‑driven composure when live events move fast
• Exceptional project management skills with the strongest attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and competing priorities
• Strongest communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and Word, and Google Workspace

Additional Job Details

• This position is based in Washington, DC; Monday through Thursday onsite in Semafor's Penn Quarter office.
• Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours and travel domestically and internationally on an as‑needed basis.

Salary Range

$55,000 - $65,000/year. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc.

Benefits

• Semafor offers a Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy to our full‑time, salaried employees who may take paid time off as‑needed without a prescribed limit or defined balance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Semafor, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. Semafor, Inc. will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender exp