Head of Events, Works in Progress

Stripe; San Francisco, New York (CA, NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Senior Commercial Events Lead to build and run a US-focused events program. You will design formats, secure sponsorships, and drive revenue and audience growth across live events for Works in Progress.

Based in New York or San Francisco with regular travel, you will own the events P&L, set the calendar, manage budgets and partners, and collaborate with editorial and operations to identify high-impact ideas and speakers.

Qualifications

• Experience launching or substantially expanding a commercial events program.
• Proven record selling and closing event sponsorships and hitting revenue targets.
• Based in New York or San Francisco, with regular travel.

Responsibilities

• Design a model for US events, including sponsorship, ticketing, partnerships and invites
• Set events strategy and build an events calendar
• Own the events P&L and set and hit revenue targets
• Sell and manage sponsorships, and build relationships with sponsors across energy, housing, science, culture, economics and other core Works in Progress topics
• Lead events end to end from concept to on-site delivery
• Work with the editorial and operations teams to identify the right ideas and people for live events, and build guest lists with genuine influence
• Manage budgets, vendors, venues, production partners and timelines

Skills

Commercial events

Sponsorship sales

P&L ownership

Team leadership

Job description

Who we are About the company

the company is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companies - from the world’s largest enterprises to the most ambitious startups - use the company to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Our mission is to increase the GDP of the internet, and we have a staggering amount of work ahead. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to put the global economy within everyone's reach while doing the most important work of your career.

About the team

Works in Progress is the company's magazine of new and underrated ideas to improve the world. We publish an eclectic mix of articles on policy, economics, business, technology, science, history, arts and culture, published online and in print. We have a fast-growing global audience, primarily in tech, finance and politics, and we are building out the team across editorial, design, operations and commercial.

What you’ll do

You will build and run a commercial Works in Progress events program, focusing on the US. You will design events that people want to attend and that you can sell and grow sponsorship for. You will identify sponsors and partners, approach and pitch to them, and be responsible for meeting pre-agreed revenue and audience targets.

We currently offer infrequent events as one of the perks of being a subscriber to the magazine. Our existing community events program includes subscriber events in cities all over the world, particularly San Francisco; New York; Washington, DC; London; Dublin; and Brussels.

You will assess where there are opportunities to raise revenue from our existing pipeline of events or by repeating existing formats, identify which events should be retired, and design new formats of events with commercial potential.

You will have the freedom to design your own events program, which may include a flagship annual summit, salons, themed dinners and lectures. Our events should appeal to ambitious people who are curious about the world. The Works in Progress editorial and operations teams will support you on programming: you will recommend speakers and formats, and we will sign them off. You do not need to arrive already knowing our taste — we will give you clear guidelines to work with. What matters most is commercial drive, energy and excellent production.

You’ll have the budget to add two more people to your team, plus contractors and agencies where needed.

Responsibilities

• Design a model for US events, including sponsorship, ticketing, partnerships and invites

• Set events strategy and build an events calendar

• Own the events P&L and set and hit revenue targets

• Sell and manage sponsorships, and build relationships with sponsors across energy, housing, science, culture, economics and other core Works in Progress topics

• Lead events end to end from concept to on-site delivery

• Work with the editorial and operations teams to identify the right ideas and people for live events, and build guest lists with genuine influence

• Manage budgets, vendors, venues, production partners and timelines

Who you are

We're looking for someone who meets the minimum requirements to be considered for the role. If you meet these requirements, you are encouraged to apply. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum requirements

• Experience launching or substantially expanding a commercial events program, including developing its commercial model, operating plan, and performance measures

• A proven record selling and closing event sponsorship and hitting revenue targets

• Based in, or able to be based in, New York or San Francisco, with regular travel

Preferred qualifications

• Events experience at a media company

• Experience building commercially successful events for a high-value audience, not just a large one

• Existing relationships with sponsors and brands, and with the kind of people we want on our guest lists

• Be an existing fan of Works in Progress