Senior Event Manager

California Science Center; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Science Center is seeking a Senior Event Manager responsible for planning and executing external and internal events, serving as the primary contact for event accounting and financial reporting.

You will lead a growing team, manage budgets, coordinate logistics, and ensure exceptional customer service for clients and vendors. This role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and a deep understanding of event production.

Qualifications

• BA degree required.
• 6+ years of professional event management experience.
• Highly professional, detail-oriented, customer service-focused self-starter with teamwork.
• Experience mentoring staff and leading a cohesive team.
• Experience budgeting and executing large-scale events.
• Knowledge of event production and design including floorplan development, timelines, A/V, budgets, vendor negotiations, decor, menu planning.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement logistics for the Center’s external and internal events.
• Manage schedules and timecards for direct reports and ensure proper staffing.
• Draft and review vendor contracts for senior management approval.
• Oversee event-related Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, and month-end summaries.
• Interface with clients and vendors to provide excellent customer service throughout the planning process.
• Mentor department’s event managers, coordinators, and production staff.
• Ensure safe operations and protection of Foundation property during events.

Skills

Event management

Staff mentoring

Budgeting

Vendor negotiations

Client service

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

BA Degree

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Financial Edge

Social Tables

Job description

The Senior Event Manager is responsible for planning and executing external (third party) and internal events at the California Science Center. For each assigned event, serves as the primary contact for the department’s event accounting and financial reporting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA Degree required.
• Minimum 6 years of professional event management experience.
• Highly professional, detailed, dynamic, customer service-oriented self-starter who is a proven team player.
• Previous experience managing and mentoring staff and leading a cohesive team.
• Previous experience budgeting, planning, and executing large-scale events.
• Excellent knowledge of event production and design with an emphasis on technical and logistical aspects of event planning including floorplan development, detailed timelines, A/V, budgets, vendor negotiations, decor, menu planning and decision-making abilities.
• Experience working with clients with a track record of providing exceptional customer service.
• Strong time management and organizational skills required as well as the ability to multitask in a work environment where priorities can change quickly. Ability to adapt to challenges and opportunities with a solution-oriented perspective.
• Knowledge of basic accounting, record keeping and contract administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise the requisite degree of discretion and independent judgement when performing job.
• Knowledge of nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations preferred, but not required
• Proficient in Word, with knowledge of Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook based calendar, and ability to learn Financial Edge and Social Tables (diagramming software).
• Weekends, holidays, evenings, very late and early morning hours required
• Ability to stand and walk for a prolonged period of time and bend and lift up 20 pounds.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage schedules and timecards for direct reports, ensuring all events are properly and efficiently staffed.
• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion in interpreting and implementing management policies and operating practices of the Event Services Department.
• Partners with VP and Associate Director to establish short-term and long-term staff goals to foster continuous improvement.
• Provides coaching and feedback to direct reports.
• Plans, coordinates and implements logistics for the Science Center’s external (third party) and internal events.
• Drafts Foundation vendor contracts for senior management approval.
• Responsible for event-related Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.
• Submits month-end event financial summary reports for assigned third party events
• Responsible for assisting with major assignments and special projects as needed.
• Interfaces with assigned clients and vendors to provide excellent customer service throughout the event planning process.
• Conducts site inspections and provides skilled client relations to ensure a successful event outcome.
• Creates and distributes Event Logistics Summaries, event timelines, diagrams and work orders for assigned events.
• Responsible for overseeing staff and volunteers assigned to events.
• Works effectively with caterers and other vendors and provides venue expertise.
• Acts as a liaison between clients and all operating departments of the Science Center.
• Responsible for safe and mindful operations and reasonable protection of Foundation property, exhibits, artifacts, and assets during events.
• Mentors department’s event managers, coordinators, and production staff.
• Attends Events industry related events and meetings representing the California Science Center’s Event Services department
• Performs other duties as required.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the following Event Services staff positions: Event Manager(s), Event Coordinator(s), A/V Manager, Production Manager, Production Supervisor, and Production Crew and temporary staff with authority to provide disciplinary action.
• Assists the VP with training and performance management of all the Senior Event Managers direct reports.
• Directs and manages event staff assigned to his or her events.

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages external event production expenses, including scheduled labor. Responsible for making mindful decisions to support event operations while maximizing the earned revenue potential of each assigned event.

COMPENSATION

$78,000 - $83,000 Annually

The California Science Center Foundation is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace,