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The Event Strategy & Production (ESP) Department seeks a Event Producer & Strategist to join their team. Reporting to the Director, Event Strategy & Production, this full-time position will be primarily responsible for the planning, curation, production, and execution of strategic events across all audiences.
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, employee engagements, and other convenings and gatherings - in-person, hybrid, virtual, on and off-site.
The Event Producer is a proven event strategist, curator, and project leader who can build and bring convening concepts to life and drive event production, logistics, and operations from inception to execution. Under the supervision of the Director, the senior producer will primarily partner across the organization to bridge programmatic priorities and communication strategies to build and execute dynamic, inclusive, and impactful engagements. A successful candidate is innovative, versatile and manages projects and priorities exceptionally well while offering good humor and thoughtfulness to a growing global events team.
Event Design, Planning & Production
Lead the planning, production, and logistics for a portfolio of assigned institutional events
Drive event strategy, design and curation, collaborating on content development to shape engagements that align with event objectives, identified audiences, programmatic priorities, and communication strategies
Project manage assigned event portfolio in collaboration with team, lead kickoff and planning meetings, develop work plan, and drive all pre-production needs: timelines, run-of-shows, updating trackers, agenda, rehearsals, updating trackers, drafting memos, documenting progress and ensuring all stakeholders are brought along and aligned
Direct and oversee event production and execution; leading front and back-of-house management, including accessibility, registration, setups, signage, staffing plan, security, speaker prep, talent wrangling, decor, and other triaging other unforeseen elements
Participate in off-site site visits and advance planning and design trips, venue sourcing, contract negotiation, and assisting in managing relationships with external vendors, consultants, agencies, etc.
Partner with the Production Coordinator on oversight of event creative, collateral and communications (from save-the-dates to post-event follow-up), event engagement strategy, invitation build and management, asset development, and other materials as needed
Operations & Systems Management
Oversee event information management, working with colleagues to ensure all event services and details are accurately documented in the foundation’s various systems
Manage event contracts, invoices, and requisition requests in close partnership with Department Coordinator to track progress, approvals, and accuracy of cost center coding
Partner with team to revise and refine event operations, systems, processes, guides and templates
Assist the Director in regular evaluation of event portfolio, organize analytics and feedback, refine foundation-wide event best practices and conduct cross-team training and presentations
Track industry and event trends to support creating new innovative ideas for future events and engagements
The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience with event design, curation, planning, and production
Baccalaureate degree in a related field or relevant and equivalent experience
Passion for social justice, community-building, and storytelling is highly desired
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
Experience with interdepartmental collaboration and managing vendor and other external relationships
Demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence to partner and engage effectively with different audiences, clients, and stakeholders
Proven self-starter who has project management mastery, prioritizes work assignments and can navigate shifting priorities, timelines, and schedules
Flexible, highly organized, and provide impeccable follow-up and attention to detail
Offers creativity, innovation, critical-thinking skills, and resourcefulness
Proven ability to anticipate next steps, take the initiative, exercise discretion, manage up, and apply sound judgment
Exceptional budget management, negotiation, organizational, and presentation skills
Excellent analytical, written, and oral communications skills
Demonstrated experience working with GSuite, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft and Google applications
Ability to contribute to a positive, productive, supportive, and motivating environment
Ability to problem-solve, escalate issues with manager as appropriate, and follow up appropriately on process and procedural issues
Ability to work flexible hours regularly including early mornings and late evening
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, PeopleandCulture@fordfoundation.org or call (212) 573-4627.
The Ford Foundation is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $109,000 and the maximum is $127,000.
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.
#LI-Hybrid
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
Hybrid Workplace and Flexible Work Arrangement policies
Medical and dental benefits for employee and immediate family on first day of work
Retirement savings account with matching company contributions of up to 13%
Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
Tuition Reimbursement
Office closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Professional development initiatives for growth
Generous parental leave (maternal and paternal) during new child’s first year (born into family or adopted)
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.