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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
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.
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.
Venue & Operations Management
Lead the day-to-day event and venue operations of the Center for Social Justice
Manage application review process, working with director to lead a thoughtful and efficient system to respond to requests and inquiries
Develop expert knowledge of the various event spaces, setups, capacities, and services to provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders
Review, audit and operationalize event guidelines and procedures to ensure that all engagements at the Center are in alignment with foundation policies
Lead regular event analytics, reporting and tracking, ensuring data integrity and accuracy, and guiding director in making strategic decisions around venue usage
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
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
Lead weekly event operations meetings across teams (A/V, catering, facility, property management, and security) to coordinate logistics, troubleshoot issues, and promote best practices
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
Develop standard templates for timelines, BEOs, client communications, staffing plans, etc.
Act as a event producer and strategist to support internal (Ford) events as needed
Baccalaureate degree in related field or relevant and equivalent experience
A minimum of five years of experience in event planning, production, operations and venue management
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
Demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence to partner and engage effectively with different clients, audiences, 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 innovation, problem solving, critical-thinking skills, and resourcefulness
Proven ability to anticipate next steps, take the initiative, exercise discretion, manage up, and apply sound judgment
Exceptional negotiation, organizational, 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 evenings
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, PeopleandCulture@fordfoundation.org 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.
#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.