Events Manager

Reports to: Director and Deputy Director, Campus Progress

Department: Campus Progress

Staff reporting to this position: Two Events Associate Managers

Position classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Summary:

The Center for American Progress has an immediate opening for an Events Manager, working for the Center’s Campus Progress division. The Events Manager will lead and coordinate all aspects of speaking programs—most to be held on college and university campuses or in Washington, D.C. —sponsored or cosponsored by Campus Progress. The Events Manager will supervise two Associate Managers and work to develop substantive speaking programs, recruit and maintain relationships with speakers, and work with campus and community groups, faculty, and student organizers to arrange speaking programs, including speaker travel and accommodations, logistics, and publicity.

Since our launch in February 2005, Campus Progress has held over 500 campus and national events. Speakers have included Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Russ Feingold, John Lewis, Keith Ellison, Tammy Baldwin, Al Sharpton, Majora Carter, Paul Begala, Cornel West, Helen Thomas, E.J. Dionne, Samantha Power, Seymour Hersh, Naomi Klein, Asra Nomani, Talib Kweli, Fat Joe, Ted Leo, and many more, including up-and-coming young leaders. We’ve held debates and discussions on issues from the Iraq war to hip-hop culture, economic mobility to global warming. With partners like HBO, PBS, National Black Programming Consortium, and leading film studios and directors, we have presented films on a wide range of issues. And we’ve held an annual national conference for 1000 young people from across America. The Events Manager will direct this work.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Devises innovative and engaging speaking events and tours—including speeches, debates, trainings, workshops, film screenings, performances, and social events—that advance the goals of Campus Progress and students working with us.
  • Builds ties with Campus Progress’s student chapters, representatives and advisory board members, and with other student organizers, groups, and faculty and staff in order to facilitate speaking programs.
  • Travels around the country to coordinate events and to develop relationships with speakers and student organizers.
  • Expands and updates database of speakers, from government leaders to younger experts and activists to performing artists, suitable for Campus Progress events.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with policy and communications staffs at the Center for American Progress.
  • Works with Campus Progress and Center for American Progress staff, as well as local organizers, on speaker travel and accommodations, event planning, publicity, and logistics.
  • Develops budgets, monitors expenditures, handles reimbursements, and ensures appropriate accounting procedures for speakers bureau programs.
  • Assists in organizing the Center’s annual Campus Progress National Student Conference, including speaking programs, trainings, issue discussions, and networking/social opportunities.

Requirements:

  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong event planning and logistics experience.
  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines in fast-paced environment.
  • Strong writing and speaking skills.
  • Knowledge of key policy issues and debates.
  • Travel required.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • At least three years of event planning experience.
  • Organizing, outreach, activism, policy, or administrative experience a plus.
  • Commitment to organization’s mission and goals.

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize our progressive agenda: The Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress provides a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.AmericanProgress.org.

For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.AmericanProgressAction.org.

To apply, simply e-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: Jobs@AmericanProgress.org.

Or you may write to:
Center for American Progress
Attn: Human Resources Department
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor – Campus Progress Search
Washington, DC 20005

In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.