Event Manager

Position Summary

The Event Manager will be the main point of contact for internal and external events at The BrandLab. The successful candidate will work closely with the Leadership Team, sponsors, and on-site volunteers to ensure the success of each event. They will also be responsible for creating and managing event budgets, overseeing volunteers, coordinating event logistics, and managing event vendors and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Fearless Conference, Ignite Gala
• These two signature events are critical in spreading the awareness and meeting the financial needs of The BrandLab. The Events Manager will have ownership over the following items:
• Identifying potential locations and dates for these in-person and hybrid events
• Work with event vendors to book spaces, sign contracts, and negotiate details
• Secure audio/visual, photography, videography, and other event vendors
• Create and maintain event budgets
• Assist the marketing team and conference committees to promote event materials across channels
• Create a planning timeline, event run-of-show/agenda, and program 
• Partner with internal teams to secure speakers and emcees, and logistics associated (e.g., contracts, payments, travel, etc.)
• Work with sponsors to identify guest lists, food preferences, and other event logistics
• Recruit and manage event volunteers
• Develop and implement registration and event attendance strategies 
• Solicit silent and live auction items
• Work with marketing department to create and deliver a visual event space plan 
• Work with marketing department to print materials, organize event supplies, and physically set up and staff events
• Act as the on-site event liaison to staff, volunteers, and guests
• Conduct post-event analysis and evaluation, thank staff, speakers, guests and volunteers
• Follow up with donors and sponsors as needed post-event

Program-Specific Event Support

• Support program staff to plan and hold program-specific events (Event examples include Summer Mondays, Partner Matching Events, and End of Program Celebration
• In partnership with the Partner team, secure locations for each event
• Set-up registration and attendee tracking for each event 
• Assist staff in securing food and beverages for each event
• In partnership with program staff, develop a merchandise recruitment strategy to provide for interns
• Distribute promotional and marketing materials for each event
• Coordinate with partners to reserve space for each event
• Act as an on-site liaison during each event
• Coordinate photographers for events

Overall Event Strategy

• Create annual event strategy with the National Development Director, Program Staff, and Leadership Team
• Research and prospect additional events that will uplift The BrandLab in desired communities 
• Establish a strong event volunteer network
• Track metrics and evaluate event impact

Qualifications

• Passionate about our mission of creating radical change. 
• Passionate about building a more equitable creative workforce.
• This is a small non-profit, and the person in this role will need to be able to multitask, juggling several projects and prioritizing them effectively and efficiently. 
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.
• 1-4 years experience.
• Positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration.
• A high degree of initiative and comfortable rolling up your sleeves to dig in.
• Strong partnership, communication, and collaboration skills.

About The BrandLab

The BrandLab is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in the Midwest with offices in Minneapolis, MN, Milwaukee, WI, and Kansas City, MO, introducing exciting training and connecting young people ages 15-25 to careers in the marketing and advertising industry. 

Our offices are unique because each of our three locations resides inside a marketing or advertising agency. These agencies provide our team with office space, basic infrastructure, and support for The BrandLab for a minimum of one year to ensure The BrandLab is supported by a broad-based coalition and not only one agency. In addition, this unique approach to office space helps us create strong community support for our mission to benefit the industry and provides our team with a bright, lively work environment - that often hosts free food and lots of fun. 

Since 2009, The BrandLab has worked towards creating a more equitable and inclusive industry. The BrandLab works to change the industry by introducing and connecting young people who identify as a person of color to opportunities in the creative and marketing space. Additionally, we work with the industry to create more inclusive and equitable work environments so individuals can feel a sense of belonging and thrive once they arrive.