Anime Expo - Event Planner

$41,600 - $47,840/Yr

The Society For The Promotion Of Japanese Animation - Corona, CA

Part-time - Entry Level

Corona, CA

About the position

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is seeking a passionate and experienced Event Planning Coordinator to join our dynamic team in Corona, CA. This role is pivotal in executing our flagship event, Anime Expo, which attracts over 100,000 attendees annually. As an Event Planning Coordinator, you will be responsible for the day-to-day administration and coordination of various SPJA events, ensuring that all projects adhere to their scope, schedule, and budget. You will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders, managing vendor relationships, contract administration, and volunteer recruitment. Your creativity and organizational skills will be essential in bringing our events to life and upholding the company's mission and core values. In this role, you will own every aspect of event planning, from booking venues and scheduling guests to managing the full cycle of contract management. You will also participate in the development of original content for our events and frame new ideas for approval from senior management. As the point of contact for day-to-day communication with third-party vendors, industry partners, and sponsors, you will help create operational budgets and keep timelines and budgets under control. Additionally, you will identify staffing solutions for events and provide onboarding training for respective departments, ensuring that all team members are well-prepared for their roles during conventions. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of event planning experience, advanced knowledge of Excel, and a customer-service mindset. Bilingual proficiency in Japanese is a plus, as is a professional certification such as CaPM. You should be able to remain calm under pressure and have a strong understanding of financials, budgets, forecasts, and variance reports. A respect for anime, Japanese culture, and familiarity with fandom communities will enhance your ability to connect with our audience and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Handle the day-to-day administration and coordination of several SPJA events, including Anime Expo.
• Own every aspect of event planning, including vendor relationships, contract administration, and volunteer recruitment.
• Uphold the company's mission and core values with every event.
• Recruit volunteer personnel as needed across all functions within your department.
• Book venues, schedule guests, and manage the full cycle of contract management.
• Participate in the development of original content for events.
• Frame up new ideas for approval of senior management.
• Serve as point of contact for all day-to-day communication with third party vendors, industry partners, and sponsors.
• Help create operational budgets and keep budgets and timelines under control.
• Identify different staffing solutions for events and provide onboarding training for respective departments.

Requirements

• 2+ years of event planning experience and/or 2+ years experience providing support to senior level management.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel is a must.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a customer-service mindset.
• Understanding of financials, budget, forecast, variance, and related reports.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office and online software programs.
• No commitments to other conventions.
• Must be able to perform required tasks and manage staff at conventions away from SPJA office.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual in Japanese is a plus.
• Professional certification such as CaPM is desirable but not required.
• Respect for anime, Japanese culture, and its lifestyle, and familiarity with fandom communities is a plus.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance