Events Manager

$130,000 - $150,000/Yr

Playground Global - Palo Alto, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Onsite - Palo Alto, CA

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities

About the position

Playground Global is an early-stage deep tech venture capital firm that is dedicated to transforming ambitious ideas into impactful businesses that benefit humanity and the planet. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Playground focuses on investing in areas such as next-generation computing, automation, energy transition, and engineered biology. The firm has a diverse portfolio that includes pioneering companies like PsiQuantum, Relativity Space, Ultima Genomics, and more. The Events Manager will play a crucial role in community building through events, which is a core aspect of Playground's identity. The community encompasses Founders, Venture Capitalists, Strategic Corporate Venture Capitalists, Limited Partners, and the broader innovation economy ecosystem. The Events Manager will be responsible for planning and executing a variety of dynamic and engaging events that cater to this community. This position requires strong collaboration skills, as the Events Manager will work closely with various investing and operating partners at Playground. The ideal candidate will be meticulous, organized, and capable of managing multiple moving parts under pressure. They will need to handle last-minute changes or challenges with minimal disruption while maintaining a strong customer service mentality. The Playground office, a unique 70,000-square-foot space that was formerly a cannery, features multiple conference rooms, a cafe with private chefs, and exhibits showcasing Playground's investments. While most events will be organized at the Playground office, some functions will take place at industry conferences in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and New York.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute a range of events throughout the calendar year, from small gatherings and thematic happy hours to large-scale meetings with over 150 attendees.
• Communicate and work cross-functionally to spearhead and support programming to broaden and deepen Playground's ecosystem.
• Manage every aspect of event logistics, including venue/room selection, vendor management, budgeting, on-site coordination, order placements, travel planning, restaurant reservations, registration counts, and RSVP tracking.
• Act as the main point of contact for events, gathering and disseminating all relevant information to attendees, speakers, and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage event timelines to ensure all deliverables are on schedule.
• Maintain proactive and high-quality service to event attendees and stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot issues that arise during the planning and execution of events, providing timely solutions.
• Collaborate with operations and culinary teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Use and continue to build our CRM to drive effective distribution lists.
• Prepare internal stakeholders for conferences and events.

Requirements

• Proven experience in event planning or management is a must.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with competing deadlines and high stakes.
• Experience in negotiating and managing budgets and tracking expenses effectively.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to handling challenges.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a customer-service-focused mindset.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, hustle, and extreme attention to detail.
• Ability to successfully collaborate in cross-functional team event execution from idea through execution and post-production analysis.
• Comfort, desire, and confidence with regular business travel and hosting site visits in Palo Alto.

Benefits

• Competitive performance bonus plan based on individual performance and company success.