Events & Placemaking Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

The Downtown Spokane Partnership is seeking an organized, dependable, and community-minded Events & Placemaking Coordinator to help bring downtown events, activations, and public-space projects to life.

This position serves as the operational backbone for many of DSP’s programming and placemaking initiatives. The coordinator manages event logistics, vendors, equipment, permits, public-space assets, and the numerous details required to successfully deliver events and activations throughout downtown Spokane.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys turning plans into action, takes pride in creating welcoming public spaces, and is comfortable moving between office-based project coordination and hands-on work in the field. The strongest candidate will anticipate needs, solve problems calmly, and ensure important details do not fall through the cracks.

Key Responsibilities

Events and Activations

• Coordinate logistics for DSP-produced events, programs, and downtown activations.
• Manage event permitting, vendor coordination, contracts, insurance requirements, and supporting documentation.
• Develop and maintain event timelines, work plans, checklists, and operational materials.
• Coordinate event equipment, supplies, deliveries, storage, setup, and teardown.
• Assist with staffing plans involving employees, volunteers, ambassadors, vendors, and contractors.
• Support sponsorship fulfillment by coordinating event-related partner benefits and logistics.
• Serve as the onsite operational lead for assigned events and activations.
• Identify emerging issues and implement practical solutions before and during events.

Placemaking and Public-Realm Projects

• Coordinate the maintenance and upkeep of DSP-managed placemaking assets.
• Support the installation, removal, and maintenance of banners, signage, planters, lighting, public art, wayfinding elements, and seasonal decorations.
• Maintain accurate inventories of placemaking assets, event infrastructure, equipment, and supplies.
• Monitor downtown infrastructure and public-realm concerns and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Assist with the implementation of placemaking projects and other improvements that make downtown more welcoming, attractive, and engaging.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, property representatives, and public agencies supporting project implementation.

Community and Stakeholder Coordination

• Build productive relationships with downtown businesses, property owners, event producers, vendors, and community partners.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for organizations and event producers navigating downtown logistics.
• Participate in planning and coordination meetings with City departments, contractors, and community stakeholders.
• Support outreach to businesses and property representatives regarding events, activations, construction, and infrastructure projects.
• Represent DSP professionally and positively in interactions with partners and members of the public.

Administration and Reporting

• Track event and project budgets, purchases, invoices, and expenditures.
• Maintain organized records of contracts, permits, insurance documents, vendor information, and project materials.
• Assist with attendance tracking, event reporting, sponsorship documentation, and impact measurement.
• Prepare project updates and reports for organizational leadership, committees, and boards.
• Support continuous improvement by documenting lessons learned and recommending operational enhancements.

What You Bring

The successful candidate will be a highly organized problem solver who enjoys coordinating complex projects and seeing tangible results. You are dependable, adaptable, comfortable taking ownership of assignments, and willing to step in wherever needed to help the team succeed.

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in downtown Spokane, community-building, events, and public spaces.
• Strong organizational, project-management, and time-management skills.
• Consistent attention to detail and follow-through.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Sound judgment and composure when plans change or challenges arise.
• The ability to work independently while remaining a collaborative and supportive team member.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships with people from a variety of organizations and backgrounds.
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to assist with physical event operations.
• Flexibility to work outdoors and support events during occasional evenings and weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in event coordination, hospitality, operations, project coordination, community development, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, permits, logistics, events, or other public-facing projects.
• Demonstrated project-management and organizational capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, vendors, public agencies, stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities with limited supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to successfully complete required background-check and drug-screening processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting community events, festivals, public-space activations, or downtown programs.
• Familiarity with event permits, certificates of insurance, vendor agreements, or municipal coordination.
• Experience maintaining equipment, supplies, public-space assets, or operational inventories.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between downtown project and event locations.
• Familiarity with downtown Spokane and its business, cultural, and community organizations.

Why Join DSP?

The Downtown Spokane Partnership offers the opportunity to do visible, meaningful work that directly contributes to the vitality of downtown Spokane. You will join a collaborative team that values initiative, reliability, creativity, and excellent execution.

Eligible full-time employees receive:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Twelve paid holidays annually.
• 80 hours of accrued vacation annually, in addition to Washington paid sick leave.
• A 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution.
• Monthly transportation or parking stipend.
• Monthly technology stipend.
• Optional long-term disability and life-insurance coverage.
• Eligibility for organizational performance bonuses.
• Flexible scheduling and occasional remote-work opportunities when operationally appropriate.

Some benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and applicable waiting or probationary periods.

About the Downtown Spokane Partnership

The Downtown Spokane Partnership is dedicated to creating a dynamic, vibrant, livable, and sustainable downtown. As a private, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, DSP serves as Spokane’s central-city advocate and leads initiatives supporting economic vitality, community vitality, marketing, activation, and public-space enhancement.

DSP has managed the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District since 1995, providing supplemental programs and enhanced services throughout an approximately 80-block area encompassing nearly 1,500 property owners and business tenants.

Learn more at DowntownSpokane.org .

How to Apply

Complete the online application at: downtownspokane.bamboohr.com/careers

A complete application must include:

• Completed online employment application.
• Current résumé.
• Cover letter describing your interest in the position and downtown Spokane.
• Responses to all supplemental application questions.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Selected candidates will be contacted directly regarding the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Downtown Spokane Partnership is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity. DSP recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

All employees must be authorized to work in the United States, and employment-eligibility verification is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.