EVENT MANAGER

Job Location: ARLINGTON, VA 22201 Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 annually About the Role The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is seeking an Event Manager as part of our Events team to be responsible for planning and executing exceptional events that advance the Mercatus mission. The portfolio will include planning and execution or support of events for other teams within the organization on an as‑needed basis. This position will provide primary strategic development and logistical planning for a range of events that include conferences, workshops, and policy events. The Event Manager will work closely with the event and program teams to ensure that all events advance stated objectives. The candidate will oversee and execute all aspects of events from beginning to end, including venue selection and coordination, contract negotiation, strategic program planning, marketing, and post‑event measurement. The Event Manager must be willing to work evenings and weekends when necessary. The position requires travel between the Arlington and Fairfax offices. Specific Duties Event Production : Plans attendee travel and lodging, and on‑site execution of venue logistics pertaining to space, food and beverage, security protocols, volunteer and support staff supervision. Builds and manages relationships with vendors, staff, scholars, attendees, and other constituents. Event Evaluation : Conducts post‑event team debriefs to refine the process for the future events and collaborates with other stakeholders to more effectively use resources to uphold and enhance the Mercatus standard of excellence. Event Budget and Expenses : Plans cost‑effective events without sacrificing quality and standard of excellence, tracking event expenses, and creating budget spreadsheets for each event. Submittal of timely expense reports and invoice payments. Event Team Support : Prepares event materials and sets up event spaces as needed. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience. A minimum of 4 years of related work experience in event strategy, planning, and execution, including complex and high‑profile events. Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of the organization. Strong organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with event registration and management platforms and Google communication tools. Salesforce experience considered a plus. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and foster relationships through a professional presence. Excellent teamwork and customer service skills. Ability to think critically and handle emergency situations, demonstrating sound judgment under pressure. Availability to travel and work nights and weekends on a regular basis. How to Apply Please submit your cover letter and resume through our online application process. Your cover letter must indicate your interest in the Mercatus Center's mission. Employee Benefits Review Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. In addition, Mercatus provides excellent benefits to all individual employees, including full health and dental coverage, unlimited paid time off, long‑term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, parking/travel benefits, and twelve free credits per year at George Mason University. EEO Statement The Mercatus Center is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. E‑Verify The Mercatus Center participates in E‑Verify. Upon hire, Mercatus will provide the U.S. Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. #J-18808-Ljbffr Mercatus Center