Events Manager

Events Manager
Portland, OR

Powell's Books is seeking to hire an Events Manager at our City of Books location in Downtown Portland.

The Events Manager oversees events programming at the Burnside Store and supports events offsite and at other Powell's locations as needed. They act as part of the Manager on Duty team supporting store operations, and supervise a team of employees in the store. The Events Manager acts as a host and welcoming face of the company, playing an active role to ensure customers have a positive experience at events.


Powell's Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We're committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect - a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

All regular full-time employees enjoy benefits including:

Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental)
401(k) savings plan
Education benefit
Childcare subsidy
Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings
Book borrowing privileges

Pay: $23.08 per hour, or more, depending on experience.


Schedule: The regular schedule is to be determined, but will focus on evenings and weekends, with some flexibility required, depending on event schedule.

Closing Date: Sunday, September 6th, 2026

Additional Information: Please include a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you're interested in the position.

Position Title: Events Manager
Location: Burnside
Group: X5-B
Date: 8/2026

Position Summary:

This position is part of the management team at our Burnside Location in downtown Portland- a high volume, fast paced environment with over 100 employees. The Events Manager works independently and as a part of the management team to oversee events programming at the Burnside Store and to support events offsite and at other Powell's locations as needed. Responsibilities include providing an exceptional in-store customer experience, managing staff on the events team and the retail floor, and coordinating workflow and staffing of events. The Events Manager hosts events when needed and spends much of their time playing an active role to ensure customers have a positive experience at events. Supervises the Burnside Events Coordinator and a team of events-focused employees and other generalists. This position acts as part of the Manager on Duty team supporting store operations and staff throughout the store. Major decisions are reviewed/approved in advance by the Burnside Store Managers or Flagship Store Director. May report to a Burnside Store Manager or Flagship Store Director.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises or coordinates the supervision of Burnside store events and offsite events. Prioritizes event tasks and projects for their team. Schedules event hosts and directs their work. Coordinates with managers and employees at all locations to ensure that events are properly staffed.
• Oversees all aspects of event execution, including room setup, crowd flow, safety, accessibility, signing lines, AV coordination, teardown, and post-event recovery to ensure a seamless customer and author experience.
• Trains, coaches, and develops event hosts and event staff, ensuring consistent execution and customer service standards.
• Responds quickly to changing event conditions, making sound operational decisions to resolve scheduling conflicts, customer concerns, author requests, and other unforeseen issues.
• Ensures all events comply with safety procedures, occupancy limits, accessibility standards, and emergency response protocols.
• Represents Powell's professionally while building positive relationships with authors, publishers, community partners, and customers. Partners with the Burnside Store Managers, Flagship Store Manager, and Marketing Department to plan, coordinate, and execute events, promotions, and community activations that support sales, customer engagement, and the Powell's brand.
• Communicates regularly with purchasing and Retail Distribution Center managers to ensure event inventory is adequately stocked.
• Supports and demonstrates a culture of passionate bookselling including active engagement with customers, handselling, and making recommendations via staff picks, shelf talkers, etc. Holds staff accountable to Powell's Customer Service and Visual Presentation expectations.
• Initiates and follows through with in-the-moment and problem-solving conversations, performance management and progressive discipline as needed. Conducts performance evaluations.
• Takes initiative in advancing new projects and ideas that improve productivity and make for a superior working environment. Educates employees on efficiencies and ergonomics, and reinforces those best practices.
• Performs Manager on Duty functions including, but not limited to, supervision of all sales- floor activity; resolution of the full spectrum of customer service calls; coordination of daily schedule coverage; representing the company to customers, vendors, and media; coordinating with the Operations team, Facilities, Computer Support, and others as needed.
• Acts as a change agent in the store. Helps establish policies, procedures, standards and controls, and helps to convey changes to staff. Ensures company compliance goals are met at Burnside.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• 3+ years demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, implementing, and hosting large-scale events preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, leading, and training employees (retail management and/or bookstore management experience preferred) or demonstrated leadership skills at Powell's.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent computer skills, with a strong desire to learn more.
• Demonstrated ability to make important decisions independently.
• Excellent organizational skills with an ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Definite attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated conflict management and resolution skills.
• Superior initiative, follow-through, and accountability.
• Demonstrated teamwork, team building, and interpersonal skills.
• Absolute ability to maintain confidential information.
• Love of books and reading.
• Physical requirements - V