Event & Projects Lead

Location: Colorado Springs, CO — Catalyst Campus and U.S. Air Force Academy

Work Arrangement: Primarily onsite four days per week; Friday remote work may be available based on business needs

Salary Range: $66,000–$76,000 annually

Government Access: Must obtain and maintain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC)

Security Clearance: Not currently required; ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance may be required in the future

Recruitment Partner Notice

This position is being recruited and advertised by The O'Neil Group Company, LLC on behalf of Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI) . Applications will be submitted through The O'Neil Group Company, LLC; however, the selected candidate will be employed directly by Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI) directly and will work onsite at a Colorado Springs location.

About Catalyst Campus

Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation (CCTI) brings together government, industry, academia, startups, and entrepreneurs to accelerate technology development and deliver critical aerospace and defense capabilities. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CCTI supports a collaborative defense innovation ecosystem with a growing national presence.

Position Summary

The Event and Projects Lead independently plans and coordinates events ranging from approximately 50 to 250+ participants in support of CCTI and its AF CyberWorx government customer. Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, this individual develops event concepts and recommendations for customer approval and manages budgets, venues, vendors, communications, schedules, and execution. The role also supports project documentation, reporting, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. Team support is available as needed; this position has no direct reports.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, present for approval, plan, and execute mission-relevant events connecting government, industry, and academia. Propose at least one event per quarter, with the final number and scope based on event size, customer priorities, and available resources.
• Own event planning and logistics, including budgets, hotel and venue arrangements, catering, registration, equipment, participant communications, program materials, and onsite delivery.
• Research and evaluate vendors, tools, and event options; recommend solutions that balance quality, cost, timing, and customer objectives.
• Coordinate sprints, CyberNext events, Colliders, and other technology transfer and transition activities; lead kickoff meetings and clarify requirements with the Senior Program Manager, customer, and stakeholders.
• Develop action plans, schedules, resource requirements, and project documentation; coordinate team assignments, monitor progress, and elevate risks or issues.
• Create email campaigns, website and social media content, flyers, presentations, and other event communications in collaboration with marketing and program teams.
• Capture event and project outcomes through notes, participant feedback, detailed summaries, quarterly reports, and edited technology scouting reports.
• Research new tools, develop standard operating procedures, and recommend improvements to event delivery and team processes.
• Support travel requests and reports, industry participant interviews, marketing materials, and team administrative needs as assigned.
• Represent CCTI and AF CyberWorx at conferences or tradeshows and contribute recommendations to program strategy. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Four or more years of professional event planning and/or project coordination experience, including substantial responsibility for events ranging from approximately 50 to 250+ participants.
• Experience managing event budgets, vendors, venues, catering, participant communications, schedules, and onsite logistics.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in project management, event management, hospitality, communications, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Working proficiency in Microsoft 365 and WordPress.
• Strong writing, presentation, organization, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing requirements.
• Ability to develop and present recommendations, exercise independent judgment within assigned responsibilities, and coordinate execution following customer approval.
• Ability to meet the onsite work schedule and applicable government credentialing and installation-access requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting government, military, or Department of Defense customers and collaborations involving industry or academia.
• Experience with Mailchimp, Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, and Eventbrite.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures and documenting event or project outcomes.

Government Access and Security Requirements

The selected candidate must obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC) and satisfy applicable government credentialing, background investigation, and installation-access requirements for work at the U.S. Air Force Academy. A security clearance is not currently required. Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance may become necessary if future contract requirements change.

Work Location Schedule and Travel

This position generally works onsite four days per week: Monday at Catalyst Campus and Tuesday through Thursday at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Friday remote work may be available based on customer and business needs; it is not guaranteed, and onsite attendance or schedule changes may be required. Occasional evening work is required to support events. Weekend work is not currently anticipated. Infrequent conference travel may be required, including occasional overnight stays.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in office, government worksite, and event settings, with noise levels generally ranging from quiet to moderate. Event setup and support may involve occasionally lifting or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary range is $66,000–$76,000. Final compensation will be based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, and skills.

Benefits

Eligible employees are offered health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; a 401(k) with matching; flexible spending and health savings accounts; an employee assistance program; paid time off; parental leave; professional development assistance; and tuition reimbursement, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements.

How to Apply

Apply through this LinkedIn / Indeed job posting and submit your resume using the application option provided. Applications are anticipated to close on October 31, 2026 at the latest.

Applicants may redact age-identifying information, including age, date of birth, and dates of school attendance or graduation, from submitted resumes and other application materials without penalty.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CCTI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and employment.