Jobs & Careers

Title: Events Manager

Report: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Wilmington, Delaware 

Position Type: Exempt 

Travel: Occasional 

About Spotlight Delaware
Spotlight Delaware is a nonprofit, collaborative, community-powered newsroom with a mission to engage, empower and connect Delawareans with local news and information. We envision a Delaware where all neighbors have access to the local news and information they need to thrive on a daily basis, participate in local democracy and engage with their communities.

POSITION SUMMARY

Spotlight Delaware is seeking an Events Manager to lead and grow the organization’s expanding portfolio of live events. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this position is responsible for planning, producing and evaluating events that advance Spotlight Delaware’s mission, deepen community engagement, and generate significant revenue.

The Events Manager oversees signature events such as the Legislative Summit, Health Care Summit and First State Fun Day; member events including the annual Impact Reception and member mixers; community programs such as the Breaking Bread series; tabling opportunities at community events; and new event concepts. The position collaborates closely with the Editor in Chief, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Director of Community Engagement and Marketing Manager to create exceptional experiences for attendees, sponsors, speakers and community partners.

This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. The successful candidate will build a reliable process for event management, strategize ways to grow event revenue, ensure seamless sponsorship fulfillment, and help scale Spotlight Delaware’s events program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role requires considerable flexibility, working time outside of traditional office hours, reliable transportation, willingness to travel throughout the state and physical mobility.

To perform in this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Event Strategy & Planning

• Manage Spotlight Delaware’s annual calendar of conferences, member events, community engagement events and outreach activities.
• Work with the COO to develop event budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Recommend new event concepts, formats and operational improvements.
• Develop planning timelines, production schedules, playbooks and standard operating procedures to improve consistency and scalability.

Event Production & Logistics 

• Lead end-to-end event logistics including venue selection, contracts, catering, AV, registration, signage, vendors and production.
• Negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships.
• Recruit, train and supervise volunteers and temporary event staff.
• Serve as lead on-site producer, troubleshooting issues and ensuring an exceptional attendee experience.
• Assist with setup and teardown when appropriate.

Editorial & Cross-Department Collaboration 

• Partner with the Editor in Chief to execute newsroom-led events while the newsroom retains ownership of editorial programming.
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Engagement on programs such as the Breaking Bread series.
• Partner with the Marketing Manager on promotional strategy while providing event information, assets and timelines.
• Work with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to develop sponsorship packages.
• Oversee fulfillment of sponsor benefits and create an outstanding sponsor experience before, during and after events.
• Own event registration platforms and attendee communications.

Continuous Improvement

• Conduct post-event debriefs and maintain event documentation.
• Standardize planning processes and vendor management.
• Launch new event series that support Spotlight Delaware’s mission and strategic goals.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum Experience: 3–5 years of professional experience that includes planning and executing events, even if event management was only part of previous responsibilities.
• Experience with event registration and ticketing platforms preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Commitment to Spotlight Delaware’s mission.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors and sponsorship fulfillment.
• Experience with revenue generating events preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across editorial, marketing, operations and development.
• Comfort working evenings and weekends as events require.

The ideal candidate will have all of these qualifications. But if you have most of them and think you could do a great job, please apply!

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation: $55-$65K/year (commensurate with experience)

In addition to competitive pay and the opportunity to work with a great group of people, Spotlight Delaware provides exceptional benefits to all eligible employees. Current benefits for full-time employees include:

• Excellent health, dental and vision coverage
• Four weeks PTO
• Nine paid holidays plus three floating holidays
• 403(b) with employer match
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Paid parental leave

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@spotlightdelaware.org by Aug. 25.

We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities.