Job Title: Senior Associate, Special Events

Reports to: Senior Director, Special Events

Status: Full-Time, exempt

Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00

*Applicants are required to submit a cover letter. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The highly productive and collaborative WETA Communications department seeks a polished communications professional with events expertise, strong writing skills, and sound judgement to join our team. The Special Events Associate contributes events management skills to creating and executing internal and external events and projects designed to advance WETA communications, fundraising and marketing goals. The Associate will ensure that events and projects with the Communications department are planned and executed with a strong focus on partner engagement, customer service, event professionalism and cross-departmental collaboration. This full-time position is hybrid, with a minimum of 3 days in the office per week. Pre-planned evening and weekend work will be occasionally required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with senior directors and vice president to plan and execute events of all sizes and scope, from company celebrations, donor gatherings, and community screenings to  local trade show appearances.
• Create proposals and reports for potential funders and partners considering events and venues in the area, including doing research and contacting sites and vendors for information.
• Manage the execution of specific, smaller events such as internal celebrations and luncheons for external groups with minimal supervision.
• Provide talent travel and hospitality support for event guests including hosts, panelists and producers of both local and national WETA productions.
• Work with partners throughout the organization, including the fundraising, production and facilities teams to support events/meetings, including scheduling, setup, catering, gifts for attendees, follow up, etc.
• Develop guidance materials, checklists, forms, and processes to enable outside groups and non-Comms departments to successfully use the facility in keeping with WETA standards, safety protocols, and with minimal disruption to business needs.
• Recruit and oversee volunteers and staff scheduled to assist at promotional appearances.
• Manage and track the purchase, storage and distribution of WETA promotional items and supplies.
• Communicate professionally with colleagues and external partners related to event schedules, setup and execution.
• Special projects as assigned to support to the Communications team across departmental and institutional objectives.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• College degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of event production experience, focused on behind-the-scenes event planning and execution.
• Excellent organizational, project planning, presentation, and time management skills with careful attention to detail.
• Presentation and interpersonal skills to work with talent, executives, and partners on travel arrangements.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences, including internal staff and external vendors and partners.
• Ability to stay cool under pressure, with demonstrable ability to interact with a wide variety of people using diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of computer technology to efficiently accomplish work, using Microsoft Office suite. 

Location:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service. Please also see our Benefits:  Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WETA/NewsHour Productions is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. Fostering a culture of mutual respect is a top priority and something we take very seriously.

Employment at WETA/NewsHour Productions is based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, age, ethnicity or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex (including pregnancy), physical, mental or sensory ability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are also committed to demonstrating fair and equitable systems, practices, and processes related to how we recruit, develop, retain, promote, reward, compensate, and terminate talent. We know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is fundamental to the success of our business and our people, and we will continue to recognize it as part of our guiding principles.