Event Manager

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is where top classical liberal scholars solve real-world challenges. Grounded in the tradition of market-oriented thinking and classical liberal ideas, we equip high-agency talent to apply bold ideas that shape institutions, inform policy, and help people flourish.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is seeking an Event Manager to join the events team and lead the planning and execution of exceptional events that advance the mission of Mercatus. This role will also include planning, executing, and supporting events for other teams across the organization as needed.

The Event Manager will provide primary strategic development and logistical planning for a range of events including conferences, workshops, and policy events. From initial planning through post-event review, the Event Manager will oversee and execute all aspects of each event, including venue selection and coordination, contract negotiation, strategic program planning, marketing, and measuring event success. This role will work closely with the event and program teams to ensure each event achieves its goals.

This is a hybrid role based in Arlington, VA, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the office. The Event Manager must be able to work evenings and weekends as necessary as well as travel between the Arlington and Fairfax offices. The salary range for this role is $65,000 to $80,000 depending on skills and experience.

• Coordinates attendee travel and lodging for events in portfolio.
• Coordinates and oversees on-site event logistics, including venue setup, food and beverage, security, and volunteer and support staff.
• Builds and manages relationships with vendors, staff, scholars, attendees, and other constituents. Prepares event materials and sets up event spaces as needed.

• Leads post-event debriefs to identify improvements and uphold the Mercatus standard of excellence.

• Plans exceptional events while managing costs, tracking expenses, and overseeing event budgets.
• Submits timely expense reports and invoice payments.

• Provides additional planning and onsite assistance for events managed by other events team members as needed.

• 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.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely across 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.
• Proficiency with Google communication tools.
• Prior experience with Cvent is preferred.
• Salesforce experience is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Excellent teamwork and customer service skills.
• Ability to think critically, respond effectively to unexpected situations, and exercise sound judgment under pressure.
• Availability to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.

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.

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.

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.

There is no Final date to receive applications for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.