Event Manager

Overview

Event Manager

Full-time, exempt with benefits, $52,000 – $59,000 annual salary.

About the Role:

Trailnet is changing the way people think about streets. The Event Manager will show people what better streets look and feel like through inspiring event experiences.

The Event Manager leads Trailnet’s Rides program, overseeing event production, sponsorship, and participant recruitment. They collaborate with a contracted technical support team to deliver high-quality experiences for 3,000+ riders and 200 volunteers annually. They work closely with colleagues to drive sponsorship revenue, recruit riders and volunteers, and steward members. The Event Manager also supports logistics for additional Trailnet events as needed.

Trailnet Rides run from April to October every year, starting in a variety of locations throughout the region. Our “Classics” season is a set of seven rides, and we also host a handful (3-5) of smaller “Community” rides throughout the season. All of these events take place on the weekend.

The ideal candidate will be a highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented professional with a strong sense of prioritization who enjoys building collaborative relationships with colleagues, partners, sponsors, attendees, and other stakeholders to co-create meaningful, inspiring experiences.

• Plan and execute Trailnet Rides, the annual Beans Bikes and Brews event, and other events as assigned, including logistics, venues, vendors, run of show, and on-site management.
• Manage subcontracted Technical Support Team that handles route design, marking, and course logistics.
• Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers, including establishing and supporting a Rides Committee for the Board of Directors.
• Develop participant communications and respond to questions or feedback.
• Manage event budgets: keep expenses within budget and meet revenue targets.
• Collect and analyze event feedback; produce post-event reports and share lessons learned with leadership and partners.

• Identify, solicit, and steward sponsors; activate sponsorship benefits and maintain relationships post-event to reach sponsorship revenue goals.
• Create meaningful, innovative, mutually beneficial partnerships with sponsors.

• Build relationships with bike shops, groups, and community partners to drive registration.
• Collaborate with Membership Coordinator to administer membership discounts and free ride vouchers.
• Collaborate with Marketing to execute strategies supporting recruitment and engagement.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing, hospitality, nonprofit management, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered.
• 3+ years of relevant event management experience, including sponsorship and promotion.
• Strong project management skills; ability to juggle multiple deadlines, vendors, and logistics.
• Experience with event logistics: vendor negotiation, site selection, on-site oversight, and contingency planning.

• Availability to work weekends for major events April through October.
• Valid driver’s license; able to operate motor vehicles, including cargo vans and box trucks, occasionally pulling a trailer.
• Ability to move boxes, bins, bike racks, and other equipment in and out of vehicles, warehouses, offices, and outdoor venues.
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff, volunteers, participants, and partners both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to pass a background check, including a driving record check.

• Office-based in downtown St. Louis. After the 90-day introductory period, employees may request to work remotely up to half the week, depending on workflow. Reliable high-speed internet required for remote work.
• Regular outdoor work.
• Event days require a high activity level for up to 12 hours, often in variable weather conditions. Staff are expected to flex their working hours on event weeks to maintain a sensible work/life balance.
• Reporting Relationships:
  Manages a seasonal intern and subcontractors, including the technical support team