Events Director

Position Summary

JCRC Bay Area seeks an experienced, highly organized, and relationship-oriented Events Director to lead the planning and execution of a diverse portfolio of events across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Development and working closely with both the Community Relations and Operations teams, this position will oversee events from concept through completion, ensuring seamless execution, exceptional guest experiences, and alignment with organizational goals.

JCRC Bay Area seeks an experienced, highly organized, and relationship-oriented Events Director to lead the planning and execution of a diverse portfolio of events across the organization. Reporting to the Director of Development and working closely with both the Community Relations and Operations teams, this position will oversee events from concept through completion, ensuring seamless execution, exceptional guest experiences, and alignment with organizational goals.

The Events Director will be responsible for managing both large-scale signature events and smaller cultivation, stewardship, and community gatherings. This role may also provide event support for Bay Area Jewish Action (BAJA), JCRC’s affiliated 501(c)4 organization, initiatives and programs, as needed.

The ideal candidate is a proactive project manager, skilled negotiator, and trusted collaborator who understands the Bay Area event landscape, has strong vendor relationships, and appreciates the values, traditions, politics and diversity of the Jewish community.

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all assigned JCRC Bay Area events from inception through post-event evaluation.
• Manage event timelines, work plans, budgets, logistics, and project deliverables.
• Ensure events reflect organizational priorities, values, and brand standards.
• Coordinate event registration systems, guest management, seating plans, event flow, and on-site operations.
• Develop contingency plans and troubleshoot challenges before and during events.

Manage the planning and execution of JCRC Bay Area’s major annual events, including:

• Two Freedom Seder events (San Francisco and South Bay), each serving hundreds of attendees.
• Two additional anchor events in the North Bay and East Bay regions.
• One Bay Area wide anniversary event, serving the entire JCRC community including a VIP donor experience.
• Other major community-wide gatherings as assigned, including the San Francisco Pride Parade float.

• Support donor cultivation and stewardship events, including parlor meetings, receptions, briefings, and special gatherings.
• Provide event support for board meetings/retreats, leadership convenings, and organizational celebrations.
• Collaborate with Community Relations and Development staff to align event strategy with engagement and fundraising goals.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with venues, caterers, AV providers, security firms, rental companies, and other event vendors.
• Scout and recommend venues throughout the Bay Area.
• Negotiate vendor agreements and contracts to secure high-quality services and favorable pricing.
• Manage vendor communications, timelines, deliverables, and payments.

• Oversee and delegate all event logistics, including catering, audio/visual production, transportation, accessibility accommodations, signage, permits, and staffing.
• Coordinate event security plans in partnership with internal stakeholders, security professionals, law enforcement partners, and venue teams when appropriate.

• Serve as the central point of coordination among internal staff, vendors, volunteers, consultants, and event partners.
• Collaborate closely with marketing and communications staff to support event promotion and attendee communications.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers when needed.

• Conduct post-event evaluations and debriefs.
• Track event outcomes, attendance, expenses, and lessons learned.
• Recommend improvements and best practices…