Manager, Event Operations

How You’ll Contribute

The Campus and Experiences division creates and supports inspirational experiences for live audiences and delivers excellent service and operations at National Geographic Society facilities. The division is responsible for our Base Camp headquarters, including all aspects of the Museum of Exploration. This division also produces and generates revenue through National Geographic Live, Speakers Bureau and National Geographic’s Traveling Exhibitions programs.

The Manager, Event Operations oversees daily event operations as part of the Hospitality and Retail department for the Museum of Exploration. This role provides strategic leadership and operational management for all internal and external events hosted at the Museum of Exploration and across the National Geographic campus. Reporting to the Senior Manager, this role leads event delivery, manages operational budgets, optimizes venue logistics, and drives team performance to elevate National Geographic’s brand standards and guest satisfaction.

Event Management & Execution (45%)

• Develop, implement, and refine operational SOPs to optimize efficiency and event quality.

• Oversee end-to-end operational strategy for a multi-million-dollar annual portfolio of high-profile internal and external events.

• Manage relationships, SLA compliance, and contract terms for third-party catering, A/V, and production vendors.

• Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for clients and internal teams during events to ensure smooth operations and guest satisfaction.

• Conduct pre-event walk-throughs to address questions and collect operational details from vendors, internal teams, and clients.

• Compile and distribute post-event nightly reports to key internal stakeholders.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for event execution, guest satisfaction, and vendor performance.

Coordination & Collaboration (30%)

• Lead cross-departmental operations syncs with A/V, facilities, catering, and visitor service leaders to align site logistics, optimize resource allocation, and proactively resolve operational bottlenecks for all upcoming campus events.

• Optimize the balance between museum revenue targets and operational capacity through joint planning and decision-making across Campus and Experiences teams.

• Lead, schedule, and direct cross-functional event staff and third-party contractors, fostering a culture of accountability and high service standards.

Operational Guidance (15%)

• Oversee and command day-of execution across internal service partners (A/V, Visitor Experience, Janitorial, Security) and external contractors to ensure strict adherence to event timelines, brand standards, and safety protocols.

• Analyze post-event operational data and operational bottlenecks to design, document, and implement enhanced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that elevate venue standards and efficiency.

Safety & Compliance (5%)

• Ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines, building regulations, and safety protocols during all event planning and execution phases.

Systems & Technology (5%)

• Leverage event management systems (Infor, ) to drive data-informed decisions, improve scheduling workflows, and generate operational analytics

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

5+ years event operations leadership, with 2+ years directly supervising teams or vendors in a museum, high-volume venue, or hospitality environment.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and align multidisciplinary teams (A/V, facilities, catering, safety) and external vendors around shared operational goals.

• Proven skill in developing, documenting, and enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline event setup, execution, and teardown.

• Experience managing vendor performance, enforcing SLAs, negotiating event scope, and ensuring strict compliance with vendor contracts and COIs.

• Strong decision-making skills under pressure, with a track record of resolving real-time operational issues and managing floor risks during high-stakes live events.

• Exceptional written and verbal…