Events and Outreach Manager (Job ID: 2023-3333)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors. 

The Brookings Metro program delivers research and solutions to help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. To learn more, please visit brookings.edu/metro. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/brookingsmetro. 

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.  

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.   

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.   

Please note: This position is part of the union (Brookings United) and subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement.  

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Events and Outreach Manager executes event planning and outreach for Brookings Metro. This includes managing speakers, space and audio-visual logistics, vendors, budgets, and post-event reporting. Conduct formal and informal outreach to local civic leaders, elected and other public sector officials, and donors. The Events and Outreach Manager contributes to Brookings Metro’s impact goals by maintaining high brand standards, managing important internal and external relationships, and collaborating effectively with colleagues across Brookings. The Events and Outreach Manager reports to the Director of Communications and works closely with Metro’s research, engagements, and development staff. 

Event Planning & Execution (60%)

• Oversees all aspects of event planning and execution for all public and private events, whether in-person or virtual.
• Collaborates effectively with the Brookings central Office of Communications events and audiovisual staff and represents Metro in meetings of all event managers to ensure Metro’s events are aligned with overall Brookings event strategy.
• Supports live webinar events and meetings, including prepping speakers, setting up Zoom/Teams, and managing the live webinar through to Q&A; works with program and central communications to live stream or swiftly post the event recording to the website.
• Leads internal and external meeting venue selection and plans site visits. Independently manages relationships with internal and external event vendors. Leads negotiation of contracts with event venues and hotels.
• Manages the creation and compilation of conference materials and event staffing plans; oversees the preparation of meeting confirmation forms, agendas, and other necessary meeting materials.
• Books travel, hotel, catering, meeting rooms, and makes other logistical arrangements for events.
• Authors correspondence for event participants.
• Leads stakeholder engagement and audience building efforts for in-person and virtual events, including development of stakeholder outreach lists, creation of targeted invitations, and other promotional tactics.
• Consults closely with Metro research, engagement, and development staff to ensure key needs are met through event offerings. 
• Oversees the creation of comprehensive event calendar and schedule.
• Closes out all events and leads post-event debriefs with Metro staff or partners on follow-up recommendations, including communications to attendees, speakers, vendors and other stakeholders. 
• Supports staff engagement efforts, including planning and logistics for staff meetings, staff retreats, and staff outings. 
• Actively acquires and pursues knowledge of events industry standards and trends. 

Outreach and Communications (40%)

• Conducts formal and informal outreach to Metro’s key audiences, including local civic leaders, elected and other public sector officials at the local, state and federal levels, and donors. Helps to execute stewardship strategies with the same, ensuring proactive, quality touch points on and between major research releases.
• Supports the implementation of media strategy and non-media outreach around major research releases and events, including with key legislative contacts.
• Leads audience development efforts, conducting targeted research to identify stakeholders to participate in and attend events.
• Maintains and curates key contacts in Salesforce, based on attendance at Metro events, to both grow and improve the usefulness of Metro’s contact database.
• Identifies opportunities to partner with aligned organizations to convene co-branded briefings, receptions, panels.
• Helps produce outreach materials to external and internal stakeholders, including monthly newsletters, email communications, stakeholder mailings, event collateral, and other promotional materials.
• Makes connections between Metro’s research agenda and relevant current policy dialogues to strengthen outreach and communications messaging.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Education/Experience Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum five years of special events experience in a fast-paced public policy or public affairs environment with increasing complexity and independence required. Experience independently organizing and managing multiple complex projects is a must. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

Knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), Zoom or equivalent videoconferencing platform(s), and familiarity of Salesforce or other CRM, with the capacity to learn new programs and applications; conference planning experience; strong verbal and written communications; desktop research skills; media relations and/or public affairs experience; strong organizational skills. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills required. Must be flexible, able to multitask, and pro-actively problem solve and think of creative solutions to problems or potential problems. Exceptional ability to synthesize information and write clearly and precisely without supervision required. Must be able to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously and consistently follow up on details. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Familiarity with public policy and/or or economics issues and audiences strongly preferred.

Additional Information: 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.