Manager, Events

Title: Manager, Events

Employment Status:  Exempt

Salary: $60,000 - $74,663 commensurate with experience; additional event pay available

Supervisor Title: Senior Director, Events

Date Revised:  April 2025

Summary of Position:

Meridian is a non-profit public diplomacy center based in Washington, D.C. that strengthens engagement between the United States and the world by developing global leaders, connecting people, and promoting non-partisan collaboration. Meridian is headquartered on a four-acre property in northwest Washington, D.C. and operates within two elegant, historic mansions surrounded by beautiful gardens that provide a unique venue for events, corporate conferences/dinners, weddings, special events, receptions, etc.

Meridian is seeking an experienced Events Manager to oversee administration and execution of internal and external events, event sales, as well as lead sales and marketing for corporate clients and weddings.

This position is located in Washington D.C. and Meridian requires MD, DC, or VA residence for all employees. The position may occasionally work remotely but a significant on-site presence is required for success in the role, as is evening and weekend responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Manage house calendar; serve as liaison between Events team and program teams to oversee all aspects of event services including scheduling, room set-up, house maintenance for events, vendor management, etc.
  • Assist in managing the social media presence of Meridian events as it pertains specifically to weddings and private events, developing new content, and updating existing content for the event rentals website
  • Conduct site tours with potential clients, highlighting Meridian’s history, unique features, and event capabilities and limitations
  • Develop, cultivate, and maintain vendor relationships
  • Maintain a complete working knowledge of Meridian’s event policies and procedures, make suggestions for improvements where warranted, and communicate effectively to enforce details and compliance to vendors, clients, and internal staff
  • Work closely and collaboratively with External Affairs team to plan receptions, programs, dinners, conferences for high-level audiences
  • Assist in the development and execution of a strategy to increase sales for both corporate/private event rentals and weddings through high-touch, high-level means including building a network of relevant relationships, maintaining communications and relationships with previous clients, marketing through social media, and other creative strategies
  • Beginning to end event management including vendor selection and procurement, on-site vendor and event staff management, and event close-out
  • Work closely and collaboratively with supervisor and teams to manage the annual Meridian Ball and other major Meridian events, as well as internal and private events
  • Serve as onsite management staff for events to include evenings and weekends as needed
  • Manage administrative functions for Events, including maintenance of vendor files, insurance certifications, rental revenue documents, invoices, check requests, and procurement
  • Manage the Salesforce database to track all previous, current and potential clients, vendors and other event contacts
  • Responsible for completing all organizational administrative responsibilities in a timely manner and meeting all organizational administrative deadlines and other duties as assigned

Education/Experience

  • 4-6 years of experience in hospitality, special events, or meeting coordination required
  • Experience in a non-profit or private event venue preferred
  • Or any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Ability to interact positively and proactively with all levels of staff, board members, major donors, clients, vendors, and other stakeholders
  • Demonstrated initiative and creativity, with success working on a small team in a busy office environment
  • Ability to work collaboratively as needed to ensure successful event set-up and implementation
  • Superior oral, written communication, organizational, and multitasking skills with strong attention to detail and procedure; ability to work on multiple projects and events simultaneously and accurately
  • Advanced familiarity and comfort with social media and ability to produce an aesthetic Instagram grid highlighting the property
  • Strong inter-cultural communication skills; maturity, cultural sensitivity, and tact suitable for working with individuals from around the world
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams is necessary for this role
  • Experience with Canva, Zoom, Tripleseat, Social Tables, and Salesforce is helpful

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to creating a diverse environment. We believe in empowering global leaders and amplifying voices of a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared value and respect for all cultures as connecting people has been our foundation for over 60 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm to promote non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian promotes equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, family responsibilities, marital, veteran or military status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity will be offered and maintained to all persons at every stage and condition of employment, including recruiting, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package including a full medical plan with no deductible, dental (including orthodontics), a retirement plan with a substantial employer contribution from day one, fully paid life, long- and short-term disability, a variety of voluntary benefits, and generous paid leave and holidays.

How to Apply 

Qualified candidates should apply here. Only candidates being considered for this position will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS in reference to this position will be accepted.