Events Director (Nonprofit, Co-working Space)

About LACI 

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a nonprofit organization creating an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation (through working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies), transforming markets (through catalytic partnerships in zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities) and enhancing communities (through workforce development, pilots and other programs). Originally founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world. Learn more at laci.org

About LACI’s Innovation Pilots

LACI launched our Innovation Pilots program in 2019 to test market-ready technology, business model and policy model innovations at the community level to surface learnings that can help scale those solutions more widely in the LA region and beyond. Through these pilots LACI brings together startups, corporate partners, local governments and community-based organizations to deploy, test, and increase utilization of zero emission transportation, clean energy, and sustainable cities solutions, with the aim of identifying scalable solutions that further the goals of LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) and focus on sustainable cities. Past and current pilots have tested electric vehicle car share models, e-bike lending library models, neighborhood electric vehicle shuttle services, e-cargo van rentals, and the deployment of induction stoves in low-income single-family and multi-unit dwellings.

Position Summary:

The Events Director leads the planning, production, and strategy for all events associated with LACI—including third-party rentals, campus events, and programmatic events. This role is responsible for creating an outstanding event experience for stakeholders, partners, and the broader LACI and La Kretz Innovation Campus (LKIC) community, while also managing operational logistics, space use, and event revenue opportunities.

Reporting to the VP, Marketing & Communications, the Events Director manages and mentors the Marketing & Events Coordinator, ensuring the team delivers high-quality events that reflect the values and advance the mission of LACI and LKIC. This position leads strategy and operations for LACI’s third-party space rental program and collaborates cross-functionally with the Campus Management team and the Development team, among others. The position also leads events strategy for the BATWorks program in New York City in collaboration with the SVP of BATWorks. 

What You’ll Do:

• Strategic Oversight & Planning: Lead the strategic planning, scheduling, and execution of all events hosted by LACI, including events at the La Kretz Innovation Campus (LKIC) campus, including third-party rentals, campus engagement events,  off campus programmatic events, events at BATWorks, and LACI’s participation in key external events. Develop and manage the annual campus events calendar for the LKIC campus, LACI programmatic events, and the BATWorks program, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and stakeholder needs. Develop the strategy for event partnerships with key organizations in collaboration with program teams (pillars) and oversee the execution of those partnerships.  
• Systems & Administration: Own software oversight related to events, including Splash/Cvent event registration software, Asana, Mailchimp and other software programs used in audience curation or project management. Establish scalable systems for event intake, coordination, execution, and post-event reporting.
• Team Leadership & Management: Provide leadership, clear guidance on tasks, professional development, and day-to-day support. Set team goals for event delivery with cross-departmental delivery group, assign roles, and ensure consistent performance across all aspects of event planning and delivery. Ensure message alignment with event content (especially programmatic events), social media, website and newsletters, working with the VP of Marketing & Communications and the Director of Communications and Public Affairs to ensure all events are telling the comprehensive LACI story, regardless of venue. 
• Third-Party Rentals: Oversee LACI’s event space rental program - at LKIC, BATWorks and South LA venues-  including marketing, client intake, contracts, pricing, and usage policies. Ensure that third-party events align with LACI’s mission, community standards, and operational capacity, in collaboration with the Facilities Director and the Campus Management team.  Collaborate with the Finance & Operations team and the Campus Management team to ensure proper documentation, invoicing, and compliance.
• Programmatic Events: Work with program teams (pillars) and the Development team to design and produce mission-aligned events such as summits, pitch showcases, thought leadership events, and partner engagements. Design and oversee campus community events at LKIC that meet the goals of campus experience, as defined by and in  collaboration with the Director of Facilities and the Campus Management team. Work with program teams (pillars) to develop key strategic event partners from LACI’s ecosystem and leverage partners to curate audiences and increase revenue and reach of events.  Develop event partnerships across the ecosystem  to support audience curation strategy.
• Operations, Budgeting & Evaluation: Develop and manage the events and rentals budget, tracking expenditures and optimizing resources. Set and deliver revenue targets for event space rentals at  the LKIC, BATWorks and South LA spaces. Build and refine SOPs for event execution, communications, registration, and reporting across all events and venues.  Develop and monitor event KPIs (e.g., attendance, satisfaction, revenue, operational impact) and use insights to improve event design, audience curation, processes and outcomes.

Why You’re Right for the Job:

• Color-coded binders and spreadsheets are your friend: Okay, maybe not binders per se, but organization keeps you sane! You’re detail-oriented and process-oriented, and you love to build things from the ground up. 
• Planning professional events comes easy to you: When it comes to planning a party or even a group outing, others always come to you because they know you enjoy it and are able to corral a lot of different people and ideas. 
• You value customer service and camaraderie:  Your leadership style is inclusive so you value each person’s opinions and experiences - whether they’re your direct reports, higher ups, clients or colleagues. 
• You are a natural story-teller: You are most excited when you’re sharing a passion with others. You feel comfortable pitching a mission or program. 
• You’re PRO-LACI: you’re a proactive, pro-environment, pro-solutions professional that is dedicated to making the world a cleaner, safer, better place to live in through clean technologies. In addition, you have a commitment to inclusion, or the need for solutions to support all people in a community regardless of race, religion, gender, immigration status, or ethnicity. 

Requirements:

Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, communications, business, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of experience leading event strategy and execution, preferably in a nonprofit, campus, or innovation-focused environment. Experience managing third-party rentals, venue sales, or campus event programs.
• Proven leadership and staff management experience, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and work in agile environments to achieve project goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confidence in managing high-profile stakeholders and partners.
• Familiarity with project management and event software, CRM tools, and budget management systems.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for event coverage.
• Passion for sustainability, clean technology, and social impact, with a desire to contribute to positive change in the world.

Work Requirements

• This role operates in a hybrid capacity and must work onsite from Downtown LA office at least 3-5 days/week depending on scheduled events or meetings on Campus
• Some travel required

Position Details:

This is a full-time position, starting immediately. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus, in the bustling Downtown LA Arts District. Since we are rapidly growing, you will be getting in on the ground floor at LACI, with the opportunity to evolve with us and shape your future here. Some travel may be required.

Salary Range: Director Range $90-105k commensurate with experience, education, skills, etc and total compensation package including health benefits, 401k match, professional development, commuter benefits and more.

In addition to working on a campus with other innovators, we offer industry competitive benefits including: paid holidays, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401(k) plan with match, and paid parking (with EV charge stations). We also support alternative transportation with a metro pass and bikeshare for every employee.