Head of Event Production

About NYRR

New York Road Runners (NYRR) was founded in 1958 when a small group of passionate runners vowed to bring running to the people and has grown from a local running club into the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

NYRR’s year-round offerings of races, community events, programs, and training resources provide hundreds of thousands of people with the motivation, know-how, and opportunities to start running and keep running for life. NYRR’s premier event, the famed TCS New York City Marathon, attracts the world’s top professional runners and committed amateurs alike, while also raising millions of dollars annually for charity and driving economic impact for New York City.  NYRR is equally committed to the runners of tomorrow, passionately providing youth fitness programs that educate and inspire children in underserved communities in New York City, nationwide, and around the world.

Headquartered in New York City, NYRR is a 501(c)(3) organization.  To learn more, please visit www.nyrr.org.  

At New York Road Runners, we are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace by finding the best candidate for the job. We understand that skills come from a variety of different backgrounds. Checking off every single requirement on our job description is not necessary to apply. If you think you are a good fit and have a passion for the work we do, please submit your application. We are eager to learn about your experience and skills! You may be the right candidate for this or other open positions.

New York Road Runners is an Equal Opportunity Employer

About the Department

The Event Development and Production Department plays a key role in developing and producing events for NYRR, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission from concept to execution. Each year, the team produces over 40 adult events and supports 30 Rising New York Road Runners youth events including notable races like the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half.  
  
Key responsibilities of the department include: managing event venues and expo courses, overseeing timing and scoring operations, coordinating volunteer management and hospitality, ensuring safety, medical, and security measures are in place, handling warehouse management and race collateral, and building relationships with city, state and federal agencies for permitting. 
  
This comprehensive approach ensures that every event is safely and logistically executed successfully. 
 

About the Position

Job Responsibilities (primary and secondary duties):

• Co-lead the Event Management & Logistics team that includes event logistics, event planning / project management, vendor and agency management, budget management, long term calendar and resource planning and onsite / venue operations.
• Provide leadership, professional expertise, and direction in the planning and execution of NYRR event properties, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Oversight of the main operational areas of the TCS NYC Marathon (Start, Course, Finish, Transportation, Baggage).
• Directly manage a team including Director, Event Production, (as well as mentor Event Leads and Coordinators), including directing daily workloads, projects, goal setting and annual review processes.
• Demonstrate a high level of conceptual and strategic thinking to establish budgets, goals, objectives, and activities in conjunction with established organizational policies and procedures. Including the ability to assess and implement strategic workflow processes and procedures that maximize the team’s efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute to departmental goal setting and work closely with team members to develop individual performance goals that align with organizational and departmental plans.
• Contribute to short and long-term organizational planning and strategy as a member of the management team. Develop new and/or grow event properties in accordance with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain event standards (production levels, participant services and amenities, communications, technology solutions and contingency plans), planning management tools and event analytics for all events with the goal of optimizing operational efficiencies.
• Careful resource planning; including the preparation and management of all event budgets and staffing models.
• Assess and implement strategic workflow processes and procedures that maximize department efficiency and effectiveness.
• Liaise externally with City Agencies (Parks, CPC, PPA, NYPD, FDNY EMS, Mayor’s Office CECM, DOT, DSNY, MTA, etc.) and local communities to ensure successful operation of NYRR events.
• Liaise internally with Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Marketing, Public Relations, Strategy & Planning, IT and Finance to ensure the entire organization is together on partner deliverables, brand messaging and participant communications, overall organizational strategy, and budgets for NYRR event properties.
• Collaborate with the Runner Services, Warehouse, Experiential, Timing & Competition Management, Volunteer, Hospitality, Broadcast, Security and Medical teams in ED&P to ensure all plans integrate seamlessly into the overall event operations. 
• Other duties and department projects as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Experience:

• 8-10 years of event management experience, preferably in the sports and/or entertainment industries, including strong logistical/operational and team management background. Previous experience in the NYC event planning landscape and with endurance/running events is strongly preferred

Education & Certifications:

• College degree preferred but not .

Skills and Attributes:

• Ability to relate to and work with diverse populations is essential, as are a positive attitude and an appreciation of the value of health, community and running.
• Must have event site planning and management experience.
• Ability to manage to budgets and provide detailed analyses and reports.
• Willingness to travel, work various weekends (early hours) and extended hours as needed.
• Resourceful, strategic thinking combined with a strong work ethic and the ability to delegate accordingly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Focused attention to detail. Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Works well under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Comfortable presenting to organizational senior management and external City Agencies.
• Strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Ability to work regular weekends and occasional evenings

Other Requirements:

• All staff are required to work the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, and the TCS NYC Marathon.
• Proficient in Microsoft Business Applications; Excel; PowerPoint; Word; Visio and/or AutoCAD a plus, but not required.
• Work in-office in a hybrid setting 2 days per week at our Midtown Manhattan office

Salary: 135K