Event Services Manager

ABOUT THE JCC EAST BAY

The JCC East Bay values hachnasat orchim (providing a welcoming home) for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build relationships, foster learning, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life through programs for all stages of life and for all age groups. After decades of operating our suite of programs in North Berkeley, we recently moved our home for East Bay Jewish life to the East Bay Jewish Community Campus in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. As part of this move, we are dramatically expanding our programming and activities to spark creativity, nurture identity, and weave together diverse generations, cultures, and organizations—including voices from across global Jewry—into a living tapestry of culture, learning, and kehilla (community) connections. Our flagship location in the Rockridge neighborhood houses our administrative offices and our award-winning preschool. Our afterschool programs continue to operate in Berkeley and in several Oakland public schools.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Event Services Manager reports to the Director of Campus Operations & Event Services and is responsible for generating new sales and ensuring a quality guest experience from planning through full execution of all events held by the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCCEB). This includes managing events for JCCEB programs, on-site partner organizations (over 20 resident partner organizations), and private rental clients in several buildings across the campus. This role requires strong organizational skills, hands-on event management experience, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, vendors, and clients. It includes some evening/weekend work and occasional manual labor related to event setup and breakdown.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Event Planning & Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all event inquiries, including JCCEB programs, on-site partners, and private rentals.
• Produce and manage events from initial inquiry through completion, guaranteeing a high-quality experience.
• Generate new sales leads through creative marketing and networking.
• Provide tours for prospective and current clients, creating diagrams based on their setup requirements as needed.
• Oversee the contract process from beginning to end, including creating contracts, confirming signatures, ensuring deposits/payments are collected, and verifying all contract obligations are met.
• Meet with clients to plan events, explain policies, and finalize event details (including an initial client walkthrough no less than 30 days prior to the event date and again as the event nears).
• Establish and maintain close contact with current clients regarding pending items and action items.
• Verify client room requirements (lighting, temperature, A/V equipment, room setup) and coordinate needs with setups, A/V, and maintenance teams.
• Schedule vendor walkthroughs for client events and provide oversight of third-party compliance with JCCEB’s insurance, license, permit, and conditional use requirements.
• Obtain liquor licenses for all events, including private rental clients, as necessary.
• Coordinate event logistics, including timelines, room layouts, staffing needs, and vendor access.
• Oversee events in the Pavilion, Teen Center, and other programmatic spaces on campus.

Calendar Coordination & Client Relations

• Organize, manage, and maintain the overall events calendar.
• Coordinate space usage among JCCEB departments, partner organizations, and rental clients.
• Respond to event inquiries and provide information regarding space availability, policies, pricing, and logistics.

On-Site Event Support

• Act as principal contact on the day of events, including nights and weekends.
• Assist with event setup, breakdown, and room resets as needed.
• Coordinate with vendors, caterers, entertainers, and service providers.
• Communicate janitorial and security needs to proper staff.
• Coordinate maintenance, operations, A/V, curatorial, and engineering services as necessary.
• Supervise event staff/volunteers during events and troubleshoot issues in real time to ensure all logistics are executed smoothly.

Administrative & Systems Management

• Utilize event management software and other technology tools to track bookings, contracts, and event details.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Support billing and invoicing processes related to events.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, and holidays (including Jewish).

The JCC East Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. JCC East Bay policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The JCC East Bay complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require particular accommodations during the application and interview process, please inform us of your needs so we can accommodate.

Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and others to apply to jobs only if they meet all of the qualifications. The JCC East Bay encourages you to apply anyway, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.

Qualifications

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in event management, hospitality, facilities coordination, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, contractors, or volunteers, including scheduling, training, and on-site leadership. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously in a dynamic, community-focused environment. 
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through. 
• High level of comfort with technology, including event management software, scheduling tools, databases, and standard office applications (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, etc). 
• Ability to maintain accurate records, calendars, and documentation while managing frequent changes and competing deadlines. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with dynamic problem solving. 
• Strong customer service orientation, grounded in hospitality. 
• Experience working within a Jewish Community Center or similar mission-driven nonprofit organization; commitment to JCC values of hospitality and excellence. 
• Ability to perform light to moderate physical work, including lifting, moving furniture, and event setup/breakdown. 
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays based on event needs.