Live Events Manager

Job description

Blaze Media is seeking a seasoned Live Events Manager to lead the planning, execution, and growth of our high-profile live events, and to develop new live experiences that strengthen our brand and engage our audience. You will own the end-to-end event lifecycle, from concept and budgeting through production logistics and post-event analysis, ensuring that every Blaze Media live event reflects our editorial voice and operational excellence. Responsibilities Event Strategy & Programming Collaborate with hosts, creative teams, and senior leadership to define the vision, objectives, and format for each live event. Identify new opportunities, guest speakers, formats, or partnerships, that align with Blaze Media’s mission and drive audience growth. Maintain a master events calendar; prioritize resources for flagship properties and pilot new concepts. Budgeting & Financial Oversight Develop and manage event budgets: venue rental, AV/production, talent fees, marketing, catering, staffing, travel, and contingency. Negotiate contracts with venues, vendors, and service providers to ensure cost efficiency without compromising quality. Track spend against forecasts; provide regular budget reports to the leadership team. Production Planning & Logistics Oversee site selection, floor plans, signage, registration systems, insurance, and permitting. Coordinate audiovisual requirements, lighting, sound, live streaming, recording, and partner with Blaze Media’s technical/IT teams for seamless execution. Manage on-site logistics: load-in/load-out schedules, vendor check-ins, staffing assignments, backstage hospitality, and crisis response protocols. Leadership & Collaboration Work cross-functionally with marketing, editorial, graphics, copywriting, legal, and social media to ensure cohesive promotion and branding. Act as the primary point of contact for hosts, managing deadlines, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, and post-event debriefs. Marketing & Promotion Coordinate with Blaze Media’s marketing and social teams to develop email campaigns, social teasers, web pages, and paid-media strategies that drive ticket sales, registrations, or livestream views. Provide/coordinate event assets (photo/video highlights, speaker quotes, data points) for pre and post-event content. Leverage audience data and feedback to optimize promotional tactics and messaging for future events. On-Site Execution & Quality Control Serve as the event’s primary on-site director: oversee registration/check-in, stage management, talent support, audience flow, and vendor relations. Troubleshoot technical or logistical issues in real time, liaising with AV vendors, venue staff, security, and production partners. Ensure every aspect, from branding elements to signature programming moments, meets Blaze Media’s standards for quality and consistency. Post-Event Analysis & Continuous Improvement Collect and analyze key performance indicators: attendance numbers, livestream/recording metrics, sponsor satisfaction, budget variance, and qualitative audience feedback. Deliver a succinct post-mortem report, highlighting successes, areas for improvement, and actionable recommendations for future events. Maintain an “event playbook” (checklists, timelines, vendor contacts, best practices) to streamline workflows across the department. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Event Management, Hospitality, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree is a plus. Minimum of 5–7 years’ hands-on experience managing live events in a media, broadcast, or large-scale production environment (either in-house or agency side). Proven track record planning and executing live events, panels, or branded experiences with audiences of 1,000-10,000 attendees. Deep familiarity with live event space and stage/studio technical requirements Understanding of the conservative media landscape, with a sensitivity to content tone, messaging, and audience expectations that are core to Blaze Media’s brand identity. Ability to tailor event agendas to showcase Blaze Media hosts’ strengths—e.g., integrating live audience Q&As, or interactive polling.