Senior Manager, Events

Job Title: Senior Manager, Events

Department: Events

Location: Remote in National Capital Region

Reports to: Senior Director, Events

Direct Reports: No

Classification: Exempt

Position type: Full-Time Employee

Anticipated Pay Range at Commencement of Employment: $69,000 - $88,000 per year

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is the largest nonprofit dedicated to making military life better for families. Each year, we support over 1.5 million military- and veteran-connected family members through a national network of 300,000+ members and local chapters in communities across the country.

Our mission is simple and bold: We make military life awesome for families.

We listen, share, partner, and act to deliver evidence-based, data-driven solutions that work for real people. We're a lifestyle organization, a friend and neighbor, and a trusted partner. Our approach is collaborative, human-centered, and designed with the whole family in mind.

A Blue Star Family is one with an immediate family member — a spouse, parent, or child — actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Guard and Reserves. These families face unique challenges: frequent relocations, deployments, career disruption, and isolation. We respond with research-informed programs that create connection, build resilience, and foster a true sense of belonging.

We serve with urgency but build trust over time — because change happens at the speed of trust. Whether we're driving spouse employment, supporting caregivers, or helping communities welcome military families, we strive for upstream solutions.

Who We're Looking For:

• Bold thinkers. Fast movers. Smart collaborators. People who want to build, lead, and drive measurable change — and who care deeply about making an impact that matters.

What You'll Do Here:

• Solve complex challenges with data, heart, and humility
• Build cross-sector partnerships that get things done
• Help military families feel at home wherever they live

If you're ready to work in a high-performance, mission-driven environment — and to make life better for those who serve — Blue Star Families is where you belong.

General Description

The Senior Manager, Events is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of small- to mid-scale events, ranging from intimate gatherings to programs hosting up to 100 participants. This role oversees all aspects of event logistics, including venue coordination, vendor management, run-of-show development, guest communications, and on-site operations, ensuring a seamless experience and high standard of execution.

Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Senior Manager aligns event planning and delivery with organizational goals while managing budgets, timelines, and operational standards. Responsibilities include coordinating program elements such as scheduling, audiovisual requirements, catering, and guest services to ensure each event is executed efficiently, professionally, and in alignment with the organization's brand and mission.

This position also supports the Senior Director of Events in the planning and execution of large-scale organizational events at BSF, including but not limited to Celebration and Salute.

While this role is remote, periodic out-of-town, overnight travel is an essential function. In-person time is critical to how we work — enabling deep collaboration, team alignment, creative problem-solving, and a shared sense of purpose. Team members are expected to travel several times per year for offsites, planning sessions, and company-wide gatherings. These events are essential for contributing to team outcomes, building trust across the organization, and staying aligned in a distributed environment. Participation in these in-person gatherings is a required part of the role and integral to successful performance in our remote-first organization.

• Must reside in the National Capital Region.

Key Job Functions

Event Management and Logistics

• Plan, manage, and execute events ranging from small meetings and briefings to programs of up to 100 attendees.
• Develop event strategies that support organizational goals, stakeholder engagement, and brand visibility.
• Manage all event logistics including venue selection, vendor coordination, catering, audiovisual, and transportation.
• Create and maintain detailed event timelines, run-of-show documents, and production schedules.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director on event budgets, contracts, and procurement processes to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Coordinate with internal teams, leadership, and external partners to align event objectives and deliverables.
• Lead onsite event operations, supervise staff and vendors, and troubleshoot issues in real time.
• Manage guest experience including invitations, registration, communications, and VIP coordination.
• Evaluate event performance through post-event reporting, feedback analysis, and recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors, venues, sponsors, and community partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Experience, Skills & Background

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of professional experience in event management, experiential marketing, or program management with demonstrated success delivering events from concept through execution.
• Proven ability to plan and manage events ranging from small meetings and briefings (1–25 participants) to mid-scale programs and receptions (up to 100+ attendees).
• Strong project management skills, including timeline development, logistics planning, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent events.
• Experience developing and managing event budgets, vendor contracts, and procurement processes.
• Demonstrated success with vendor and venue management, including catering, audiovisual, décor, staging, and transportation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across senior leadership, external partners, sponsors, and vendors.
• Experience producing events for diverse audiences, such as corporate leaders, government stakeholders, nonprofit partners, donors, or community members.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including drafting event briefs, run-of-show documents, invitations, and post-event reporting.
• Ability to manage on-site operations and lead cross-functional event teams under fast-paced and time-sensitive conditions.
• Experience integrating event strategy with organizational goals, including brand visibility, partnership development, community engagement, or fundraising outcomes.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to problem solve quickly and effectively during live event execution.
• Familiarity with event technology platforms (registration systems, CRM tools, ticketing platforms, and virtual/hybrid event tools).
• Ability to analyze post-event metrics and feedback to inform future event strategy and improve attendee experience.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and the ability to work effectively with high-profile guests, executives, and external stakeholders.
• Travel is required to attend meetings, trainings, events, etc.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions.
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

• Experience with membership driven organizations.
• Familiarity with the military community.

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Blue Star Families?

• Mission-driven work supporting military service members and their families
• Flexible work options (remote, or hybrid depending on the role)
• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts, life insurance, and disability insurance
• Communications allowance
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• PCS leave for Active Duty military spouses