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Director Special Events Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Patria Church

Director of Security

Rancho Cucamonga, CA · On-site

$85K/yr

The Director of Security provides operational leadership for all safety, security, emergency ... evenings, special events, and travel between campuses. Works Closely With: Executive Leadership ...

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Development Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$81K - $92K/yr

The Development Director is responsible for leading and executing the chapter's fundraising efforts, with a strong emphasis on individual giving, corporate partnerships, special events, volunteer and ...

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All JobsSpecial Events JobsDirector Special Events JobsDirector Special Events Jobs in Riverside, CA

Director Special Events information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$33.9K

$81.6K

$146.1K

How much do director special events jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director special events in Riverside, CA is $81,609.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,700.00 and $96,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director special events?

To thrive as a Director of Special Events, you need expertise in event planning, budgeting, project management, and a bachelor's degree in hospitality, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with event management software, registration platforms, and often certifications like CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) are typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you manage teams, clients, and logistics under pressure. These abilities ensure seamless, impactful events that meet organizational goals and client expectations.

What does a director of special events do?

A director of special events plans, coordinates, and oversees events such as conferences, fundraisers, and celebrations to ensure they run smoothly and meet organizational goals. They manage budgets, coordinate with vendors and staff, and handle logistics, often requiring strong organizational and leadership skills. The role may also involve marketing and post-event evaluation.

What is the difference between Director Special Events vs Event Coordinator?

AspectDirector Special EventsEvent Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire event planning process, manages teams, and sets strategic goalsAssists with planning, logistics, and on-site coordination
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, marketing, or related field; experience in event managementOften requires a relevant associate or bachelor’s degree; entry-level experience acceptable
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, event venues, and outdoor locationsEvent sites, venues, and client locations

The main difference is that the Director Special Events holds a leadership role with strategic oversight and team management, while the Event Coordinator focuses on executing event details and logistics. The Director typically has more experience and higher credentials, overseeing multiple events, whereas the Event Coordinator supports the planning process at a more operational level.

What are some common challenges faced by a director special events, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Director of Special Events often faces the challenge of coordinating multiple stakeholders, managing tight deadlines, and adapting to last-minute changes. Balancing creative vision with budget constraints and logistical feasibility is also common. Success in this role typically depends on strong communication skills, meticulous planning, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Building a reliable team and establishing clear processes for contingency planning can greatly help in managing these challenges.

What are the responsibilities of a special events director?

The responsibilities of a special events director include developing a strategic plan for a business’ events and generating new sales when relevant. In this career, you plan, organize, and execute all aspects of each event, provide daily support to the event team, including set-up and logistics, book each venue, manage event staff, and coordinate with other departments to ensure a successful event execution. You are expected to provide excellent customer service to clients and new external relationships. You maintain a schedule of yearly events, manage the budget for each, answer vendor questions promptly, sell tickets, and complete other duties related to events as required.

More about Director Special Events jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Special Events jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Special Events jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Director Special Events jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Director Special Events job openings:
Director Special Events jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Special Events job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 3% Summer. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $81,609 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Director, Event Management, Special Events

OC Sports and Entertainment

Anaheim, CA • On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

A great experience starts with you!
Join our team to help create and develop the future of live entertainment and sports in Orange County!
Once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel best suit you, as an applicant, you can always see your application status in your profile.
Mission: To enrich the lives in our community through shared experiences, welcoming spaces, and responsible actions.
Vision: We will be the social and entertainment center of Orange County - a place where the cultural kaleidoscope of the region converges and connects. Our vibrant, rich collection of experiences will celebrate the diversity of our community.
Values: Be Safe | Do the Right Thing | Be Generous | Include Everyone | Make it Easy | Be Bold
Job Title:
Director, Event Management, Special Events
Pay Details:
The annual base salary range for this position in California is $130,000 to $160,000 per year. The starting pay for the successful candidate depends on various job-related factors, including but not limited to the candidate's geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education/training, internal value, peer equity, external market demands, and organizational considerations.
The Director of Event Management, Special Events provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning and execution of revenue-generating private events across the OCVIBE campus. This role is responsible for leading a team of full-time and part-time event professionals who deliver exceptional, hospitality-driven experiences for corporate, social, and premium clients.
This position partners closely with Sales, Culinary, Operations, and Finance to translate client vision into flawlessly executed events that maximize revenue opportunities, drive repeat business, and elevate the OCVIBE brand. Events include corporate meetings and conferences, galas, buyouts, premium activations, and social celebrations across a diverse portfolio of venues and unique spaces.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in special event operations, team leadership, and premium guest service within large-scale entertainment, hospitality, or destination event environments.
Responsibilities
Event Management & Execution Strategy
  • Lead the end-to-end execution strategy for all private and special events, ensuring consistency, quality, and excellence across all venues and experiences
  • Establish and manage operational frameworks, timelines, and workflows that support high-volume, high-touch event execution
  • Partner with the Special Events Sales team to support client acquisition, seamless handoffs, and execution against contracted deliverables
  • Ensure events are delivered in alignment with client expectations, brand standards, and revenue objectives
  • Lead full lifecycle management of district-wide event equipment inventory, including tracking systems, preventative maintenance, repairs, parts procurement, and annual capital expenditure (CapEx) planning and acquisitions to ensure operational readiness and fiscal discipline

Team Leadership & Workforce Management
  • Directly manage and develop a team of full-time Event Managers and a flexible part-time event execution staff
  • Build staffing models and labor strategies that balance service excellence, efficiency, and profitability
  • Create a culture of accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement through training, coaching, and performance management
  • Serve as an on-site leader during major events, providing real-time decision-making and escalation support
  • Develop and implement team operating plans, performance incentives, and accountability frameworks that elevate financial acumen across the Event Management team, driving strategic upselling behaviors and revenue optimization at the event level

Financial & Business Performance
  • Apply rigorous financial analysis to event performance in collaboration with Finance and Sales, leveraging P&L insights with a focus on labor and operational expenses, to identify cost efficiencies, margin improvement opportunities, and scalable growth strategies across the event portfolio
  • Support event forecasting, staffing cost controls, and post-event financial reviews
  • Champion upsell opportunities and operational efficiencies that enhance revenue and client value

Operational Excellence & Compliance
  • Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for private event execution across all venues
  • Ensure compliance with safety, permitting, accessibility, and regulatory standards
  • Partner with Operations, Security, Facilities, and Culinary to align resources and venue readiness for each event
  • Establish and enforce service and presentation standards across all events, including elevated VIP experiences, ensuring Event Managers consistently deliver best-in-class hospitality, brand alignment, and visual excellence

Client Experience & Brand Stewardship
  • Serve as a steward of the OCVIBE brand, ensuring every client and guest experience reflects a premium level of hospitality and professionalism
  • Address and resolve client concerns with urgency and care, turning challenges into opportunities for loyalty and advocacy
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Brand teams to align private event execution with broader brand positioning and experience standards

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field
  • Master's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in event management or hospitality operations, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role overseeing teams and complex events
  • Demonstrated experience leading venue event management operations across multiple properties simultaneously, ensuring consistency in service standards, operational execution, and client experience across diverse venues
  • Proven success executing revenue-generating private events, including corporate, social, or premium hospitality experiences
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate both full-time and part-time teams in fast-paced, guest-facing environments
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing labor budgets, forecasting, and operational efficiencies
  • Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Sales, Operations, Culinary, and Finance
  • A passion for hospitality, client service, and delivering memorable, best-in-class event experiences aligned with company values

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Education - Bachelor's Degree
Experience Required - 8+ Year
This position is on-site.
Company:
OC Sports & Entertainment, LLC
Our Commitment:
We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and team members without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. We are firm believers that diversity and inclusion among our team members are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Thanks for your interest in becoming part of OCVIBE!

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