Event Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

What would it mean to dedicate your time, talent, and energy to creating a more just and sustainable food system?

New Roots Institute is a growing nonprofit dedicated to ending factory farming by empowering the next generation of advocates. Our fellowship programs train students to lead real-world campaigns that create structural and behavioral change in their communities.

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Event Manager to join our team and help us deepen our impact.

• We value having the opportunity to make a meaningful difference and are committed to putting in the work required. We’re looking for people who possess the resilience and determination to excel in fast-paced and demanding roles while understanding how to differentiate between working really hard (good) and unsustainable self-sacrifice (not so good).

• We continuously question our own biases and assumptions and adapt when we recognize we’re wrong. We’re looking for people who are self-aware and know how to put their ego aside to achieve shared goals.

• We're results-oriented, strive for excellence, and are looking for people who can say they never miss deadlines.

• Giving and receiving honest and direct feedback is foundational to our culture. We're looking for people who are eager to use constructive feedback to grow, and help others to grow, both personally and professionally.

• Because we work remotely, proactive communication and quick responses are key to building trust and working effectively together. We’re looking for people who excel at keeping everyone updated.

• We genuinely enjoy working together and look for ways to have fun, despite the tragic nature of what we are up against.

• Lead the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of the annual Leadership Summit, our flagship multi-day, in-person convening launching in 2027, and partner closely with program staff and leadership to translate program goals into an exceptional participant experience.

• Lead planning of the annual Celebration, end-of-term Showcases, and other virtual and in-person events, coordinating with program teams on content, format, and delivery.

• Own event operations from planning through execution, for both in-person and virtual programs, including budgeting, vendor management, contract negotiation, venue sourcing, participant travel and accommodations, registration, catering, accessibility needs, procurement, virtual event platforms and technical production, and speaker and facilitator coordination.

• Own event communications, ensuring fellows, alumni, speakers, partners, and staff receive the information and support they need to participate fully and successfully. Collaborate with program teams to integrate event communications into the broader participant experience.

• Build and improve the systems that support successful events, including playbooks, SOPs, project plans, timelines, templates, run-of-show documents, contingency protocols, and post-event evaluation processes.

• Serve as a core member of the Program Operations team, contributing to operational systems, process improvement, and program delivery beyond major events. Between convenings, support team priorities and lead or contribute to projects that strengthen programs infrastructure.

• Communicate progress, outcomes, and key learnings to internal stakeholders, contributing to organizational learning, decision-making, and long-term strategy.

Required Skills & Experience

• Experienced event professional with 3+ years of experience planning and executing complex, multi-day, in-person events or convenings, ideally involving travel, lodging, and 100+ attendees. Comfortable owning the full event lifecycle from early planning through on-site execution and post-event evaluation. (Most of the role's other events are delivered virtually; experience with online events is a plus but not required.)

• Skilled in project management, able to build realistic plans and timelines, manage competing priorities, sequence work across overlapping workstreams, and drive complex projects from kickoff through final delivery with a high degree of accountability.

• Exceptionally detail-oriented, with the ability to manage a large volume of moving pieces while maintaining a consistently high standard of quality. Understands that operational excellence is often reflected in the small details that shape a participant's experience.

• Calm, resourceful, and solutions-oriented under pressure, able to anticipate challenges, adapt quickly when plans change, and make sound decisions in fast-moving environments.

• A strong collaborator and stakeholder manager, able to work effectively with external partners and vendors, and with teams across the organization — including program staff, leadership, marketing & communications, development, and operations.

• A clear, precise writer, able to produce polished communications and adapt tone and level of detail for very different audiences — from student fellows to vendors, speakers, and external partners.

• Eager to learn about and use AI tools thoughtfully and strategically to work more efficiently and produce higher-quality work.

• Comfortable with the seasonal cadence of the role and energized by both intensive execution periods and stretches of process-building and cross-functional operational support.

Other Requirements

• Shared vegan and anti-speciesist values. No one on our team consumes animals or animal products or believes that non-human animals can ethically be treated as resources for human use.

• Ability to commit to two annual in-person gatherings: the team retreat, which typically takes place during the first full week of June (Monday through Friday); and the Leadership Summit, anticipated around the first week of August beginning in 2027, where this role is on-site to run the event (programming Tuesday through Thursday, with attendees arriving Monday and departing Friday).

This is a full-time, remote position with a salary of $80,000 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and unlimited PTO.

Please note, we have a no-negotiation salary policy to ensure transparency and equity across the team.

View more of our benefits on our Join Our Team page.

If a candidate is moved forward, the hiring process will include a skills task, screening interview, competencies interview, work history interview, and reference checks. See our Join Our Team page for more details.

• To Apply: Please click the “Apply for this position” link to tell us why you are interested in New Roots Institute and to submit your resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to fill this position as soon as possible.

• We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people from the global majority.

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• Please note that we are only considering applicants based in North America at this time.