Event Production Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

EVENT PRODUCTION MANAGER

Off the Grid | San Francisco Bay Area | $105,000-$115,000/yr | Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Head of Operations | Department: Event Operations

THE ROLE

The Event Production & Catering Manager is the architect of the OTG experience; embodying Danny Meyer's idea that "Hospitality happens for you, not to you." This role is responsible for translating each client's vision-and OTG's own creative vision for its public markets and events-into a curated, executable plan, and does it through systems and processes that make excellence repeatable across markets, public events, and catering.

This is the person (leading the team) who designs the experience, curates the creators and partners who bring it to life, sets the brand and spec standards, and produces the event-ready plan the field executes against. It is one half of OTG's event operations leadership, paired with the Onsite Event Manager. Where the Onsite Event Manager owns execution in the field, the Event Production Manager owns everything upstream-vision, curation, standards, vendor and venue relationships, and the event-ready BEO. The two roles are co-equal, report jointly to the Head of Operations, and meet at a single, well-defined handoff: the event-ready plan.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned event or catering production professional who thinks first about the client and the guest, curates with taste and judgment, and builds the systems and discipline that turn vision into flawless, repeatable production.

ABOUT OFF THE GRID

Off the Grid is a placemaking platform that activates local businesses and spaces to connect communities through unique in-person experiences. We run dozens of events weekly across the Bay Area-public markets, corporate catering, and large bespoke conferences and events-bringing together hundreds of local food creators and more than 100,000 guests every week. When we do our job well, every space we activate becomes a magnet for connection and community.

HOW THIS ROLE CONNECTS TO OTG'S SUCCESS

Every OTG event begins as a vision-a client's, or our own-and the Event Production Manager is the person who makes that vision real and repeatable. This role curates the experience and codifies it into systems and standards, so that what makes an OTG event special is never left to chance and never has to be reinvented. It is where OTG's brand promise becomes a concrete plan, and where the relationships with venues, key accounts, and vendors that make our events possible are cultivated and protected.

THE PLANNING-EXECUTION HANDOFF

The relationship between the Event Production Manager and the Onsite Event Manager is defined by a single handoff point: event-ready. The BEO governs catering and private events; the Public Event Playbook is its equivalent for public events-the SOP that governs public event operations. Both follow the same logic.

- The Event Production Manager produces and owns the BEO / Public Event Playbook through the point it is marked event-ready, and remains accountable for its accuracy.

- The Onsite Event Manager reviews each event-ready plan and executes against it.

- When the Onsite Event Manager identifies a gap, the plan bounces back to the Event Production Manager for refinement and clarification. Accuracy stays with this role even after handoff.

This is a quality gate, not a wall. The Event Production Manager defines the vision and the standard; the Onsite Event Manager executes and maintains to it.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Vision & Curation

- Translate each client's vision into a curated, executable event experience; bring OTG's own creative vision to life across public markets and events

- Own season-opening creator curation across markets and public events-setting each season's opening lineup with taste and intent

- Own catering creator curation-matching the right creators and experiences to each catering event

- Partner with the Onsite Event Manager, who owns mid-season public event creator booking, creator onboarding, and creator performance in the field

Systems, Process & Standards

- Define and own OTG's brand standards and spec standards across all event types-the definitive reference for what materials, setups, and guest-facing presentation should be

- Build and maintain the systems and process that make production repeatable: SOPs, event checklists, planning tools, and the workflows producers operate within

- Maintain and evolve standards and systems; ensure they are documented, accessible, and consistently applied

- Partner with the Onsite Event Manager, who procures, maintains, and executes to these standards in the field

BEO & Public Event Playbook Production

- Own the operational planning lifecycle of all OTG events-markets, public events, and catering-from sales handoff through event-ready

- Produce accurate, complete, field-ready BEOs and Public Event Playbooks; remain accountable for their accuracy through execution, including corrections that bounce back from the field

- Design full production plans: logistics, crew requirements, vendor commitments, timelines, and floor plans

- Incorporate marketing's activation and content-collection requirements into the BEO and Public Event Playbook, so the field can execute them (marketing is principally responsible for activation and content)

- Review every event brief and plan before it is marked event-ready

Vendor Sourcing & Onboarding

- Own vendor sourcing, contracting, and onboarding across staffing platforms (e.g. Instawork), AV, decor, rentals, and entertainment partners

- Set clear performance expectations with vendors at the point of contracting

- Act on vendor performance trends-fill rates, no-show rates, quality scores, cost-reported from the field by the Onsite Event Manager, and adjust sourcing decisions accordingly

- Evaluate and onboard new vendor partners as program needs evolve; maintain backup options for high-volume periods

Venue Relationships & Key Accounts

- Serve as OTG's primary relationship holder with venue partners across all active Bay Area markets, public event sites, and catering locations

- Own key account relationships-building trust, resolving issues, and deepening partnerships over time

- Identify and cultivate new venue partnerships; support operational due diligence and the opening process for new locations

- Develop and document site-specific best practices for each venue: access protocols, setup logistics, load-in/load-out procedures, permit requirements, and relationship contacts

Team Leadership - Catering Event Producers

- Directly manage the team of Catering Event Producers, who plan catering events end-to-end through event-ready

- Provide regular 1:1s, performance feedback, and development plans for each direct report

- Own onboarding for new producers; maintain and improve the producer training and planning program

- Manage scheduling and workload distribution across the producer team; flag capacity issues to the Head of Operations proactively

Defect Reporting & Program Improvement

- Report and resolve planning- and spec-side defects; partner with the Onsite Event Manager on field-side defects, using the BEO bounce-back as the model

- Partner with the Head of Operations on labor forecasting, budget adherence, and program improvement

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- 4-6 years of event production, catering operations, or hospitality experience-including meaningful time planning and curating complex, multi-vendor activations

- At least 2 years directly supervising event or catering planning teams

- A strong eye for curation and experience design-able to translate a client's vision into a plan that delivers

- Demonstrated experience sourcing and contracting 3rd party vendors-staffing platforms, AV, decor, or entertainment

- Experience managing venue relationships and key accounts, and developing site-specific operational protocols

- Strong systems thinking and documentation discipline; builds process that scales

- A natural communicator-warm, direct, and confident with clients, venue partners, creators, vendors, and team members

- Proficiency in Google Suite; comfort with CRM/event management platforms (Salesforce or similar a plus)

- Valid California Driver's License with a clean driving record; reliable transportation to Bay Area event sites

- Bachelor's Degree preferred, not required

SCHEDULE & DETAILS

Type: Full-Time, Exempt Salaried

Compensation: $105,000-$115,000/year

Schedule: Primarily weekday planning hours, with nights and weekends as needed to support event operations

Location: San Francisco (primary) with regular Bay Area travel

Reports to: Head of Operations (currently CEO)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role combines planning and production management with periodic onsite presence. You'll need to stand, walk, and move through event sites for extended periods at times. The role occasionally involves moving and lifting equipment up to 25 lbs. Outdoor work in variable Bay Area weather is part of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

OFF THE GRID IS FOR EVERYONE

We're committed to building a team that reflects the communities we activate in. Off the Grid is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.