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Events Operations Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Marriott

Event Operations Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES Managing Banquet Operations Projects supply needs for the department, (e.g ... Leads shifts and actively participates in the servicing of events. Executing Event Services ...

Marriott

Event Operations Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES Managing Banquet Operations Projects supply needs for the department, (e.g ... Leads shifts and actively participates in the servicing of events. Executing Event Services ...

Marriott

Director of Event Operations

Arlington, VA · On-site

Maintains customer satisfaction to insure retention and growth of business through referrals and repeat events. Leading Event Management Teams Leads execution of activities in Event Operations to ...

Marriott

Director of Event Operations

Arlington, VA · On-site

Maintains customer satisfaction to insure retention and growth of business through referrals and repeat events. Leading Event Management Teams Leads execution of activities in Event Operations to ...

Lucky Strike Entertainment

Event Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

Host special events; manage your team of event hosts; oversee all setup of appropriate areas BRING THE PARTY TO LIFE * Working with the Sales staff and Operations team, help create a seamless event ...

Lucky Strike Entertainment

Event Manager

Mclean, VA

$56K - $58K/yr

Host special events; manage your team of event hosts; oversee all setup of appropriate areas BRING THE PARTY TO LIFE * Working with the Sales staff and Operations team, help create a seamless event ...

Lucky Strike Entertainment

Event Manager

Mclean, VA

$56K - $58K/yr

Host special events; manage your team of event hosts; oversee all setup of appropriate areas BRING THE PARTY TO LIFE * Working with the Sales staff and Operations team, help create a seamless event ...

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Events Operations Manager information

See Washington salary details

$23.8K

$68K

$103.6K

How much do events operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for events operations manager in Washington is $68,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $79,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Events Operations Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Events Operations Manager, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in event planning or hospitality management, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with event management software (such as Cvent or Eventbrite), budgeting tools, and logistics systems is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication set top professionals apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring seamless event execution, client satisfaction, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges efficiently.

What are some common challenges faced by Events Operations Managers during large-scale events, and how can they be addressed?

Events Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as last-minute changes, logistical coordination, and ensuring smooth communication among vendors, staff, and clients. To address these, it's important to develop detailed contingency plans, maintain clear lines of communication, and conduct thorough walkthroughs before the event. Building strong relationships with reliable vendors and having a responsive team also helps in quickly resolving unexpected issues. Being adaptable and proactive is key to ensuring successful event execution.

What does an Events Operations Manager do?

An Events Operations Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the logistics of events such as conferences, meetings, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings. They manage event budgets, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, supervise event staff, and ensure that all aspects of the event run smoothly. Their role involves problem-solving on-site, handling unexpected issues, and ensuring client satisfaction. Overall, they play a key role in making sure events are executed efficiently and effectively.

What is the difference between Events Operations Manager vs Event Coordinator?

AspectEvents Operations ManagerEvent Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees event logistics, manages teams, ensures smooth executionAssists with planning, coordinates vendors, manages on-site activities
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, vendor negotiationCommunication, organization, multitasking
Work EnvironmentManagement level, often in corporate or large event settingsSupport role, often in various event types
CertificationsEvent management certifications preferredRelevant certifications optional

The main difference is that the Events Operations Manager holds a leadership role, overseeing the entire event process, while the Event Coordinator supports planning and execution. The manager focuses on logistics and team management, whereas the coordinator handles day-to-day tasks. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but the manager typically has more experience and responsibility.

What are popular job titles related to Events Operations Manager jobs in Washington? For Events Operations Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Events Operations Manager jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Events Operations Manager jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Events Operations Manager jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Events Operations Manager job openings:
Events Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Events Operations Manager job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,022 per year, or $32.7 per hour.
Event Operations Manager

Event Operations Manager

National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Job Description
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Washington, DC, is currently seeking an Event Operations Manager.
Company Description
The National Cherry Blossom Festival produces and promotes the nation's greatest springtime celebration and is dedicated to promoting the beauty of nature and international friendship through year-round programs, events, and educational and entertainment initiatives that enhance our environment, showcase arts and culture, and build community spirit.
Position Description
The Event Operations Manager is responsible for leading the operational planning and onsite logistics for National Cherry Blossom Festival events. This role owns site operations, permitting, infrastructure, health and safety, transportation, traffic management, load-in/load-out, equipment and supply management, and onsite operational execution.
The Event Operations Manager works in close partnership with the Senior Event Manager, Festival Production & Programming Delivery, who leads event production execution, programming delivery, run-of-show development, event pods, and production contractor coordination. Together, these roles ensure Festival events are both production-ready and operationally sound.
This is an operations-forward role focused on making sure Festival events can be executed safely, legally, efficiently, and professionally across public spaces, venues, parks, streets, and partner locations.
Reports to: Vice President
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Event operations and site logistics
  • Develop and manage operations-specific plans and timelines for Festival events.
  • Own official site plans, site layouts, and asset management documents.
  • Manage venue and site logistics for indoor, outdoor, public-space, park, street, and partner-hosted events.
  • Coordinate infrastructure needs including tents, tables, chairs, fencing, barricades, sanitation, radios, waste management, power distribution, parking, transportation, and traffic-related needs.
  • Manage the operational elements of food and beverage logistics, including load-in, placement, service access, waste, and site coordination.
  • Maintain inventory of Festival equipment, supplies, and materials in storage.
  • Manage the collection, distribution, return, and storage of event materials and supplies.
  • Lead load-in and load-out planning and execution for assigned events.
  • Coordinate operational signage needs, including parking, directional, health and safety, vendor access, and required permit signage.
  • Establish and manage the Event Operations Center in cooperation with Festival staff, contractors, volunteers, and public safety partners.
  • Monitor and resolve onsite operational and logistical issues during events.
  • Conduct operations closeout after events, including inventory checks, vendor follow-up, issue logs, and recommendations for future improvement.

Permitting, agency coordination, and public-space compliance
  • Acquire documentation, approvals, permits, and applications required by District of Columbia agencies, National Park Service, venues, public-space authorities, and other relevant entities.
  • Build and maintain a permit and agency coordination tracker.
  • Track permit deadlines, submission requirements, approval conditions, onsite posting requirements, and agency follow-up.
  • Serve as a primary operational liaison with permitting agencies, venue representatives, public-space partners, and site authorities.
  • Maintain copies of required permits and ensure proper permits and required signage are posted onsite.
  • Coordinate operational requirements with the National Park Service, including events and programs presented in partnership with NPS.
  • Advise internal teams on public-space, site, access, traffic, and operational constraints that may affect event plans.
  • Escalate agency, permit, or compliance concerns to the VP and relevant internal leads in a timely manner.

Health, safety, transportation, and traffic management
  • Develop, coordinate, and implement health and safety plans for Festival events in partnership with safety vendors, public safety partners, agency representatives, and Festival leadership.
  • Develop and implement transportation and traffic management plans in coordination with appropriate vendors and agencies.
  • Coordinate plans related to street closures, vehicle access, parking, pedestrian flow, vendor access, emergency access, crowd flow, and site circulation.
  • Support weather monitoring, severe weather planning, and operational contingency planning.
  • Coordinate accessibility planning in partnership with the Accessibility Coordinator and relevant Festival staff, including accessible routes, viewing areas, seating, restrooms, signage, guest communications, and onsite support.
  • Identify and escalate safety, site, traffic, weather, crowd management, infrastructure, or public-space concerns that may affect event execution.
  • Ensure operational plans support safe guest, vendor, performer, sponsor, volunteer, media, and staff movement throughout event sites.
  • Participate in event-day go/no-go or modification discussions when site, weather, safety, or operational issues arise.

Operations vendors, equipment, and inventory
  • Manage operations vendors, supplies, equipment, storage, asset movement, and onsite logistics.
  • Coordinate infrastructure vendors, including tenting, fencing, barricades, sanitation, radios, transportation, waste management, power, parking, traffic, and related operations vendors.
  • Develop operational vendor timelines, arrival windows, site access plans, credentialing needs, and load-in/load-out schedules.
  • Ensure operations vendors understand site rules, permit requirements, access points, safety expectations, and event-day procedures.
  • Coordinate with Finance and Business Operations on vendor paperwork, purchase orders, invoices, contracts, certificates of insurance, and payment timing.
  • Maintain inventory before and after Festival events.
  • Track equipment and supplies issued to staff, contractors, volunteers, partners, and event sites.
  • Identify equipment gaps, storage needs, replacement needs, and procurement recommendations.

Load-in, load-out, and onsite operations command
  • Own the load-in and load-out plan for Festival events.
  • Coordinate site access, vehicle routes, vendor movement, equipment placement, storage areas, staff access, and strike procedures.
  • Incorporate production, sponsor, performer, vendor, volunteer, media, and guest experience needs into the operational load-in/load-out plan.
  • Oversee operations crews to ensure operational plans are implemented accurately.
  • Establish onsite communication protocols for operations staff, vendors, contractors, volunteers, and relevant internal teams.
  • Manage onsite operational issue resolution and escalate major concerns to the VP, Senior Event Manager, safety partners, or public agencies as appropriate.
  • Maintain daily operating checklists for multi-day programs or events.
  • Support the daily operational coordination of programs presented with National Park Service or other site partners.

Cross-functional coordination with the full scope of NCBF staff and departments, contractors and interns, as well as the National Park Service and other civic partners.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in event operations, festival operations, public events, site logistics, civic events, venue operations, or related work.
  • Demonstrated experience with permit acquisition and agency coordination in Washington, DC or a comparable public-event environment.
  • Strong understanding of site logistics, public-space operations, vendor coordination, load-in/load-out, infrastructure, traffic, transportation, and safety planning.
  • Excellent project coordination, time management, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, vendors, and operational details simultaneously.
  • Strong communication and writing skills.
  • High attention to detail and concern for accuracy, safety, and operational excellence.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
  • Ability to exercise professionalism, discretion, and good judgment with staff, board members, vendors, agencies, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Experience with project management or collaboration tools such as Monday.com, Slack, or similar platforms.
  • Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours during peak Festival periods.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with large outdoor festivals, parades, public-space events, parks, street closures, waterfront events, or multi-day public programs.
  • Experience working with District of Columbia agencies, National Park Service, public safety partners, transportation vendors, or permitting entities.
  • Experience managing operations crews or onsite logistics teams.
  • Experience supporting accessibility planning, severe weather planning, emergency action planning, or crowd management.
  • Experience with nonprofit events or mission-driven cultural organizations.
  • Familiarity with Washington, DC event production environments.

CORE COMPETENCIES
  • Site operations leadership
  • Permit and agency coordination
  • Public-space logistics
  • Vendor management
  • Safety and risk awareness
  • Transportation, traffic, and load-in/load-out planning
  • Inventory and asset management
  • Cross-functional collaboration and problem solving under pressure
  • Clear communication and detail orientation
  • Professional judgment with calm onsite leadership
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Commitment to public-facing service and community impact

As an integral part of the NCBF team, this full-time salaried exempt position participates fully in and leads the production and execution of all Festival events. This requires flexibility to be available evenings and weekends, and to work additional hours during peak periods. Must be comfortable working onsite at outdoor events and able to move through event sites, stand for extended periods, and work in changing and challenging weather conditions.
COMPENSATION/BENEFITS
Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000/year. Benefits package includes health insurance with prescription drug, dental, and eye plans (substantially underwritten by NCBF); annual and sick leave; short-term and long-term disability; life insurance; flexible spending account; 401K plan with safe harbor contributions eligible 6 months after hire; parking/transit subsidy, office location in Downtown Washington, DC.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

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