Experiential Event Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ONSITE EVENT MANAGER

THE ROLE

The Onsite Event Manager is OTG's field leader and the person who delivers the experience-on behalf of the client and on behalf of the OTG brand. This is the leader who takes an event-ready plan and makes it real, transforming spaces and owning how every activation looks, feels, and runs (from plan review through execution and close-out), across public markets, public events, and catering. The job is to deliver flawlessly to brand standards and to capture the magic of the communities we create-for the client and for OTG's public communication channels.

This role is one half of OTG's event operations leadership, paired with the Event Production Manager. Where the Event Production Manager owns vision, curation, standards, vendors, and venues upstream, the Onsite Event Manager owns the field: the team, day-of execution, materials and logistics, compliance, and creator accountability onsite. 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 operations professional who has run complex, multi-vendor events on the ground and understands that exceptional hospitality is never accidental-it's planned, practiced, and led by example, alongside a strong onsite team.

Off the Grid | San Francisco Bay Area | $100,000-$115,000/yr | Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Head of Operations | Department: Event Operations

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 guest experience, every creator interaction, every moment of hospitality at an OTG activation runs through this role. The Onsite Event Manager is the connective tissue between OTG's brand promise and what guests and hosts actually feel when they show up-and the person who ensures the best of that experience is captured and carried back to the client and out through OTG's public channels. This role sets the floor for every event we run and raises it every season.

THE PLANNING-EXECUTION HANDOFF

The relationship between the Onsite Event Manager and the Event Production 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 through close-out.

- When the Onsite Event Manager identifies a gap, the plan bounces back to the Event Production Manager for refinement and clarification. Accuracy stays upstream.

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

Onsite Execution & Event Close-Out

- Review every event-ready BEO / Public Event Playbook; bounce gaps back to the Event Production Manager for refinement before execution

- Own event execution from load-in through close-out across markets, public events, and catering

- Lead OTG's largest and most complex activations in collaboration with the onsite events team-owning setup, service flow, guest engagement, experiential elements, and breakdown as a coordinated team effort

- Serve as the field decision-maker for live incidents that exceed producer authority

- Review post-event reports for completeness and actionable insight; close the loop on flagged issues

Brand Experience & Onsite Hospitality

- Deliver the guest-facing brand experience at every OTG activation on behalf of the client and the OTG brand-executing and maintaining to the brand and spec standards defined by the Event Production Manager

- Capture the magic of the experience for the client and for OTG's public communication channels-executing marketing-defined activation and content-collection elements as set in the BEO / Public Event Playbook, in collaboration with marketing (marketing is principally responsible for activation and content)

- Set and enforce hospitality standards in the field; coach producers and crew to deliver consistently, not just on the best days

- Champion OTG's identity on the ground: signage, creator placement, staff presentation, and all guest-facing elements on-brand and intentional

- Resolve issues before guests notice them and create moments of authentic discovery

Materials & Logistics

- Own materials ordering and ongoing maintenance for all event types-procuring and maintaining to the specs defined upstream

- Ensure event materials are ordered, delivered, and event-ready on time

- Maintain accurate records of equipment status and condition

Vendor Day-of Management

- Manage the day-of operational relationship with all 3rd party vendors onsite-staffing platforms (e.g. Instawork), AV, decor, rentals, and entertainment

- Conduct onsite quality checks; provide direct feedback when standards aren't met; manage live escalations

- Track and report field-observed vendor performance-fill rates, no-show rates, quality scores-to the Event Production Manager to inform sourcing decisions

Creator Success & Accountability

- Serve as the primary onsite point of contact for creators (mobile food businesses) across markets, public events, and catering

- Own creator onboarding and mid-season public event creator booking and curation

- Own creator onsite reporting, accountability, and performance-deliver direct, constructive feedback on setup, sanitation, service speed, and guest engagement; document and follow up on corrective actions

- Ensure creators meet contractual obligations, safety and sanitation requirements, and OTG's code of conduct

Compliance - Documents & Permits

- Own document and permit compliance for events, with particular focus on public events

- Ensure health, safety, and sanitation standards are met above and beyond local municipal codes

- Complete and review incident reports promptly and accurately

Training Ownership

- Own OTG's onsite training program: build on existing materials, then iterate continuously based on field observation, event performance, and team feedback

- Design and deliver onboarding for new producers and seasonal refreshers for returning staff-hospitality standards, brand rituals, safety, and equipment use

- Build and maintain training documentation, competency checklists, and certification records

- Spend meaningful time coaching in the field-model the standards you expect

Team Leadership

- Directly manage Onsite Event Producers, Market Producers, the Operations Coordinator, and the Event Production & Logistics Lead

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

- Build and publish event staffing schedules across all programs, balancing certifications, availability, event complexity, and labor budget

- Foster a team culture grounded in OTG's values: exceptional hosts, precise execution, authentic connection

Defect Reporting

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

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- 4-6 years of event production, catering operations, or hospitality experience-including meaningful time running complex, multi-vendor activations on the ground

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

- Demonstrated experience managing 3rd party vendors in the field-staffing platforms, AV, decor, or entertainment-with high standards and direct accountability

- Experience owning event compliance, permitting, and site-specific operational protocols

- Proven ability to execute creative concepts with concept integrity intact, from plan to activation

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

- Calm under pressure with strong real-time problem-solving instincts

- Proficiency in Google Suite; comfort with scheduling, staffing platforms, and event production tools

- 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: Regular nights and weekends required to align with event operations

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

Reports to: Head of Operations (currently CEO)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This role combines regular onsite field presence with team and program management. You'll need to stand, walk, and move through event sites for extended periods. The role frequently involves moving and lifting equipment up to 25 lbs, occasionally up to 50 lbs during event setup and breakdown. 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.