Events Director (Non-profit, Co-Working Space)

About LACI 

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a nonprofit organization creating an inclusive green economy. We create impact in Los Angeles and nationwide by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through catalytic partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in zero emission transportation, clean energy, and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Originally founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world. Since 2011, LACI has helped 500+ portfolio companies raise over $1.5 billion in funding, generate $477 million in revenue, deploy $60M+ in pilot funding, and create more than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a long-term economic impact of more than $733 million.  Learn more at laci.org.

Position Summary:

The Director of Events leads end-to-end event strategy, production, and evaluation for events associated with LACI—including third-party rentals, campus events, and LACI programmatic initiatives. While heavily centered on high-impact event execution, this role drives overall event strategy, ensuring data-driven planning and campaigns boost engagement, revenue, and brand reach across LACI and the La Kretz Innovation Campus (LKIC) community.

Reporting to the VP, Marketing & Communications, the Director of Events ensures high-quality event delivery. This role manages event budgets, leads space rental operations, maximizes existing event platforms, creates and executes production timelines, delivers timely updates on event status, and oversees advance scheduling for staffing of LACI events, including campus events M-F (including some evenings) and offsites. The Director of Events supervises the Events & Marketing Associate and Events & Marketing Coordinator, and serves on LACI’s Director Team.

The Director of Events plays a pivotal role in advancing LACI's mission by spearheading high-impact experiences that amplify our voice, showcase our startup cohorts, and foster vital catalytic partnerships. This role oversees the production of LACI’s marquee annual Summit—a high-profile gathering featuring elected officials, athletes, celebrities, and media that directly furthers our Road to 2028 Goals—alongside essential flagship programs like Power Day, our culminating pitch competition and showcase connecting pre-seed to seed-stage founders with investors, policymakers, industry leaders, and community partners. From convening Women in Clean Tech gatherings to driving engagement during Climate Week events, the Director of Events ensures that every activation powerfully communicates our brand, accelerates cleantech commercialization, and drives change across the green economy.

What You’ll Do:

• Events Strategic Planning & Oversight:
  • Lead planning, scheduling, execution, evaluation, and comprehensive marketing strategy for  LACI events, including campus rentals, programmatic events, and offsite activations.
  • Utilize data-driven decisionmaking before and after events, establishing pre-event targets and leveraging post-event analytics, ROI metrics, and attendee feedback to continuously refine strategies.
  • Provide visionary leadership in maximizing existing event/tech platforms (Splash/Cvent, Asana, Mailchimp, Slido, IVY).
  • Lead large scale event production - from start to finish with a white glove approach to guest and speaker experience and event flow.
  • Oversee day of event communication utilizing group communications platforms like Whatsapp.
  • Create detailed ROS and event packets with Look Books for large-scale events.
  • Order appropriate event rentals, swag and promotional materials, when needed.
  • Research and provide insightful venue selection choices for offsite events.
  • Ensure message alignment with event content (especially LACI programmatic events), social media, website and newsletters, working with the VP of Marketing & Communications and the Director of Communications & Public Affairs to ensure all events are telling the comprehensive LACI story, regardless of venue. 
  • Third-Party Rentals:
    • Oversee LACI’s event space rental program - at LKIC -  including marketing, client intake, contracts, pricing, usage policies, and serving as on site contact.
    • Ensure that third-party events align with LACI’s mission, community standards, and operational capacity.
    • Collaborate with the Finance & Compliance teams and the Campus Management team to ensure proper documentation, invoicing, and compliance for rental agreements.
  • LACI Programmatic Events:
    • Work with program teams (pillars) and GO Team to design and produce mission-aligned events such as summits, pitch showcases, thought leadership events, and partner engagements.
    • Work with program teams (pillars) and GO Team to develop key strategic event partners from LACI’s ecosystem and leverage partners to curate audiences and increase revenue and reach of events. 
    • Develop event partnerships across the ecosystem to support audience curation strategy.
• Team Leadership & Management:
  • Supervise, mentor, and support the Events & Marketing Associate and Coordinator, establishing clear performance metrics, balanced workflow distribution, and professional development paths.
  • Set team goals for event delivery with cross-departmental delivery groups, assign roles, and ensure consistent performance across all aspects of event planning and delivery.
  • Work with the Events & Marketing Associate and Coordinator to ensure sufficient coverage/staffing with advanced planning and calendar management.
  • Manage external consultants as needed.
  • Participate in LACI’s Director Team.
• Operations, Budgeting & Evaluation:
  • Assume fiscal responsibility for event and marketing budgets, overseeing budget creation, expense tracking, resource optimization, and financial reporting.
  • Build and refine SOPs for event execution, communications, registration, and reporting across all events and venues. 
  • Develop and monitor event KPIs (e.g., attendance, satisfaction, revenue, operational impact) and use insights to improve event design, audience curation, processes and outcomes.

Requirements:

Basically, we want to know you can get the job done. This means you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, communications, business, or a related field—or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of experience leading event strategy, event marketing, and production, with proven expertise managing budgets, venue sales, and multi-channel promotional plans. 
• Proven leadership and staff management experience, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
• Team player ready to jump in, come up with solutions, and get the job done.
• Strong project management, time-management, production and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and work in agile environments to achieve project goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confidence in managing high-profile stakeholders and partners.
• Demonstrated competency in data-driven analysis (pre/post-event KPIs) and evaluating/implementing tech solutions for guest and user experience.
• Passion for sustainability, clean technology, and social impact, with a desire to contribute to positive change in the world.
• CMP preferred. 

Work Requirements

• This role is hybrid, working onsite at our downtown Los Angeles office at least 3 days per week. Additional days onsite will  be required depending on work responsibilities, events, and other factors.
• Proactively plan and schedule event team coverage well in advance to ensure seamless operational support for Monday–Friday on-campus event presence, offsite events, and periodic evening coverage as needed.
• Ability to have an active role in events on campus, including set up/break-down, and other requirements.
• Participate in Campus Emergency Planning as a Floor Warden.
• Certified and up to date in CPR/First-Aid Training (provided by organization).
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.

Position Details:

This is a full-time position, starting immediately. LACI operates out of the La Kretz Innovation Campus, in the bustling Downtown LA Arts District. Since we are rapidly growing, you will be getting in on the ground floor at LACI, with the opportunity to evolve with us and shape your future here. 

Salary Range: Director Range $90-106k commensurate with experience, education, skills, etc and total compensation package including health benefits, 401k match, professional development, commuter benefits and more.

In addition to working on a campus with other innovators, we offer industry competitive benefits including: paid holidays, vacation/sick time, health benefits, 401(k) plan, professional development, and paid parking. We also support alternative transportation with a metro pass for every employee.