Live Events Manager

Blaze Media is seeking a seasoned Live Events Manager to lead the planning, execution, and growth of our high-profile live events, and to develop new live experiences that strengthen our brand and engage our audience. You will own the end-to-end event lifecycle, from concept and budgeting through production logistics and post-event analysis, ensuring that every Blaze Media live event reflects our editorial voice and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Programming

• Collaborate with hosts, creative teams, and senior leadership to define the vision, objectives, and format for each live event.
• Identify new opportunities, guest speakers, formats, or partnerships, that align with Blaze Media's mission and drive audience growth.
• Maintain a master events calendar; prioritize resources for flagship properties and pilot new concepts.

Budgeting & Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage event budgets: venue rental, AV/production, talent fees, marketing, catering, staffing, travel, and contingency.
• Negotiate contracts with venues, vendors, and service providers to ensure cost efficiency without compromising quality.
• Track spend against forecasts; provide regular budget reports to the leadership team.

Production Planning & Logistics

• Oversee site selection, floor plans, signage, registration systems, insurance, and permitting.
• Coordinate audiovisual requirements, lighting, sound, live streaming, recording, and partner with Blaze Media's technical/IT teams for seamless execution.
• Manage on-site logistics: load-in/load-out schedules, vendor check-ins, staffing assignments, backstage hospitality, and crisis response protocols.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work cross-functionally with marketing, editorial, graphics, copywriting, legal, and social media to ensure cohesive promotion and branding.
• Act as the primary point of contact for hosts, managing deadlines, run-of-show documents, briefing materials, and post-event debriefs.

Marketing & Promotion

• Coordinate with Blaze Media's marketing and social teams to develop email campaigns, social teasers, web pages, and paid-media strategies that drive ticket sales, registrations, or livestream views.
• Provide/coordinate event assets (photo/video highlights, speaker quotes, data points) for pre and post-event content.
• Leverage audience data and feedback to optimize promotional tactics and messaging for future events.

On-Site Execution & Quality Control

• Serve as the event's primary on-site director: oversee registration/check-in, stage management, talent support, audience flow, and vendor relations.
• Troubleshoot technical or logistical issues in real time, liaising with AV vendors, venue staff, security, and production partners.
• Ensure every aspect, from branding elements to signature programming moments, meets Blaze Media's standards for quality and consistency.

Post-Event Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Collect and analyze key performance indicators: attendance numbers, livestream/recording metrics, sponsor satisfaction, budget variance, and qualitative audience feedback.
• Deliver a succinct post-mortem report, highlighting successes, areas for improvement, and actionable recommendations for future events.
• Maintain an “event playbook” (checklists, timelines, vendor contacts, best practices) to streamline workflows across the department.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Event Management, Hospitality, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 5–7 years' hands-on experience managing live events in a media, broadcast, or large-scale production environment (either in-house or agency side).
• Proven track record planning and executing live events, panels, or branded experiences with audiences of 1,000-10,000 attendees.
• Deep familiarity with live event space and stage/studio technical requirements
• Understanding of the conservative media landscape, with a sensitivity to content tone, messaging, and audience expectations that are core to Blaze Media's brand identity.
• Ability to tailor event agendas to showcase Blaze Media hosts' strengths—e.g., integrating live audience Q&As, or interactive polling.