Community Engagement & Events Manager

Louisville Public Media, a storied and dynamic public media company, seeks a Community Engagement & Events Manager to lead LPM event production and community engagement work, delivering high-quality, mission-aligned experiences — from large-scale public events like WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays to intimate gatherings with donors.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and working closely with content and revenue teams, this person ensures events support audience acquisition, fundraising, and relationship-building for a dynamic public media organization. LPM’s strategic priority is to grow awareness and deepen connection across Greater Louisville — building real relationships with communities that haven’t yet seen themselves in what we do.

This role carries two connected areas of work: community engagement and event production. Together, they involve showing up consistently and intentionally in neighborhoods through recurring events, partnerships, listening sessions, and community forums; cultivating new partnerships with civic institutions, businesses, and industries; and creating civic and cultural experiences that bring Louisville together. Events include on-site receptions and performances as well as off-site gatherings that require excellent project management, collaboration, problem-solving and customer service skills. Over time, this work turns first-time attendees into loyal audiences and members, diversifies revenue streams, and fulfills LPM’s mission of serving our diverse community.

Responsibilities

• Lead community engagement and event production efforts that build LPM’s visibility, deepen relationships, and advance our mission across Greater Louisville
• Ensure events and community initiatives support audience acquisition, engagement, fundraising, and strategic goals
• Pursue new partnerships with civic institutions, businesses, and neighborhoods not yet connected to LPM
• Grow LPM’s reach and presence — particularly in communities that haven’t yet seen themselves in what we do — through partnering with existing events and initiatives and developing our own
• Help position LPM as a trusted community convener and civic leader
• Foster an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion that upholds the organization's values and strategic goals

Essential Duties

Community Engagement and Presence

• Builds and maintains relationships with community organizations, venues, artists and neighborhood partners
• Coordinates a consistent presence across Louisville and Southern Indiana neighborhoods, including communities and populations LPM is working to reach and engage with
• Creates opportunities and events for community input and listening sessions
• Partners with the Business Partnership Team to design sponsorship packages and plays a role in identifying potential event sponsors, vendors and partners
• Represents LPM at community events as a convenor, producer, facilitator or participant
• Works with the Development Coordinator to identify volunteer opportunities and schedule volunteers for events as needed

Events Planning and Production

• Leads the planning and production of LPM events, working with the COO, LPM program leads and the revenue team
• Own the event planning process, managing timelines, budgets, logistics and on-site execution
• Coordinates with venues, vendors, volunteers and staff to promote and execute LPM events
• Works in tandem with Waterfront Park and WFPK staff to plan and execute WFPK Waterfront Wednesdays
• Support major donor and member engagement through tailored, high-quality experiences that align with LPM’s mission and brand
• Coordinates with the Marketing Coordinator to promote events, develop event materials and maximize attendance and impact
• Track event outcomes, attendance, costs, and engagement to inform future planning

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 3+ years experience in successful event coordination and execution of events of all sizes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute required tasks
• Team-oriented work style with strong relationship building and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects at a time
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license with insurance
• Ability to work occasional non-standard and weekend hours

Preferred Qualifications

• Some experience in concert production is preferred
• Knowledge of public event planning (obtaining permits, security, ticketing, and rentals)
• Demonstrated ability to balance editorial integrity with sponsor/donor needs

Physical Requirements

• Occasional local travel is required
• The ability to lift, transport, set up, attend to, dismantle and remove tables, chairs, signage, small tents, and other items necessary for event execution

Benefits

• Compensation at a range of $55,000 - $65,000 annual salary
• Professional growth through individual direction and training
• Generous paid time off, health insurance, and 401(k)
• Flexible workplace environment with a mix of office collaboration and community engagement
• Supportive, transparent, experimental, and accountable culture