Community Events Lead

About the role

New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1958 dedicated to promoting running and fitness. NYRR organizes numerous races and community events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, which raises funds for charity and boosts the economy of New York City. NYRR also offers youth fitness programs in underserved communities.

About the department

The Community Impact Department includes the Youth Programs, Community Programs, and Youth and Community Events teams. NYRR provides fitness programs to thousands of New York City residents, with a focus on empowering children and older adults through running and walking activities.

About the position

The Community Events Lead is responsible for planning, executing, and managing NYRR's complex community events and strategic initiatives. This role requires strong project management, leadership, and operational skills.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of NYRR's portfolio of Community Events, community activations, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the Director to develop new Community Event concepts and strategic initiatives while improving existing events and enhancing the participant experience.
• Serve as the primary project manager for assigned events, overseeing all phases of planning and execution, including project plans, workback schedules, operational timelines, staffing plans, site layouts, logistics plans, and production documentation.
• Lead cross-functional planning efforts with internal departments including Operations, Marketing, Creative Services, Volunteer Services, Procurement, Finance, Medical, Safety & Security, and Community Impact.
• Manage relationships with vendors, venues, city agencies, community organizations, sponsors, and external partners throughout the planning and execution process.
• Manage assigned event budgets, including expense tracking, invoice reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Maintain project timelines, proactively identify operational risks, and implement solutions to maintain project schedules.
• Develop operational standards, planning tools, and documentation that improve consistency, efficiency, and execution across Community Events.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and mentorship to Community Events Coordinators, interns, seasonal staff, and Event Supervisors while fostering collaboration across project teams.
• Support onboarding and training of new team members and contribute to the professional development of the Community Events team.

Job Requirements

• 3+ years of event management or related experience, preferably in sports, community events, experiential marketing, or live event operations.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex events from concept through execution.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong experience coordinating vendors, city agencies, community organizations, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing operational plans, production schedules, budgets, and logistics documentation.
• Experience mentoring project teams, interns, seasonal staff, or junior team members preferred.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required.
• USATF Youth Coaching Certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Technical knowledge of road racing and track and field events preferred.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Excellent operational planning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead complex projects while collaborating across multiple departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Ability to adapt quickly and make sound decisions in dynamic event environments.
• Ability to work occasional weekends or evenings.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Operate on a hybrid schedule, with two days per week in the NYRR office in NYC.

Other Requirements

• All staff are required to work the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, and the TCS NYC Marathon.
• Ability to lift 25lbs.

Pay

$76,000 annually.