Events Manager

About the role

We're looking for an experienced Event Manager to join our small team at Y Combinator. Our team produces a wide range of flagship events, including milestone celebrations, high-touch multi-day retreats, quarterly Demo Day showcases, and conferences for thousands of attendees. The majority of our events are produced in-house, which means this role goes far beyond managing vendors. You'll help shape the project management, production, logistics, and guest experience of events that bring together some of the most ambitious founders, builders, and investors in the world. Our hands-on approach rewards curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness in how events are brought to life.

This is a role for someone who has personally led complex events from concept through execution and enjoys the responsibility that comes with owning every detail. You'll partner closely with the Head of Events to produce many of YC's largest events while independently leading others from start to finish. YC intentionally stays small, giving every member of the team meaningful ownership and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on how YC operates.

Responsibilities

• Building detailed production schedules, run-of-shows, staffing plans, and event documentation.
• Sourcing, negotiating, and managing relationships with venues, hotels, caterers, rental companies, AV partners, transportation providers, fabricators, and other vendors.
• Partnering closely with various teams across YC to plan for registration, guest communications, and credentialing.
• Managing allocated event budgets with financial diligence, processing a high volume of invoices and contracts.
• Coordinating security plans for all events, with a high-touch approach for VIP attendees.
• Working directly with city agencies and public safety partners to obtain permits for the majority of our events.
• Rolling up your sleeves wherever needed. Event ownership at YC means being the first person on-site for load-in and the last person to leave after load-out.

Qualifications

• You have 5+ years of professional event production experience.
• You've personally led complex events from beginning to end as the lead producer, executive producer, or equivalent, not primarily in a supporting role.
• You enjoy owning events from start to finish and take pride in getting the details right.
• You thrive in a small, highly collaborative team where everyone contributes directly to the success of each event.
• You communicate professionally with founders, executives, investors, public officials, vendors, and guests.
• You're passionate about YC's mission and excited to showcase the world's best startups through thoughtful, impactful event experiences.

Bonus Points

• Experience working with premium hospitality brands, luxury event production, or high-end experiential agencies.
• Experience working with high-profile attendees and/or executive security teams.
• Experience working in venue operations (at a museum, hotel, or other event space), with a strong respect and understanding of building/facilities operations.
• Experience obtaining permits through agencies such as the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), or the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation (ISCOTT).
• You’re excited by what AI tools can do for the event workflow.

Location

YC is headquartered in San Francisco, and candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. A large portion of our event programming takes place in the afternoon, evening, and weekends.

Pay

$200,000 - $230,000 salary (depending on skills and experience).

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Infertility benefit
• Short-term disability (STD) / Long-term disability (LTD)
• Life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• 401(k) + 4% matching
• Generous parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Flexible paid time off policy