We’re Hiring an Event Director for Elevate MTB Festival

About the role

The Event Director leads the planning, coordination, and on-site delivery of Elevate 2027. Working closely with VMBA and NEMBA staff, the Event Director owns logistics, program development, and volunteer management; co-leads communication and event execution; and supports marketing, sponsorship, inclusivity, and evaluation efforts. Importantly, any design decisions for the event remain the responsibility of the VMBA & NEMBA planning committee, which the Event Director will report to through regularly scheduled meetings. This is a seasonal contract running from approximately December 2026 through June 2027. The timing of the pre-event work is largely flexible and remote, with an on-site presence expected in the immediate lead up to and during the event.

Responsibilities

• Lead Event oversight: Develop the schedule for the weekend including planning and implementing the clinic and ride sessions, evening entertainment, keynote speeches, vendors, and meals while overseeing safety, registration, staff and volunteers, and post-event recap and debrief.
• Plan agenda and lead recurring team meetings.
• Venue coordination: Manage the relationship and room block with Trapp Family Lodge for Elevate, secure meals and/or food vendors and headcounts, source equipment, and update the site map.
• Participant & volunteer registration: Set the ticket structure and participant cap within budget, create and manage registration on the existing Elevate platform (Eventbrite), and provide participants the information and day passes they need, including aiding registrants with group ride and rider ability information.
• Transportation: Assess participant transportation and parking needs and manage related communications.
• Event safety: Coordinate with Stowe Mountain Rescue, Stowe Trails Partnership, and other local organizations; update the Emergency Response Plan; prepare safety materials and source first aid kits for ride leaders, instructors, and coaches; and identify First Aid/CPR training options.
• Volunteer recruitment & management: Refine volunteer roles and job descriptions, recruit, train, and manage volunteers, update the volunteer communication plan, host a pre-event training session.
• Coach & Ride Leader Oversight and Route Planning: Recruit, train, and manage local ride leaders and clinic/workshop coaches; recruit a head coach to manage ride leaders and coaches on-site. Create, map, and publish ride routes.
• Program & community-building activities: Work with the VMBA team to secure any venues beyond the primary lodge, coordinate equipment and vendor setup, facilitate a community evening (films, speakers, panelists), and manage speaker/instructor logistics.
• Co-Lead (with the Planning Committee) Collaboration & communication: Establish and manage clear communication with the Planning Committee throughout planning; track and report on progress and milestones.
• Event implementation: Execute the weekend’s activities, oversee general logistics and participant safety, and resolve issues in real time.
• Support (to the Planning Committee) Inclusivity & diversity: Inform strategies to welcome participants of all backgrounds and abilities, and collaborate with Vermont Adaptive and other adaptive MTB partners toward a fully adaptive-friendly event.
• Marketing & promotion: Provide feedback on marketing strategy & website management, contribute copy, and coordinate with partners and sponsors on promotional assets.
• Sponsorship acquisition: Identify prospective sponsors and help develop sponsorship packages.
• Feedback & evaluation: Collect and analyze participant feedback to measure success and guide future improvements.
• Budget management: Deliver the event within the approved budget and flag anticipated overages to the Planning Committee.

Qualifications

• Strong project management, organization, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, vendors, and volunteers
• Commit