Event Planners & Event Producers
Part Time Contract
About Make it Mariko
Make it Mariko (pronounced MAH-ree-ko) is an all women of color Bay Area experiential events agency creating magical, meaningful moments for the community. We are experience curators, community organizers, corporate planners, nonprofit advocates, and event enthusiasts.
We are committed to curating creative, inclusive, and diverse spaces in the events industry to challenge the status quo and pave the way for a new generation of event experience curators. Our company was founded in 2015 by Gina Mariko Rosales and we have a wide network of creative partners, vendors, and clients that we work with throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
We do Experience Design, Planning & Production for:
- Events & Curated Experiences
- Brand Activations
- Launch Campaigns
- Corporate & Community Conferences
- Corporate Leadership Summits & Internal Events (like Holiday Parties)
- Community Festivals (like UNDISCOVERED SF, our flagship event)
- Nonprofits
Through our sister company, POC Wedding Party, we also curate wedding experiences. Learn more about our company values and hear our origin store here: www.makeitmariko.com/about.
About the Role
Make it Mariko Event Planners/Event Producers* will work closely with our Team, Vendors, and Clients to curate various events, activations, and projects. We are looking for seasoned events professionals who have a proven track record of Client & Project Management experience, strong vendor relationships already built, and can get to work quickly with minimal direction. The Planner/Producer will do a range of event planning work focused on managing Client meetings, complex timelines and deadlines, vendor & venue management, writing event comms, event design, event budgeting, and more.
This is a great opportunity for a talented freelancer or consultant who wants to work on strategic events and get involved with multiple high impact community projects in the Bay Area creative community. You will be working directly with our clients and most importantly, with our amazing creative vendor community of POC producers, stage managers, photographers, videographers, graphic designers, DJs, performers, and more.
Women of Color are highly encouraged to apply.
*We use these terms somewhat interchangeably depending on the size of the event, and the scope of production management involved (i.e. Event Producers should have direct large scale Stage Production experience).
What You’ll Be Doing:
Duties may vary week to week, but generally will include:
Event Planning, Production & Project Management
- Project manage various client events to ensure we’re staying on track for deadlines and deliverables. Communicate directly with our clients, schedule meetings, and follow up with updates and action items.
- Venue Sourcing & Management
- Vendor Management & Coordination including but not limited to:
- Food & Beverage
- Bar & Staffing
- A/V
- Lighting
- Rentals
- Decor & Florals
- Custom branded design installations
- Signage & Event Wayfinding
- Photographers, Videographers, and Photobooths
- Event Activities
- Accounting & budgeting for events and receipt organization
- Day of Timeline & Run of Show creation
- Manage Event Design & Layouts for ideal attendee experience and company brand alignment
- Work with Graphic Designers to create custom branded assets, event signage, swag, and marketing materials
- Write copy for events and guest communications as needed
- Logistics Coordination (Registration, Travel, Sponsors as needed per each event)
- Manage Day-of Coordination including vendor load in/out
- General research, planning, and outreach for events, venues, vendors, or key stakeholders as needed
General Expectations
- Attend regular team meetings and check ins as needed per project, including Make it Mariko’s Event Director
- Use Clickup to track weekly tasks and hours
- Collaborate across the team to improve team processes, efficiency, and overall happiness
- Build strong relationships with industry professionals, influencers, performers, and community members
- Respond to messages within 24-48 hours and escalate as needed
- Professionally represent Make it Mariko at all events
Apps used: Google GSuite (Gmail, Meet, Drive, Calendar, Slides, Sheets, Docs, Chat/Spaces), Clickup, AllSeated, 1Password
What We’re Looking For:
- At least 3-4 years professional experience working directly in Event Planning & Project Management
- MUST have past experience managing full end-to-end Event Planning
- Past experience working directly with Clients is a plus.
- Must be extremely proactive to keep pushing timelines forward to meet deadlines.
- Can work independently and proactively.
- Highly organized and has a passion for making things happen.
- Someone who thrives in ambiguity and is highly attuned to people’s needs.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver an exceptional experience for clients.
- Strong problem solver who is resourceful and can find creative solutions to any challenge.
- Great interpersonal skills – you enjoy interacting with people and building new relationships.
- Impact driven work – We work hard, and we work smart. We are looking for someone who stays focused on goals and purpose.
- Strong communication skills – verbal, written and presentation – and can confidently pitch in both a 1:1 and group setting.
- Working knowledge of all the apps listed are a plus. Training will be provided to learn HOW we specifically use each app as a company, but we expect that team members are tech savvy and can learn new apps independently.
- Past experience working with artists/arts orgs, social justice orgs, or nonprofits is a plus
- Confident creative writing skills. Must use the Oxford comma.
- Understands culturally sensitive language and understands how to write/speak appropriately about POC & marginalized communities
- Ability to work remotely and come into San Francisco as needed for events/team meetings.
Requirements
- Must have access to own laptop and WIFI for remote work
- Must be proficient with Google GSuite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, & Slides)
- Must have access to a car.
Why you might be excited about Make it Mariko:
- We are working on BIG, high impact projects this year like launching a POC Food & Wine Festival and working towards purchasing our own venue.
- You will be constantly surrounded by and introduced to amazingly talented and inspiring creatives and artists.
- You will get invited to a lot of awesome industry parties, events, happy hours, and karaoke of course 🙂 These events are the best way to build your network in this industry.
- You’ll be able to work remotely and set your own schedule as a contractor.
Why you might *NOT* be excited about us:
- We operate like a lean, mean startup. Everyone pitches in and helps as needed. No one is too good to clean up garbage or carry barricades, even our CEO.
- The work moves fast and changes happen frequently in this industry. If you don’t manage change well, this is not the company for you.
- We like working in person when we can, and we’re San Francisco based (and proud!). Most industry parties and community events happen in SF as well.
- We often deal with complex challenges and ambiguous goals. The pace changes often, clients often don’t know what they want, and they pay us to figure that out for them.
Additional Details & How to Apply
Hours
- Part Time / Contract
- Hours will vary depending on the project and client, but typically each project ranges between 1-4 months of planning ending with an in person event/activation.
Compensation
- We pay a flat rate per project for each Event Planner, which generally lands at a ~$30-40/hour rate. It all depends on the specific project and scope of work. Please list your preferred rate when you apply.
- This is a 1099 position.
Location
MUST BE BAY AREA BASED.
- This will be mostly remote work, with the exception of venue site visits and the event itself.
- You are welcome to come into our studio to co-work with us and all the amazing creatives at Balay Kreative Studios (863 Mission St) in SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. The MIM team comes in on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
TO APPLY:
Please email jobs@makeitmariko.com with the subject line “Your Name / Event Planner or Event Producer” depending on your preferred title and past experience, and include the following:
- A Cover Letter describing your interest, experience, and background. Please make sure to address the following:
- Why you want to join the Make it Mariko team
- Your relevant experience for this role based on this job description
- Your preferred hourly rate / range
- Your availability:
- How many hours a week are you able to work?
- How many events are you interested in taking on at once?
- When can you start?
- What apps you’re already familiar with from those listed above
- Resume (PDFs only)
- Link to your Event Portfolio of past events/projects you’ve managed completely / worked on in the past. Make sure to list which you have fully planned yourself vs ones where you were support.