Event Operations Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Event Operations Specialist is instrumental in delivering various operational projects year-round in Black Rock City. The role also supports the event operations team, which includes a diverse set of leaders who make key decisions about the event's operations and Burning Man culture both on and off the playa.

This position is a regular, full-time, eligible for benefits role based in San Francisco, CA or Reno, NV.

The deadline to apply for this role is 5:00 pm Pacific on Monday, April 28th, 2025.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Project Coordination & Communication: 70%

• Create, maintain, and drive project plans, including timelines, deliverables, and milestones for event operations-led projects.
• Coordinate cross-departmentally on specific multi-departmental projects to ensure positive operational outcomes. 
• Manage and coordinate communication and content for BRC-related deliverables.
• Escalate issues through agreed-upon protocols.
• Identify themes and collect data and perspectives relevant to key issues and decisions.
• Coordinate with broader operational departments to ensure continuous program improvement and success.

Administration: 20%

• Complete hiring and related paperwork for event ops seasonal roles.
• Complex calendar management, including meeting scheduling and resolution of scheduling conflicts.
• Coordinate and support cross-departmental planning meetings.
• Facilitate meetings and drive action items.
• Record and report meeting minutes for meetings as required.
• Maintain department’s Google Drive and other relevant workspace tools, ensuring all meeting notes and pertinent 
documents/files are posted appropriately and available for review to the appropriate
users.
• Manage departmental deliverables and resource requests.
• Manage expense reports and essential travel coordination.
   

Other functions and responsibilities: 10%

• Maintain expertise of the organizational structure and strategy of the organization.
• Identify gaps and connect departments where necessary.
• Assist with interview and hiring processes for various departments, which includes coordinating with candidates, scheduling interviews, and conducting interviews as assigned.
• Perform other tasks/duties as deemed necessary.

Learning and Teaching

• Documentation - Assists in creating, publishing, and maintaining process documentation related to assigned duties.
• Knowledge sharing – Helps acculturate and educate junior staff in Burning Man culture and business processes.
• Training development - Collaborates with the education team to develop training materials in their area of expertise, as requested.
• Learning – Pursues ongoing learning in their area of expertise, working to stay current on emergent knowledge, skills, and processes.

 
QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 3+ years as an administrative or program coordinator and/or project management professional.
• Experience working in event/festival production.
• Experience communicating with senior organizational executives.
• A motivated approach to work and an eye for detail.
• Willingness to learn proactively and ask clarifying questions.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple leaders; evaluate and prioritize workload as necessary.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and proprietary information with discretion.
• Able to maintain a high-quality of work while meeting tight deadlines.
• Five-star scheduling skills.
• Lead by example, motivate, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent problem solver. 
• Professional demeanor and effective in verbal and written communications.
• Organized, detail-oriented, self-starter.
• Ability to follow directions accurately and efficiently.
• Expert knowledge of Google Sheets and Google Docs, databases, and collaboration tools like Slack, Asana.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Ability to travel to and work from Nevada / Black Rock City as required, including for a minimum 6-week period during the summer event season.

Preferred

• Valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Project Coordinator experience.
• Executive administrative support experience. 
• Experience facilitating meetings. 
• It is helpful if the candidate has previously been to Burning Man and/or is familiar with its culture.

Note: If you have gained the necessary experience to succeed in this role and have acquired this experience in other ways, we encourage you to apply and share all relevant experience in your application.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

We are certain that working for Burning Man Project is unlike any other job on the planet! In addition to the unique opportunity to participate and contribute to our global community and culture within a creative, fun, and inspiring work environment, we’re also thrilled to provide the following:

COMPENSATION:

Individual compensation decisions are dependent on a variety of factors, including prior experience and geographical location. The anticipated salary range for this position is $72,000 to $88,000 annually.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• Health benefits: medical, dental, vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• Long term disability and life insurance.
• 401k retirement plan with voluntary employee contribution.
• Accrued vacation and sick time: Up to 10 days vacation per 12 months on assignment.
• Additional annual paid time off in accordance with policy guidelines; 7 paid holidays annually, in addition to paid office closure during December 24th - January 1st.
• Paid parental and bonding leave.
• Communications benefits for hybrid employees; reimbursement of up to $120/month for home office internet and phone expenses.
• Commuter benefit program.
• Mental health support, life coaching, financial and legal consultation services through our employee assistance program.
• Professional development fund along with unique leadership and learning opportunities. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Off-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary in nature; no special demands are required.
• On-playa:  Work is primarily sedentary but will also include the need to find and meet with department representatives who may not be in the vicinity therefore, this could include walking or using some form of transportation.  Some of the work will be in outside weather conditions and exposed to fumes or airborne particles, as well as possible extremes in temperature.

NOTICE FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

• Burning Man Project celebrates the importance of creating a diverse environment and enthusiastically encourages Black, Indigenous, Peoples of Color, LGBTQIA+, Immigrant, women, and people with disabilities, of all ages, to apply.
• Burning Man Project provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
• Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.