Events and Outreach Manager

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Global Economy and Development program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress

Position Location : This position is hybrid . Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

Please note : This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Communications, the Events and Outreach Manager works with a communications team and scholars of the Global Economy and Development (Global) program to provide event planning and outreach to maximize the impact of Global’s research, convenings, and projects. This includes managing speakers, space and audio-visual logistics, vendors (e.g., catering, photographer, etc.), budgets, and post-event reporting. The Events and Outreach Manager contributes to Global’s impact goals by maintaining high brand standards, managing important internal and external relationships, and collaborating effectively with colleagues across Brookings.

This position will be a one-year termed appointment, subject to extension if funding is available.

Event Planning & Execution (70%)

Oversees all aspects of event planning and execution for all public and select private events, whether in-person or virtual.

Collaborates effectively with the Global scholars and project teams, Brookings central Office of Communications events and audiovisual staff and represents Global in meetings of all event managers to ensure Global’s events are aligned with overall Brookings event strategy.

Supports live webinar events and meetings, including prepping speakers, setting up Zoom / Teams, and managing the live webinar through to Q&A; works with program and central communications to live stream or swiftly post the event recording to the website.

If needed, leads internal and external meeting venue selection and plans site visits. Independently manages relationships with internal and external event vendors. Leads negotiation of contracts with event venues and hotels.

Manages the creation and compilation of conference materials and event staffing plans; oversees the preparation of speaker packets / run-of-shows, meeting confirmation forms, agendas, and other necessary meeting materials.

Authors correspondence for event participants.

Leads stakeholder engagement and audience building efforts for in-person and virtual events, including development of stakeholder outreach lists, creation of targeted invitations, and other promotional tactics.

Consults closely with Global’s research staff to ensure key needs are met through event offerings.

Manages and regularly updates the comprehensive event calendar and schedule in the Global project management system.

Closes out all events and leads post-event debriefs with Global’s staff or partners on follow-up recommendations, including communications to attendees, speakers, vendors and other stakeholders.

Actively acquires and pursues knowledge of events industry standards and trends and advises on how best to update Global’s event strategy.

Outreach and Communications (30%)

Makes connections between Global’s research agenda and relevant current policy dialogues to strengthen outreach and communications messaging and supports the implementation of Global’s broader communications team :

Maintains and curates key contacts, based on attendance at Global events, to both grow and improve the usefulness of Global’s contact database.

Monitors media inquiries (media inbox) and facilitates interview opportunities on behalf of scholars.

Occasionally supports the Senior Digital Media Manager on drafting and / or publishing promotional messaging for events and other Global outputs on social media.

With the guidance of the Senior Digital Media Manager, manages the scheduling, publishing of event pages / announcements, research outputs, including working papers, policy briefs, reports, op-eds, blogs, and executive summaries online.

Supports and collaborates with the Senior Director of Communications and Global Communications team as needs arise.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications :

Education / Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum five years of special events experience in a fast-paced public policy or public affairs environment with increasing complexity and independence required. Experience independently organizing and managing multiple complex projects is a must. Experience with digital media and platforms a plus.Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge / Skills Requirements

Knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), Zoom or equivalent videoconferencing platform(s), and familiarity of Asana or other project managing and CRM, with the capacity to learn new programs and applications; conference planning experience; strong verbal and written communications; desktop research skills; media relations and / or public affairs experience; strong organizational skills. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills required. Must be flexible, able to multitask, and proactively solve problems and think of creative solutions to problems or potential problems. Exceptional ability to synthesize information and write clearly and precisely without supervision required. Must be able to coordinate a variety of tasks simultaneously and consistently follow up on details. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Familiarity with public policy and / or or economics issues and audiences strongly preferred.

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits () .

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.  Please note : if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.

Program Global Economy and Development

Job Function Communications

Posted Date 1 month ago (10 / 23 / 2025 11 : 09 AM)

Job ID 2025-3753

Salary The projected hiring range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000