Job Details

Title: On-Call Events Coordinator

Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco

Pay Information: $25.37/hr - $31.71/hr

Position Summary

KQED is seeking organized and service-minded On-Call Event Coordinators to support the Events & Experiences team in delivering exceptional live programming and hosted gatherings for our audiences, donors, and partners. This position provides day-of-event support to producers and event managers, ensuring polished operations, excellent guest experience, and seamless coordination with vendors.

The On-Call Event Coordinator assists with a wide range of events serving our public programming series KQED Live at the theater in our studio headquarters, as well as larger, more logistically complex off-site events around the Bay Area. The Coordinators may also support social and informational events for members and philanthropic supporters, third-party rentals of KQED's venue for mission-aligned client organizations, and other institutional events for staff and internal stakeholders, on assignment basis. This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy problem-solving on the fly, and are enthusiastic about live events and the important role that in-person gatherings play in rooting local communities. Hours vary based on KQED's event calendar and may include evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.

KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling.

We value the contributions of marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people — and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.

KQED Code of Ethics

The mission that drives us:

KQED provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters and working remotely.

Essential Functions

• Provide on-site support for public programs, donor and internal events, and rental events, including onstage talks, receptions, performances, screenings, seated dinners, daylong seminars/workshops, multivendor festivals and markets, and other formats.
• Assist producers and event managers with day-of logistics and run-of-show execution.
• Coordinate with and support external vendors such as caterers, AV/technical teams, and rental clients to ensure smooth load-in, execution, clean-up, strike, and load-out.
• Coordinate with KQED facilities, custodial, security, and parking teams to ensure fulfillment of event requirements.
• Support guest services, including check-in, ticketing, seating, and audience wayfinding.
• Monitor event spaces to ensure safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and a welcoming environment.
• Serve as a day-of liaison for onstage talent, vendors, donors, and guests as directed by the producer or manager.
• Troubleshoot operational and logistical issues quickly and effectively, escalating to producers or managers when needed.
• Uphold KQED's standards for hospitality, inclusivity, and community engagement and serve as a friendly, professional ambassador for KQED with talent, attendees, and partners.
• Assume other event-related responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge/Experience Required

• Prior experience in event coordination, hospitality, production, or customer service.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing needs in live event and production environments.
• Comfortable working with diverse audiences and external stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Successful completion of California Food Handler training and California Responsible Beverage Service training by an accredited program will be required of candidates who do not already possess.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays on an on-call basis.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and remain on feet for extended periods during events.

Knowledge/Experience Preferred

• Experience supporting live stage events, festivals, donor events, galas, or high-level client functions.
• Familiarity with AV/technical production, catering logistics, and vendor coordination.
• Experience in cultural institutions, nonprofits, or media organizations.
• Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog or other community language skills are a plus