Onsite Event Manager

Off the Grid is a dynamic placemaking platform dedicated to activating local businesses and spaces in order to foster community connections through unique, in-person experiences. Operating primarily throughout the Bay Area, Off the Grid organizes over 60 events weekly, including public markets, mobile catering, and bespoke events. These activations bring together hundreds of local food creators and attract over 100,000 guests every week, making each space a thriving hub of social engagement and culinary exploration. The platform’s mission is to create environments where people can gather, connect, and enjoy authentic local culture, supporting small businesses and enriching neighborhoods in the process.

As an Onsite Event Manager at Off the Grid, you will step into a pivotal leadership role that directly shapes the guest experience and operational success of every event. This full-time, exempt salaried position comes with a competitive compensation range of $85,000 to $105,000 per year, reflecting the level of responsibility and expertise required. Based primarily in San Francisco with regular travel across the Bay Area, the role demands a hands-on presence in event management combined with strategic oversight of team, vendor, and venue partnerships.

The Onsite Event Manager serves as the field leader and brand ambassador, responsible for defining how every activation looks, feels, and operates. Your leadership ensures that Off the Grid's brand values—fun, conviviality, authenticity, and precision—are evident at each event from start to finish. You will personally lead the largest and most complex marketplaces and catering events while managing a team of Onsite Producers. This role consolidates numerous functions including field execution, staff development, experiential programming, venue relations, and training management into a single point of accountability.

Success in this position requires a seasoned event or catering operations professional with a track record of managing complex, multi-vendor activations at the ground level. You understand that exceptional hospitality is not accidental; it's meticulously planned, practiced, and led by example. Your ability to translate creative concepts into precise, repeatable onsite execution will elevate guest experiences and ensure the smooth delivery of a wide variety of events.

The Onsite Event Manager also plays a critical role in vendor management, overseeing relationships with staffing platforms, AV providers, decor and rental vendors, and entertainment partners. You will set performance standards, monitor quality, and handle operational feedback to maintain excellence and accountability. Furthermore, you are the primary liaison with venue partners, building trust and ensuring that each location operates according to customized operational protocols that support sustainability and long-term partnership.

In addition to leadership and operational duties, this role owns the onsite training program, fostering continuous improvement through onboarding, coaching, and maintaining documentation that supports staff competency and certification. The position requires a balance of field presence, moving through event sites and managing physical demands, with planning, scheduling, and strategic operational management.

Off the Grid embraces diversity and inclusion, committed to building teams that reflect the communities served. This role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a vibrant organization that values community connection, exceptional hospitality, and operational excellence. Regular nights and weekends are required to align with event schedules, ensuring that every activation upholds the highest standards and delivers memorable experiences to guests and partners alike.