SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER

This recruitment is open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will occur on February 6, 2026.

Pay Grade: 118

Annual Salary Range: $106,500 - $157,000

The successful candidate’s placement in the salary range will depend upon previous experience in a similar role.  The placement shall not exceed the midpoint of the salary range, which is $131,800 annually.

The City of Tempe offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 13 Paid Holidays and 1 Personal Day
• Vacation Accrual starts at 9.33 hours/month. Higher monthly vacation accrual rates may be available with prior ASRS service.
• Sick Leave Accrual; 8 hours/month
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Wellness Program Discount on health premiums
• Medical Reimbursement Program; $61.16/month
• Tuition Reimbursement; $6,500/year
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined benefit plan with mandatory employer and employee contributions currently at 12% which includes a Long-Term Disability benefit
• Supplemental Retirement Plans through Nationwide; 457, 401K, and Employer contribution
• Position is eligible for up to 40 hours of floating holiday leave
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To view the employee benefit summary, please visit:

Employee Benefit Summary

Department / Division:      

Community Services / Recreation

Job Type:

Full-Time Regular

This position is classified as safety sensitive.  Employees in safety sensitive positions are prohibited from all marijuana usage whether medical or recreational.

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Job Number:  

RC#902405

DESCRIPTION / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

The Special Events Manager leads the planning, coordination, and oversight of all major public events in Tempe. This position ensures that every event is well organized, compliant with city procedures, and reflects Tempe’s character and community values. The role combines strategy, leadership, and teamwork to support events that make Tempe a vibrant and welcoming place.

The Special Events Manager helps balance many priorities, including public safety, cultural inclusion, economic benefit, and community satisfaction. The person in this role must be organized, collaborative, and calm under pressure while maintaining a customer service mindset.

A successful candidate will bring a mix of strategic leadership, operational coordination, and community engagement skills to help Tempe continue its tradition of hosting safe, successful, and inclusive events.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Oversees and evaluates event operations. Facilitate the Special Event Task Force coordinating the review and approval of event applications and identifies operational protocols with internal departments and external organizers.
• Ensure compliance with City, county, and state laws and policies by coordination inspections, overseeing enforcement efforts and maintaining relationships with regulatory agencies.

Supervises the work of assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.

• Develop and manage special events operational budget. Track expenses and forecasting needs.
• Respond to and resolve public inquiries.
• Administers the special event permitting system; serve as the primary system administrator and primary liaison to IT for system functionality, user support, and updates.
• Participates in contract development, Request for Proposal (RFP) processes and vendor negotiations.
• Advises City leadership and City Council on special event strategy, policy updates, operational impacts, and opportunities for innovation and improvement. Prepare and deliver reports/ presentations on event operations and outcomes. Represent the City with boards, commissions, City Council, community organizations, stakeholders, and partner agencies.

REQUIREMENTS

Experience: 

 Five (5) years of experience in special events management, hospitality, venue operations, or related experience.

Candidates must have the minimum amount of work experience. Years of experience are based upon a full-time work schedule (2,080 hours per year). The sum of an applicant’s full-time and/or part-time qualifying work experience must meet or exceed the stated minimum qualification. Education will not substitute for the required work experience; however, related unpaid and/or volunteer work experience may be used as qualifying work experience. 

Education: 

 Bachelor's degree in public administration, event management, communications, recreation, or a closely related field

Professional Licensure and/or Certifications: 

Certified Festival and Event Executive is preferred.

Certified Crowd Manager is preferred.

FEMA Emergency Management Institute, IS-15.B: Special Events Contingency Planning IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800: ICS/NIMS Basic Incident Command System Training is preferred.

Additional:

Applicants considered for this job classification must pass the following:

Criminal history review

Post offer/pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.

For a complete list of City of Tempe job descriptions go to:

Job Descriptions | City of Tempe, AZ

This position is  FLSA Exempt which means employees are not eligible for overtime compensation and/or compensatory time.

Employees in this position are represented by the  Tempe Supervisors' Association (TSA)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  The City of Tempe is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation employer.  The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, and United States military veteran status.  Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make a reasonable accommodation(s) during the recruitment & selection process.  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 480-350-8276.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.