Manager, Events & Partnerships

Who are we? 

About LabCentral

Founded in the heart of Kendall Square in 2013, LabCentral is a network of shared laboratory spaces and scientific communities that serve as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups. We deliver first-class facility and operational support, skilled laboratory personnel, and an expansive events program designed to add value to the community and promote connectivity‒ as well as the other critical services and support that early-stage companies need to begin start-up operations.   

What is this role?  

Are you passionate about making a big impact by connecting people through compelling events and programming? Have you enjoyed leading a team and serving as a mentor? Do you love the work of events as much as the events themselves? 

LabCentral is hiring a Manager of Events & Partnerships, reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Strategy. You will own our largest strategic events, manage a team of two, and drive the content calendar that shapes what we bring to residents, sponsors, and partners across a program of 300+ events and engagements a year. 

You will be a strong fit for this role if you have 5 or more years of experience planning and executing events and programming, including 3 or more years managing full-time team members, and a track record of building relationships with clients and stakeholders. Bonus points if you are the kind of person who finds yourself loving the nitty gritty details of planning and straightening out chairs no matter where you are. 

This is a working manager's role. You will plan and deliver events yourself while leading the team that carries our full calendar. 

What will I do?  

Responsibilities: 

Your day-to-day is focused on making sure our events and programming are well planned, well executed, and genuinely valuable to residents and sponsors, while leading the team that delivers them. Every day is different, so flexibility and responsiveness are key. 

• Own LabCentral's major strategic events end to end, roughly three to six per year, from concept through logistics, execution, and follow-through 
• Manage and support two direct reports on the events team 
• Drive performance and manage growth and development across your team 
• Own the budget for events and programming, with particular accountability for our strategic events 
• Work with the Director and partners across the organization to build an annual content calendar, then drive it by curating ideas and needs from across our community into opportunities sponsors and partners can bring to life 
• Collaborate with the Partnerships, Startup Success, and Science Strategy teams to shape engagements that deliver real value for residents and sponsors 
• Help sponsors and partners make full use of their engagement opportunities 
• Advance the systems and processes behind our events and programming so the function keeps getting better as engagement rises 
• Coordinate the people, resources, and vendors each event needs, drawing on the full team rather than carrying every event alone 
• Oversee physical setups and teardowns of event spaces, A/V systems, banquet event orders, and furniture across a heavy annual calendar, and run virtual events when programming calls for them 
• Own the events database and keep event information and attendee tracking clean 
• Guide the team's regular resident and sponsor communications, from email newsletters to digital signage, and jump in when needed 
• Bring unexpected care and clear expectation setting to how we host partners, sponsors, and residents 
• Take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and our residents 

What will I do? 

Desired qualifications and technical skills: 

• 5 or more years of experience planning and executing events and programming, including 3 or more years managing full-time team members 
• Track record of developing direct reports and guiding a team to consistent high standards through busy events seasons 
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional service and build lasting relationships with clients, sponsors, vendors, and external partners 
• Evidence of growing responsibilities within large teams or across organizations 
• Comfort owning a budget, making sound tradeoffs against it, and evolving it to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders 
• Comfort using AI tools in your everyday work and a sense of where they can raise the whole team's impact without sacrificing human touch and service 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint, along with Zoom and Microsoft Teams 
• Familiarity with event management platforms such as Swoogo and CRM systems such as HubSpot 
• An eye for visual design, with Canva, Adobe Suite, or InDesign familiarity preferred 

Desired competencies and behaviors:   

• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with a strong sense of urgency. 
• Results-oriented, motivated with high attention to detail, time management, prioritization, problem solving and organizational skills.  
• Good professional judgment and decision-making skills.  
• Works professionally, ethically and with integrity.  
• Curiosity to learn the LabCentral community, to continue to build skills and grow, and to learn our systems and strategies related to event programming and partnerships. Enjoy being part of and leading a team while being capable of working independently.  

Work environment:   

• Fully onsite during regular business hours, with flexibility to work evenings and, rarely, weekends around the events calendarAbility to travel locally between LabCentral sites in Cambridge and Boston 
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods, move around an office and lab environment, and communicate information and ideas so others will understand 
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds 

What do we offer?   

Benefits:  

• Fully Covered Medical and Dental Premiums: We have you and your dependents covered, including deductible costs.   
• Long and Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance: Life can be unexpected; we’ve got your back.  
• Flexible Vacation: Enjoy the flexibility to take the time you need.   
• Three Months Fully Paid Parental Leave: We’ll help support you during life's important moments.  
• 401K Match Up to 6% with Immediate Vestment: Know your future is secure with our 401K match.  
• Transportation Reimbursements: We'll cover commuting costs for a parking pass, MBTA, or bike maintenance so you can get to work hassle-free.  
• Health & Wellness: Relax and enjoy reimbursements for fitness, yoga, massage therapy, and other holistic health practices.  
• Technology Stipend: To ensure you stay connected, we offer a monthly cell phone stipend as well as yearly reimbursements for cell phone repairs.  
• Professional Growth: We offer a stipend for continuing education and training to invest in your career growth, and we help ease the burden of student loans by providing reimbursement.  
• Fantastic Work Environment: Be inspired by colleagues and residents, and work in vibrant spaces that are stocked with a variety of snacks. Plus, we offer in-house programming on thought-provoking and diverse topics!  

Compensation  

Our compensation philosophy is intentional and researched to align with average market salaries; comprehensive, generous benefits to support overall well-being; and parity with our existing and future team members. Below details the value of what our compensation package may look like, but specific details pertaining to an individual will vary.     

Salary range: $83k-108k along with the potential to earn a bonus of 12% based on company performance. 

Approximate monetary value of benefits (based off an individual – dependents increase value): $24,000.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

LabCentral is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the city around us. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation, please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.