Marketing and Events Manager

Rock Creek Conservancy | Bethesda, MD | Hybrid

Rock Creek Conservancy seeks a creative, operationally savvy, and development-oriented go-getter to grow its community events program. The ideal candidate will lead the creation, promotion, and execution of the experiences that connect people to Rock Creek: from 5K races and bird-watching classes to music showcases and community celebrations. You’ll shape how the world sees the Conservancy and give our supporters the feelings of fulfillment and joy that come from being involved in Rock Creek Park.

You’ll blend creativity with strategy, relationship-building with logistics, and big-picture thinking with hands-on execution. Most of all, you’ll help grow a vibrant, engaged Rock Creek community that protects, restores, and celebrates our unique urban green spaces in a watershed that stretches through Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD.

What you’ll do

As Marketing and Events Manager, you’ll oversee and implement our community events portfolio, manage our corporate outreach, and help grow awareness, participation, and support for our mission. You will specifically be relied upon to: 

Lead unforgettable events (35%)

• Build and manage an annual community events calendar aligned with the Conservancy’s program and development goals.
• Plan, promote, execute, and report out on 2-3 major community events each year in and around Rock Creek Park.
• Collaborate with the Conservancy’s program team and the community to offer park events throughout the year that increase awareness of the Conservancy and appreciation for park resources.  
• Own event logistics from start to finish: timelines, vendors, permits, registration, communications, run-of-show, and on-site coordination, ensuring exceptional standards across all events.

Drive corporate and business partnerships (35%)

• Create and execute an event sponsorship strategy that grows our corporate support for special events and programs.
• Build meaningful relationships with existing and potential corporate partners. 
• Develop sponsorship packages tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of prospective sponsors and partners.
• Collaborate with volunteer program staff to channel corporate interest in employee service opportunities. 

Coordinate related support operations (15%)

• Plan, prepare and manage event budgets and timelines.
• Negotiate and secure rates and contracts with vendors (e.g., event planning, catering, venues, A/V).
• Coordinate event finance and administration with the Operations Team.
• Track and report on fundraising outcomes, community / sponsor engagement, and ROI for events, using our CRM, EveryAction.

Grow our community (15%)

• Develop and implement integrated marketing strategies that grow attendance, sponsorships and donations, and visibility.
• Create engaging digital and print materials from social posts and email campaigns to event signage and invitations.
• Offer pathways for event participants to easily enter the Conservancy’s system for cultivating prospective donors.
• Represent the Conservancy as a warm, professional, and mission-driven ambassador.

What you bring

• 3+ years of experience in marketing, event management, communications, community relations, or a related nonprofit role.
• A passion for parks, conservation, and community, because you care deeply about making nature accessible and welcoming.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills that connect emotion to action.
• Experience with executing an effective event sponsorship campaign, or comparable experience with securing the partnership of individuals and organizations.
• Excellent project, budget, and vendor management abilities, as well as organizational skills that allow you to comfortably handle multiple priorities.
• A people-first mindset—as a team player, you love bringing people together around shared purpose.
• Comfort with social media (FB, IG, X, LI) and basic design tools such as Canva.
• Familiarity with CRMs is a plus.The Conservancy uses EveryAction.
• Prior experience managing 5/10K races, gala fundraising events, and other nonprofit events a plus.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.
• Ability to lift and transport event materials and help with setup/breakdown.
• Access to reliable transportation for local travel.

What you’ll love about working here

Impact you can see. Your work will help restore Rock Creek’s forests, protect wildlife, and expand your neighbors’ access to healthy, life-sustaining experiences in nature.

People who care. You’ll join a warm, collaborative team, as well as thousands of volunteers, supporters, and partners, who believe in the importance of parks in general, and Rock Creek in particular.

Room to grow. You’ll have space to innovate, stretch your skills, and see your ideas come to life.

Flexibility. Hybrid schedule and a workplace culture that values balance and wellbeing.

Belonging. We’re committed to equity, inclusion, and increasing the park access of the diverse communities throughout the DMV.

The details

Reports to: Senior Director of Development and Communications
Team: 18 staff based in the DC metro area
Location: Hybrid – 2 days/week in our Bethesda, MD office is the current expectation; local travel within DC and Montgomery County
Schedule: Full-time, with occasional evenings/weekends
Salary range: $62,000 - 70,000 + benefits (health, dental, vision; 401k with match; paid leave; holidays)