Event Manager & Vendor Experience Lead

Santa Rosa, CA  · The SoCo Market

Job Description

About the role

The SoCo Market is Sonoma County's premier outdoor community market — a vibrant hub where local vendors, live music, food, and community come together. We're looking for a seasoned event professional who can manage all pre-production remotely and show up on event day ready to execute with precision and energy.

How this role works

Pre-production planning, vendor communication, logistics coordination, and run-of-show development all happen remotely. You'll come on-site for day-of coordination only — owning the floor from load-in to strike.

Responsibilities

Remote pre-production

Before event day

  • Develop and distribute run-of-show documents and vendor timelines

  • Manage vendor onboarding, space assignments, and confirmations

  • Coordinate with rental partners and live music artists remotely

  • Communicate logistics, policies, and expectations to all 60+ vendor partners

  • Venue walk-throughs and pre-event production planning with founder

  • Anticipate operational needs and build contingency plans

Day-of coordination

On-site only

  • Serve as primary on-site point of contact for all vendors and partners

  • Oversee load-in and load-out for food, retail, and rental vendors

  • Manage live music stage logistics, artist arrivals, and performance flow

  • Execute run-of-show and brief all day-of staff

  • Resolve real-time issues — vendor conflicts, weather, logistics — calmly and decisively

  • Work side by side with the founder from open to strike

What you Bring

  • 3+ years event or project management

  • Live music experience

  • Vendor coordination

  • Run-of-show expertise

  • Remote work discipline

  • Outdoor event ops

  • On-the-spot problem solving

  • Passion for local markets

  • Strong communicator

  • Community-oriented mindset

Compensation

Contract type: Independent Contractor · 1099

Pay structure: Fixed daily rate

Rate range: Scales with event size & production scope

Commitment: Per-event basis

Perks & community benefits

  • Founder access

    Work side by side with the founder on every event

  • Guest tickets

    Complimentary tickets to events

  • Community network

    Exposure to SoCo's largest outdoor market community

  • Portfolio-worthy events

    High-visibility productions to showcase your skills