Senior Event Producer

Company Description

TED is a global nonprofit dedicated to spreading ideas that matter — through talks, conferences, and experiences that connect and inspire. Our events bring together diverse voices to share ideas that shape the future.

TED is an equal opportunity employer and contractor engager committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process.

Job Description

TED is seeking a Senior Producer, Event Production to join our Event Operations team and help bring to life world-class conference experiences that spark curiosity, foster human connection, and drive global impact.

This role calls for a strategic, detail-oriented producer with deep expertise in live event production, vendor management, and spatial design — someone who thrives at the intersection of logistics and imagination.

As a Senior Producer, you will lead the sourcing, contracting, and execution of key event elements, including furnishings, décor, custom builds, temporary structures, and technical services. You will collaborate across creative, production, and operations teams to translate bold ideas into seamless, on-the-ground experiences that embody TED’s commitment to excellence, accessibility, sustainability, and innovation.

This is a permanent full-time role based in San Diego, CA. Salary range for the role is equivalent to $40 - 50 /hour.

Core Responsibilities

The Senior Producer acts as a strategic lead across multiple workstreams; balancing creative vision, operational excellence, and fiscal accountability to ensure TED’s live events deliver transformative experiences that inspire, connect, and endure.

Strategic Event Production & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end planning, production, and delivery of TED’s flagship conferences and related global events, from concept through post-event reconciliation.
• Partner with internal creative, content, and technical teams to translate TED’s vision into actionable production strategies that balance creativity, sustainability, and feasibility.
• Oversee all physical and experiential environments, including staging, scenic, décor, temporary structures, furnishings, signage, audience seating, and outdoor activations.
• Develop and manage detailed production timelines, milestone schedules, and workback plans in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Lead on-site operations, including build management, technical integration, and load-in/load-out, ensuring safety, accessibility, and compliance with local and federal regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned event elements, providing clear communication and direction to vendors, partners, and internal teams.

Creative & Technical Integration

• Work closely with TED’s creative and content teams to ensure all spatial, visual, and technical elements align with event storytelling and audience experience goals.
• Provide input on space design, audience flow, lighting, and scenic concepts to ensure cohesion between creative intent and operational execution.
• Collaborate with designers and fabricators to review technical drawings, renderings, and materials for quality, safety, and sustainability.
• Identify innovative production approaches and technologies that enhance experience while optimizing cost, efficiency, and environmental impact.

Vendor Strategy & Contracting

• Develop RFPs, source and evaluate vendors, and lead contract negotiations covering furnishings, scenic builds, technical services, signage, and logistics.
• Define scopes of work, deliverables, and service-level expectations; manage change orders and contract amendments as needed.
• Maintain TED’s preferred vendor relationships and build new partnerships aligned with sustainability, diversity, and innovation priorities.
• Manage vendor performance, deliverables, and compliance with TED’s operational and ethical standards.

Financial Stewardship & Budget Management

• Own and manage detailed production budgets, tracking committed spend, forecasting variances, and identifying savings opportunities across multiple event workstreams.
• Prepare budget presentations, financial summaries, and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Balance creative ambition with fiscal responsibility, ensuring TED achieves maximum impact within budgetary parameters while upholding design and experience standards.
• Proactively identify, negotiate, and secure in-kind and value-in-trade partnerships that offset production costs, enhance creative execution, or advance sustainability goals.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to evaluate, document, and track in-kind contributions as part of overall budget performance and reporting.
• Contribute to multi-year cost planning, vendor rate benchmarking, and procurement strategy for TED’s evolving global event portfolio.

Collaboration, Documentation & Process Improvement

• Champion cross-departmental communication and collaboration, acting as a bridge between creative, production, partnerships, and event operations teams.
• Establish and refine documentation standards, production templates, and shared workflows to improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate archives of plans, vendor data, and final layouts for future reference and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to team learning, debriefs, and post-event reviews to identify successes and areas for optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Event Management, Production, Hospitality, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 6–8 years of large-scale event production experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proven success managing multi-million-dollar budgets and multiple vendors simultaneously.
• Strong project management skills and ability to balance multiple priorities in dynamic environments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with a team-first mindset.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Airtable, and project management tools.
• Experience with CAD, Vectorworks, or floor-planning software preferred.
• Familiarity with sustainable event practices, universal design, and accessible event planning principles.

Additional Information

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to San Diego, California.
• This position requires regular on-site presence at event venues and offices.