Senior Event Producer

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 TEDs 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 TEDs live events deliver transformative experiences that inspire connect and endure.

Strategic Event Production & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end planning production and delivery of TEDs flagship conferences and related global events from concept through post-event reconciliation.
• Partner with internal creative content and technical teams to translate TEDs 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 TEDs 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 TEDs preferred vendor relationships and build new partnerships aligned with sustainability diversity and innovation priorities.
• Manage vendor performance deliverables and compliance with TEDs 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 TEDs 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 :

• Bachelors degree or diploma in Event Management Production Hospitality or related field or equivalent experience.
• 68 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.

Remote Work :

Yes

Employment Type :

Full-time