Events & Engagement Associate

Durst Profile

For over 100 years, The Durst Organization has been a family-run business dedicated to the principles of innovation, integrity, community, and sustainability. We develop, build, own, and manage premier office towers and residential buildings that set new standards in environmental responsibility and user efficiency. Our enduring relationships with our tenants and partners are critical to our success and have ensured the longevity of The Durst Organization. Our Mission Statement: We build, own, and operate many of the world’s most innovative and efficient buildings. We create value for our tenants and partners by developing sustainable residential and commercial properties in which people live, work, and thrive.

Overview

We are seeking an Events & Engagement Associate to support the work of our Marketing department, specifically the Events team. The Events team develops and executes unique programming and events for residents and tenants throughout our residential and commercial portfolios, respectively. The Events team routinely collaborates with Residential and Commercial Leasing, Marketing, and Property Management team members to effectively strengthen and enhance landlord/resident/tenant relationships and ensure best-in-class experiences.

The Events & Engagement Associate will be an integral member of the Events team with a wide range of responsibilities spanning ideation, planning, execution, and post-event reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the event lifecycle of assigned events from the planning stages through execution including negotiating vendor agreements, creating requests for proposals, processing invoices, responding to inquiries, and communicating event details to applicable departments and property management teams.
• Support event design and management across residential and commercial portfolios. Serve as the main point of contact at events lead by the Senior Manager.
• Resolve daily challenges and foster a collaborative, problem-solving environment.
• Collaborate with consultants and project leaders to ensure timely approvals and project delivery. This also includes, but is not limited to, scheduling calls/meetings, preparing meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes,  and coordinating quarterly event approvals.
• Monitor compliance with standard operating procedures, updating them regularly and supporting the creation of team SOPs as needed.
• Plan pre-event logistics, on-site execution, and post-event recaps.
• Create, manage, and track Eventbrites, Durst app postings, and calendar invites for residents, tenants, staff, and vendors.
• Capture event photos and videos then upload and tag them in the corporate image database.
• Maintain event mailing lists and databases, deploy event invites as required, and manage RSVPs.
• Collaborate with fellow Marketing team members and other departments to update/ maintain project schedules and create/export dashboard reports.
• Distribute event summaries – including run-of-show – prior to each event and deploy post-event surveys as required.
• Drive continuous improvement by developing ways to optimize/streamline the event planning process, standardize budget tracking, control expenses, leverage event technology, increase engagement, analyze event success, and improve the attendee experience.
• Integrate sustainability into processes, standard operating procedures, and adopted business practices as part of conducting core job responsibilities.
• Serve as a resource, advocate, and catalyst for sustainability at The Durst Organization. Seek to empower colleagues, consultants, residents, and tenants to prioritize and actively engage in environmental stewardship.
• Additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event planning and management. Experience within hospitality, real estate, or related areas with high touch customer service demonstrating a strong foundation in customer service skills, preferred.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and planning skills.
• Proven experience in managing and developing teams (vendors and on-site support).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, taking initiative in assignments.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills for managing relationships with clients, staff, and vendors.
• Understand the meeting planning process and management of the customer experience.
• Open to working a flexible schedule with evenings and occasional weekends, as events will often require.
• Ability to travel among properties (NYC area).
• Ability to lead and take direction, think creatively, and proactively suggest solutions.
• Excellent v