Sr. Manager - Events & Experiences at EDENS – Washington, District of Columbia

Description

Established in 1966, EDENS’ purpose is to enrich community through human engagement. We are the owner, developer, and steward of a nationally leading portfolio of more than 100 open‑air retail and mixed‑use places in high‑growth markets across the country. We design our places to achieve 3.5 weekly visits and 5 hours of dwell time, reaching more than 15 million people daily.

The Senior Manager, Events and Experiences is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the cultural, culinary, and community‑driven recurring programming and activations across Union Market District. This role drives district‑wide engagement, strengthens retailer and partner relationships, and delivers revenue‑generating experiences that reinforce the Union Market District brand.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Director of Events & Experiences, the Senior Manager works cross‑functionally with Marketing, Retail Operations, Leasing, and external partners to develop a cohesive annual programming strategy, oversee execution, and ensure best‑in‑class experiences for visitors, tenants, and the broader community.

This position requires a proactive, highly organized, detail‑oriented self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑volume events environment. The Senior Manager oversees a portfolio of 500+ events and activations annually across the Union Market District, requiring exceptional operational oversight, prioritization, and cross‑team coordination. The ideal candidate brings creativity, strong project management skills, and a collaborative, positive, team‑oriented approach. This role is based in Washington, DC.

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Lead the long‑term recurring programming strategy for Union Market District, ensuring alignment with district goals, brand identity, and community needs.
• Conceptualize and develop innovative, culturally relevant, and revenue‑driving programs that elevate the district’s profile and deepen community engagement.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of events and activations—from ideation and planning to execution and post‑event analysis—ensuring high‑quality, scalable, and repeatable experiences.
• Maintain and manage a comprehensive 12‑month programming calendar with clear milestones, KPIs, and performance reporting.
• Oversee a high‑volume annual programming portfolio of 500+ events and activations, ensuring operational excellence and consistent alignment with district goals.

Creative Direction & Marketing Integration

• Collaborate with Marketing to ensure all confirmed programming and events are promoted across the Union Market District website, social media, and email newsletters, contributing creative insight and direction to support cohesive storytelling.
• Guide the development of marketing assets, PR initiatives, social media campaigns, and district‑wide storytelling that amplify program visibility and impact.
• Ensure all programming reinforces the Union Market District’s brand values, cultural identity, and community‑centric mission.

Vendor, Partner & Stakeholder Management

• Build and steward high‑value relationships with retailers, cultural institutions, embassies, nonprofit partners, and creative collaborators.
• Partner with the Senior Director on sponsorship strategy, including prospecting, pitching, and cultivating long‑term sponsor relationships that support and underwrite programming.
• Oversee vendor and partner management, contracting, scheduling, and operational coordination with internal teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Manage event budgets, financial performance, and resource allocation across the programming portfolio.

Programming Leadership

• Lead programming strategy and execution for Union Market District, including:
• Cooking classes and culinary workshops
• Cultural and artistic activations
• Dance, music, film, sports, and language programs
• Embassy partnerships and diplomatic activations
• Strategic collaborations with educational and cultural institutions
• Union Market Drive‑In
• Outdoor fitness and wellness activations
• Live music and community programming
• Retail and tenant collaborations
• Lead inquiry management, contracting, scheduling, and promotional planning for La Cosecha’s venue spaces.
• Provide on‑site leadership and operational oversight for all La Cosecha events, ensuring exceptional guest and partner experiences.
• Manage key programmatic assets inside La Cosecha, including the Galeria, Balcón, Media Lab, DJ Booth, and other spaces.
• Present recurring updates to EDENS internal teams and leadership on event schedules, recaps, and goals.

EDENS Marquee Events

• Support the planning and execution of EDENS’ marquee events, including district‑wide festivals, seasonal celebrations, and signature cultural moments.
• Lead vendor and partner coordination, ensuring alignment with EDENS’ brand standards and event objectives.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Design on promotional strategy, audience development, and communications.
• Provide operational leadership, cross‑team coordination, and on‑site management to ensure flawless execution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in events and/or marketing activations, with a clear understanding of how to develop and execute an activation from start to finish.
• Passion for commercial real estate and placemaking.
• Strong focus on community, customer, and partner experience; comfortable being highly visible and engaged with partners daily; committed to being a positive, solutions‑oriented advocate.
• Availability to work nights and weekends as required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• A well‑developed team‑oriented business perspective, bringing a positive, collaborative attitude to the team each day.
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with a resourceful, solutions‑driven mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Copilot, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.

The salary range for this position is $85,000-$90,000 and is bonus eligible. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vision Discount Programs
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Company Paid Holidays
• FMLA
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Family Leave Policy
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Emergency Travel Assistance
• Entertainment Discounts
• Dress for your Day
• Tenure Recognition, including a paid sabbatical

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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