Job Description
Title: Event Manager
Team: Communications, Marketing & Events
Location: Nairobi, Kenya


About the Role
The Events Manager is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and execution of all Shamiri internal and external events, ensuring that convenings are strategically aligned, professionally delivered, and high impact for partners, staff, funders, and stakeholders. 
  
 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Strategic Ownership of Events
  • Own Shamiri’s full events portfolio, including:
    • External events/webinars, conferences and summits
    • partner and funder convenings
    • government and stakeholder workshops
    • internal retreats, offsites, and staff convenings
  • Translate organizational priorities into an annual and quarterly events plan
  • Define objectives, audiences, and success criteria for each event
  • Ensure events align with communications strategy and organizational narrative
     
• Event Planning & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end event planning, including:
    • timelines and workplans
    • budgets and cost tracking
    • vendor sourcing and management
    • venues, logistics, travel, and hospitality
  • Oversee run-of-show development and execution
  • Anticipate risks and troubleshoot issues proactively
  • Ensure events are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high professional standard
     
• Team Management & Coordination
  • Manage and mentor the Senior Associate – Events & Community Management
  • Delegate tasks clearly and ensure follow-through
  • Coordinate additional event staff, contractors, or volunteers as needed
  • Establish clear workflows, roles, and quality standards within the events team
     
• Creative, Content & Communications Coordination
  • ​​​​​​​Work closely with the Brand & Creative team to ensure event branding, materials, and visuals are on-brand
  • Coordinate with the Multimedia & Content Production Lead to capture event content (photo, video, audio)
  • Support Social Media and Communications teams with event-related content and timelines
  • Ensure messaging before, during, and after events is coordinated and consistent
     
• Leadership & Stakeholder Support
  • ​​​​​​​Support CEO and senior leadership participation in events, including:
    • briefing notes
    • schedules and itineraries
    • coordination with hosts and partners
  • Serve as a key point of contact for external stakeholders related to events
  • Ensure post-event follow-ups, documentation, and commitments are tracked
    ​​​​​​​
• Systems, Budgeting & Reporting
  • ​​​​​​​Develop and manage event budgets and expenditure tracking
  • Maintain event planning tools, templates, and documentation
  • Produce post-event reports summarizing outcomes, learnings, and follow-ups
  • Maintain an organized archive of event materials and records
     
• Ownership of Outputs & Accountability
  • ​​​​​​​Successful delivery of all Shamiri events
  • Event plans, timelines, and budgets
  • Quality and professionalism of execution
  • Management and performance of the events team
  • Post-event documentation and follow-up
  • Alignment between events and organizational priorities

• This role owns event outcomes, not just logistics.

• Strong project and operations management skills
• Proven experience leading complex events
• Excellent organizational discipline and attention to detail
• Ability to manage people, vendors, and multiple timelines
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills
• Calm, solution-oriented approach under pressure
• Professional judgment in external-facing contexts
   

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Event Management, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5–8+ years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder events with full ownership from strategy through execution
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, vendors, contracts, and event production timelines
• Proven experience directly managing staff or contractors
• Track record of delivering high-quality external-facing events involving senior leadership, funders, government officials, or strategic partners
• Strong operational systems experience, including use of project management systems, budgeting tools, and CRM or event registration platforms
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with brand, partnerships, and executive teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of briefing materials and post-event reports
• Experience working in mission-driven or high-growth organizations is preferred