CalMatters seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial Director of Editorial Events to build and lead a strategy that expands our audience, elevates California's most important conversations, and strengthens our organization. The ideal candidate is equal parts creative producer, journalist, audience strategist and general manager. If that's you, you'll create compelling, journalism-driven experiences that bring our reporting to life, convene influential newsmakers and community leaders, and engage Californians in meaningful dialogue about the issues shaping the state. These will become must-attend experiences for Californians interested in politics and policy, how they affect the 39 million people who live here, and the future of the state. You'll identify event formats that attract audiences beyond CalMatters' existing readership while creating opportunities for sponsorship and revenue growth. Key Responsibilities In this role, you'll begin with the events we've already built: The CalMatters Ideas Festival and occasional local convenings in partnership with news organizations statewide. You'll supervise, and work closely with, our Events Manager, and you'll report to our Editor in Chief as part of our editorial leadership team. From there, here's what we expect you'll do: Conceive, launch, and produce pillar events that become defining CalMatters experiences. Develop and test innovative formats that differentiate our events from traditional conferences and panels, perhaps with new storytelling formats, audience participation, and interactive programming. Identify timely issues and recruit influential policymakers, experts, journalists, and community voices. Work closely with newsroom leaders and reporters to ensure editorial excellence while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Bring CalMatters journalism to audiences who may not already engage with our work and would find it valuable. Introduce people to CalMatters and our nonprofit model, working in partnership with our membership team to foster relationships with new donors. Partner with the development team to create, market and execute sponsorship opportunities that deliver value for sponsors and align with our mission and editorial independence. Manage budgets for the overall events business and for individual events. Track audience growth, engagement, revenue, and overall impact.

What We're Looking For:

Significant experience producing high-quality live events, conferences, festivals, or public forums. Strong editorial instincts and a deep understanding of journalism, current events, and civic engagement. Demonstrated ability to create original concepts that attract audiences and generate excitement. Experience working with journalists, public officials, executives, and other high-profile speakers. Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex productions simultaneously. Experience developing sponsorship opportunities or partnering with fundraising, business development, or marketing teams. Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills. Passion for CalMatters' mission of delivering trusted, nonpartisan journalism that helps Californians understand their state.