Event Planner

Full Time Exempt Employee

Location: San Francisco (Hybrid)

About Make It Mariko

Make It Mariko is an award-winning creative events agency based in San Francisco, proudly led by women of color. We specialize in crafting intentional, high-impact experiences that uplift, inspire, and connect communities. Since 2015, we’ve been redefining what’s possible in the events industry — challenging the status quo by centering diverse voices, creating inclusive spaces, and producing unforgettable moments of culture, celebration, and change.

From weddings to festivals, summits to brand activations, we produce experiences that leave a lasting impact — and we’re growing.

🔗 Learn more about our values & story

About the Role

We’re hiring a Full-Time Event Planner to join our team and take the lead on multiple client events and in-house produced projects. This is a client-facing, logistics-heavy role with opportunities to shine creatively in design and production. 

You’ll manage a variety of events — from VIP Venture Capital Summits and community festivals (like UNDISCOVERED SF & MINTED SF), to non-traditional weddings through our sister company Weddings In Color.

This role is ideal for:
  • Freelancers ready for stability
  • Former Admins/EAs with elite organization skills
  • Experienced event planners who want deeper purpose and community

📍 Breakdown: 80% logistics/vendor/project management · 20% creative/design/curation

Women of color and people from historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Duties include but are not limited to:

Project & Client Management
  • Serve as lead planner on assigned projects and events
  • Create project timelines, track deliverables, and manage communications using Google GSuite/ClickUp
  • Directly manage client communications and meetings
  • Prepare event agendas, run-of-show documents, and client updates
  • Manage event budgets, layouts, and experience design
  • Day of Timeline & Run of Show creation
  • Logistics Coordination (Registration, Travel, Sponsors as needed per each event)

Apps used: Google GSuite (Gmail, Meet, Drive, Calendar, Slides, Sheets, Docs, Chat/Spaces), Clickup, Prismm, Zoom

Event Logistics & Vendor Coordination
  • Source and manage venues
  • Source venues, coordinate vendors, and negotiate contracts. Sample vendors include but are not limited to: 
    • Catering & Bar
    • A/V, Lighting, Stage
    • Rentals, Decor, and Lookbook creation
    • Entertainment, Activities, and more
  • Review contracts and manage vendor scope of work
  • Oversee on-site event production, vendor load-in/out, and staff coordination
  • Oversee day-of execution and vendor load-in/out

Wedding Planning (via Weddings In Color)
  • Plan beautiful, non-traditional weddings with Bay Area couples
  • Coordinate vendors & manage design lookbooks
  • Lead planning meetings with couples, align on vision, and build timelines
  • Manage event budgets, layouts, and experience design 
  • Provide expert day-of coordination

Creative Direction
  • Create beautiful, compelling lookbooks and slide decks to design and plan client events
  • Partner with our design team to build branded event assets, signage, and lookbooks
  • Write compelling copy for guest communications and event materials

General Expectations
  • Attend regular team meetings and check ins as needed per project
  • Use Clickup to track weekly tasks and hours
  • Keep event materials (spreadsheets & decks) updated regularly
  • Collaborate across the team to improve team processes, efficiency, and overall happiness
  • Build strong relationships with industry professionals, influencers, performers, and community members
  • Respond to messages within 24-48 hours and escalate as needed
  • Professionally represent Make It Mariko & Weddings In Color at all events

Why you might be excited about Make It Mariko:
  • You thrive in logistics, details, and project management and looking for a company with a vision that aligns with your values. 
  • In 2025 we’re working on BIG, high impact projects, like growing our new studio at 447 Minna and launching MINTED SF
  • You will be constantly surrounded by and introduced to amazingly talented and inspiring creatives and artists. 
  • You will get invited to a lot of awesome industry parties, events, happy hours, and karaoke of course 🙂 These events are the best way to build your network in this industry.

Why you might *not* be excited about us:
  • We operate like a lean, mean startup. Everyone pitches in and helps as needed. No one is too good to clean up garbage or carry barricades, even our CEO.
  • The work moves fast and changes happen frequently. If you don’t manage change well, this is not the company for you.
  • We have very high design standards. There will most likely be a lot of redlines and edits at first. It’s not personal.
  • We like working in person, and we’re San Francisco based (and proud!). 
  • We often deal with complex challenges and ambiguous goals. The pace changes often, clients often don’t know what they want, and they pay us to figure that out for them.

Additional Details & How to Apply

Location

We will co-work together at least 2 times per week (or more depending on need) from our San Francisco studio, which is currently located at 447 Minna Street in SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. We are committed to building community in the cultural district with our events, and are looking for someone who feels equally excited about this work. All other work can be done remotely. 

Hours

Full Time Exempt position (40 hours per week)

Compensation

Budgeted Salary: $70-85K depending on experience + sales referral bonuses

Employee Benefits:
  • Stipends for Healthcare and Cell phone 
  • Annual company trip
  • Annual company Anniversary party
  • Professional Development opportunities

Requirements
  • Ability to work from our San Francisco Studio at least 2 times a week, or more depending on need
  • Must be proficient with Google GSuite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, & Slides)
  • Must have access to a car.

Timeline
  • Application Deadline: Friday August 1, 2025
  • Interviews: Week of August 4-15, 2025
  • First day of work: Ideally week of September 2, 2025 but flexible

What we’re looking for:
  • At least 3-4 years professional experience working directly in Project Management, Events, Marketing, and/or Business Development.
  • Must have experience working directly with Clients in the past, and can lead with a mix of command, authority, and empathy.
  • Highly proactive, organized, and deadline-driven
  • Emotionally intelligent with strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and attuned to people’s needs
  • Skilled problem solver with a resourceful, solution-oriented mindset
  • Growth mindset with willingness to learn and scale
  • Confident writer with strong creative and presentation skills (we use the Oxford comma here)
  • Culturally competent, especially around language related to POC and marginalized communities
  • Able to work remotely and attend in-person events/meetings in San Francisco
  • Bonus: Experience with artists, social justice orgs, or nonprofits

How To Apply:

Please submit your application HERE. Your application should include the following:

  • A short 1-2 minute video telling us why you want to work with us. This is not expected to be a professional edited video (unless you want to). Using your cell phone is acceptable.
  • A complete application answering each question
    • Your relevant experience
    • What apps you’re familiar with
  • A sample Lookbook that accurately reflects your design style.
  • Resume (PDFs only)

Thank you for your interest!

Ready to apply?
apply here

*Pro Tips*

  • Save your work in another doc to ensure you don’t lose your work before submitting.
  • If you have issues with the form application, email us at hello@makeitmariko.com. 
  • NO CALLS. Questions are encouraged during the interview process.
  • Please follow directions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • We can spot a Chat GPT cover letter within seconds. We will spend just as much time reviewing your application as you spend writing it. So please make sure to personalize.

Thank you for your interest!

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