The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the fire. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day. Chicago’s brightest digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs are shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what’s possible.

1871 is the hub for technology and entrepreneurship in Chicago. Ranked as the number one university-affiliated incubator in the United States, 1871 is the home of more than 500 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, this 160,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators Techstars Chicago and the Good Food Business Accelerator; impact investing fund Impact Engine; half a dozen area and industry-specific incubators; several emerging tech training schools; and the state's leading technology advocate, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. It provides a second home to many Chicago-based VCs, as well as satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DeVry, and DePaul University. Through cohort programs designed specifically to support women, Latinx and veteran entrepreneurs, speakers from all walks of life and backgrounds, and partnerships with community organizations, 1871 continues to pioneer the most diverse tech community in Chicago.

Come to a place where you can share ideas, take initiative, work hard, grow professionally and, with a little luck, change the world. If that sounds like you, come join us.

1871 is seeking an Events Associate who will support our Events team in scheduling, creating, and executing successful events for our internal and external stakeholders. In 2016, we will host about 1,000 public and private events. No day is ever the same at 1871, so the Events Assistant should be ready and willing to assist with management, administration, and logistics for hundreds of events annually.

As a mission driven environment, we care deeply about the content of our events and their relevance to our members and the technology and business community in Chicago. We are looking for passionate and eager individuals who are looking to jumpstart their career in Events by immersing themselves in the #1 ranked incubator in the United States.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with coordination and scheduling of events such as meetings, conferences, lectures, panel discussions and organized networking. Coordinating logistics for catering and entertainment.
• Ensuring all logistics such as staff coverage and facilities are secured.
• Communicating effectively with the front desk staff, 1871 team and organization leadership to ensure a smooth experience for the team and our guests.
• Preparing and modifying event contracts and handling related paperwork.
• Generating event registration invites for designated events, as necessary.
• Meeting with event organizers to conduct preparatory walk-throughs and tours.
• Assisting with managing on-site production and clean up for events.

The ideal candidate will…

• Love the fact that there is no “typical” day at 1871. With 20,000 people tracking through our space monthly, you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll encounter something new and different every day!
• Thrive in a fast-paced, creative, and iterative environment. We’ve tripled in size in the last two years and are constantly striving to be better! We look to our team to come up with creative, well-thought-out ideas that we can implement quickly.
• Have a “do what it takes” mentality when it comes to the job. We’re a small, lean team that operates the largest incubator in the world. We all do our part, and then some, for the sake of our member and partner experiences.
• Have a passion for the technology and startup space! You’ll have the opportunity to interface directly with our startup companies, sponsors, educational partners, accelerator programs, and more! We want our team to be motivated by the people and environment that surrounds them.

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of special events, corporate events, political campaign, or experiential marketing experience highly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Strong stated interested in the Chicago technology community.
• Excellent communication skills including writing, proof reading skills, and speaking
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone, with high professionalism
• Excellent customer service ethic and high expectations for quality
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, GoogleDocs, and web searches.

Structure

Position reports to the VP of Events and Content Development. Position will work closely with other members of the Events Staff.

1871 offers a competitive comprehensive compensation package that includes Health, Dental, Vision coverage, PTO, student loan contribution, cell phone reimbursement, 401k, access to all of 1871's events and programming opportunities, and more!

1871/CEC is an equal employment opportunity employer with a strong focus on crafting an inclusive and diverse environment. We encourage individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position.