Sharing a common love of anime and Japanese culture!

SPJA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the unique and deep culture that surrounds Japanese animation. Our roots originated from Cal Animage Alpha, an anime club at UC Berkeley, which co-sponsored the first Anime Expo in 1992, along with its predecessor Anime Con in 1991.

Since then, SPJA has grown exponentially in its endeavors, with Anime Expo becoming the largest anime convention in North America, as well as establishing B2B conference Project Anime, and partnering with World Cosplay Summit to organize its US preliminary. With each unique event we produce, our purpose never strays – we aim to promote, celebrate, and educate the public about Japanese animation, manga, video games, and traditional culture.

What we are looking for: Entertainment Coordinator

Purpose of this role:  

The Entertainment Coordinator is responsible for ensuring seamless guest communication, delivering excellent customer service, and pitching creative ideas for the Entertainment Department. This department oversees areas such as, but not limited to talent acquisition, content discovery, and attendee engagement/experience for SPJA events.

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years relevant work experience.

 

Functions of this role:  The major areas of responsibility include:

 

Planning:

·       Communicate with performers, international and domestic guests, vendors, and other talent to ensure a seamless experience. Keep external parties on track by outlining timelines, due dates, and logistical details

·       Support Entertainment Team and other departments as needed to meet deadlines, ensure smooth communication across talent and performers, and generate new content ideas for SPJA events

·       Ensure streamlined execution of projects by assisting with planning, monitoring, communication, and team management

·       Brainstorms new ideas for SPJA Event activations and guest features that align with SPJA’s mission

·       Able to understand contract drafting and execution. Able to communicate with contracted parties to ensure project requirements are met


Onsite Execution:

  • Communicate with third-party vendors, SPJA staff, and venue management during load-in, show dates, and load-out.
  • Provide excellent customer service to all participants, venues, and vendors.
  • Help manage all staff, volunteers, and aspects of department to ensure alignment with SPJA policies and ethics.


Post-Show:

·   Reconcile invoices for accurate reporting and budgetary guidelines

  • Maintain department manuals and other documentation necessary to produce the next occurrence of the Show


Knowledge and Skills Desired:

  • Bachelor’s degree or 2+ years of event planning experience preferred
  • Experience with project management, especially time management and project execution is strongly desired
  • Possess good problem-solving skills, judgement, and attentionto detail in a high-stress environment
  • Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Excel, and online software programs
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate and articulate directives and direction clearly
  • No commitments to other conventions
  • Able to maintain confidentiality within the organization with a high level of personal ethics
  • Must be able to perform required tasks and manage staff at convention away from SPJA office
  • Respect for anime, Japanese culture and its lifestyle, and familiarity with fandom communities is a plus


Location:  The Entertainment Coordinator will be based in SPJA’s principal office. However, this is a hybrid role which will allow working some days at the office, some from home. This position must also be able to attend off-site meetings, conferences, and events as necessary.

 Physical Demands & Work Environment:

·       The duties of this position are performed indoors in a business/office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud during events and minimal during non-event times.

·       During convention, this individual must have the ability to stand/walk for up to four hours at a time as there is constant walking required during the convention.

·      The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copier, computer printer, etc.

·    The person in this position frequently communicates verbally with coworkers, supervisors and volunteers. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.


 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and requirements of this position.

Benefits:

SPJA offers a competitive benefits package which includes:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts – Health and Dependent Care
  • 401(k) plan with employer matching
  • Flexible work schedule
  • 12 Holidays
  • Sick time off
  • Paid time off 

This position has been filled. Would you like to see our other open positions?