About the Position

The Active Transportation Alliance produces several events every year, including Transit Equity Day, multiple Bike Month celebrations, a month-long Bike Commuter Challenge, the Movers & Shakers Ball, and one of the nation’s largest biking events, Bike the Drive. Candidates should have an interest in event management, vendor coordination, event production, and logistics. There will be some travel around the city and region, requiring some evenings each month and occasional weekends, including Labor Day weekend.

Position Details

Start Date: early April 2026
Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Based at Active Transportation Alliance’s office in Chicago Loop
Environment: Hybrid work environment

About the Organization

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy organization. Our vision is a Chicago region abundant with walking, bicycling, and public transit options to create healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities.  In partnership with thousands of members, hundreds of volunteers and a wide spectrum of community partners, our dedicated team has been working for several decades to create more opportunities for people to travel safely, actively, and enjoyably.

The Active Transportation Alliance is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy status, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We work to practice the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in all we do.

Active Transportation Alliance is a small organization doing big work and that means team members take on projects outside department or role-specific expectations from time to time; we go all in to support each other and our success. 

About the Role – Key Accountabilities

Event Production

• Lead end-to-end logistics and on-site production for the organization’s portfolio of events ranging from fundraising galas to member and volunteer appreciation events as well as active outdoor events.
• Provide event support, including coordinating venues, vendors, rentals, catering, and staffing.
• Maintain vendor and community partner relationships, including contracts and timelines, to ensure seamless execution.
• Oversee event supply inventory, storage systems, and procurement to support efficient, scalable event operations.
• Coordinate ATA participation in community partner events, including representing the organization at the events as needed.

• Serve as Site Manager for one of the nation’s largest biking events, overseeing festival planning, exhibitor operations, and day-of logistics.
• Lead exhibitor recruitment and outreach; track participation, paperwork, and payments to ensure compliance and readiness.
• Develop and maintain site plans, layouts, pack list materials, and day-of communications.
• Act as a primary point of contact for vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, and deliveries, managing load-in/load-out and troubleshooting in real time.
• Supervise interns, seasonal staff, and festival volunteers; collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure adequate staffing and training.
• Support festival layout planning in collaboration with the Events Team.

Organizational Engagement

• Participate in organization-wide initiatives, events, and implementation of  ATA’s Racial Equity Action Plan.
• Work nimbly across departments in support of a small, high-impact team culture.

The Must-Haves
 

We understand that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. If you believe you have the skills to succeed in this role, regardless of your professional or educational background, we encourage you to apply.

• 2–3+ years of experience in event production, logistics, or special events coordination, preferably large-scale outdoor or athletic events.
• Proven ability to manage complex logistics, multiple timelines, and competing priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a customer-service-oriented approach to partner and vendor relations.
• Experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers.
• Highly collaborative, self-directed, and comfortable working across teams.
• Alignment with ATA’s mission and demonstrated interest in equity, sustainability, and community-centered work.
• Valid driver’s license and comfortable driving in Chicago.

Preferred Experience

• Spanish language proficiency.
• Experience operating forklifts, pallet jacks, or utility vehicles.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work extended hours on your feet outdoors during events.
• Ability to perform standard office work, including computer use and desk work.

Benefits include:

• 15 days paid vacation
• 10 days paid personal/sick time
• 15 paid holidays
• Employer-supported HMO, PPO and HSA health insurance plan options
• Vision and dental insurance
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Short-term disability/medical/family leave
• Pre-tax transit benefit
• 401k retirement plan
• Hybrid work environment with in-office and remote work options, increased in-office hours during the Spring/Summer event season.

No emails or phone calls, please.