POSTED: 27th of July, 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME, ROTTERDAM (with regular international travel)
MISSION TO METRICS
The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit that develops and scales solutions to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Through our 30 Cities Program, we partner with local governments, organizations, and communities to scale the organization’s proven Interceptor™ solutions across 30 key cities in Asia and the Americas, aiming to eliminate up to one-third of all plastic flowing from the world’s rivers into the ocean before the end of the decade. As our global footprint grows, so does the need for credible, impactful, and well-executed events that demonstrate progress, strengthen partnerships, and engage funders.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Events Coordinator will plan, organize, and execute international, multi-stakeholder events to activate and highlight the organization’s impact worldwide. These events range from large owned events with global attendance, high-profile diplomatic moments, and media field visits to operational milestone announcements, community engagements, and funding events.
You will be responsible for taking events from concept to execution—managing logistics, stakeholder coordination, on-the-ground production, and crossteam alignment to ensure that each event tells a compelling, evidence-based story of impact. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to perform under pressure in complex, international environments.
This is not a traditional office-based events role. The Events Coordinator will need to travel frequently (6-8x/year) to event locations across Asia, the Americas, and other regions where The Ocean Cleanup operates. Success in this role requires a high degree of flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to work across time zones, manage changing priorities, and respond quickly to operational realities in dynamic international environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Event Planning & Coordination
- Support the end-to-end planning of international events, from early concept development through delivery and post-event follow-up.
- Translate event objectives, audiences, and messaging into detailed logistical plans, timelines, and run-of-show documents.
- Support the development of event KPIs based on the organizational strategy, event objectives, and internal stakeholder input.
- Coordinate multi-format programs, including briefings, panels, site visits, receptions, and closed-door stakeholder meetings.
- Maintain master planning documents, checklists, timelines, and decision logs across parallel workstreams.
- Build and manage event budgets, ensuring responsible cost tracking and vendor management.
- Identify and engage external thought leaders as compelling speakers who bring fresh perspectives and credibility to events.
- Be prepared to adapt plans and logistics in response to evolving operational, stakeholder, or environmental circumstances across multiple international locations.
2. Logistics & Operations
- Travel regularly to event locations worldwide to oversee preparations, coordinate local stakeholders, and ensure successful on-site execution.
- Coordinate venues, suppliers, travel, transport, catering, AV, staging, security, and on-site production.
- Support permitting, insurance, safety planning, and risk mitigation in coordination with Operations and Legal teams.
- Manage guest logistics, including accreditation, registration flows, seating, VIP handling, and accessibility considerations.
- Be prepared to adapt plans and logistics in response to evolving operational, stakeholder, or environmental circumstances across multiple international locations.
- Coordinate site visits (e.g., river interceptors, coastal sweep sites), ensuring operational teams are aligned and prepared.
- Work closely with content teams to secure photography, video, interviews, and technical demonstrations.
3. Stakeholder & Partner Coordination
- Liaise with internal teams to ensure alignment and readiness, and ensure all messaging is accurate, evidence-based, and aligned with program objectives.
- Support coordination with external stakeholders, including:
- Government offices and local authorities
- Media and press representatives
- Corporate partners and philanthropic donors
- Event co-hosts, venues, and local partners
- Track invitations, RSVPs, attendance, and stakeholder engagement throughout the planning process.
4. Content & Program Support
- Prepare event programs, agendas, speaker line-ups, and briefing materials, and ensure all internal stakeholders are briefed on the details of the event.
- Coordinate input, reviews, and approvals for event-related content (e.g. slides, signage, credentials, printed materials).
- Work with internal teams to ensure content, visuals, and storytelling elements are ready and aligned.
- Ensure all event assets—run sheets, speeches, talking points, signage, media packs—reflect key messages and brand guidelines.
5. On-Site Execution
- Serve as the lead on-the-ground coordinator for international events, often working outside standard business hours to work across different time zones and operational schedules during events.
- Be hands-on during events to manage registration, speakers, media, logistics, and troubleshooting.
- Act as a central point of coordination on the day, ensuring smooth transitions and adherence to the run of show.
- Support senior leadership, speakers, media, and VIPs during the event.
6. Post-Event Follow-Up
- Prepare post-event reporting, debriefs, lessons learned, and recommendations for future events.
- Help track outcomes and metrics (media coverage, partner engagement, fundraising leads).
- Coordinate delivery of outputs such as photos, videos, media packs, and thank-you communications.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
Required
- 3–5 years of experience in (international) event coordination, ideally within communications, public affairs, nonprofits, or international organizations.
- Proven experience supporting complex, multi-stakeholder events with senior-level participants.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-culturally and coordinate with government entities, local authorities, and funders/partners.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple timelines under pressure.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills; other languages are a plus.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis (approximately ~30-40%) and work irregular hours during event periods.
Flexibility to work across time zones and outside traditional office hours when required to support international events and stakeholders.
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Preferred
- Experience with/at:
- Event management agency
- Government or diplomatic events
- Media-facing events or press briefings
- Fundraising or donor engagement events
- Sustainability, climate, or environmental organizations
- Familiarity with event registration tools, project management software, or CRM systems.
- Familiarity with storytelling, media production, or impact-driven communication.
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Organizationally excellent and able to structure complex events with multiple moving parts.
- Strong work ethic & commitment – demonstrates reliability, accountability, and dedication to the mission.
- Culturally aware and skilled at navigating diverse stakeholders and environments.
- Highly adaptable and comfortable working in dynamic environments where plans may shift quickly.
- Resourceful problem-solver who remains calm and effective when managing unexpected challenges on the ground.
- A team player with a hands-on approach and a can-do attitude.
- Detail-oriented with strong communication skills and a high standard of precision.
WHAT WE OFFER
- The opportunity to work on high-profile events around the world and experience firsthand the impact of The Ocean Cleanup's mission across diverse countries and cultures.
- A dynamic, international work environment based in Rotterdam.
- Hands-on involvement in high-profile events with global visibility and room for creativity.
- A diverse, passionate, and collaborative team.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
- Starting date: As soon as possible
- Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Conducting a pre-employment check may be part of this recruitment process.
- At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness each individual brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.
