Careers

Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative Tournament Circuit Manager

The Richmond Forum is America’s largest nonprofit speaker series and a deeply cherished Richmond institution. Our mission is to present powerful voices so Richmond can learn and to empower local voices so Richmond can lead. We believe that by elevating public discourse throughout the Richmond region, we can make our community a better place for all its residents and a model for the nation.

Since 2018, the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative (RFSDI) has fostered competitive speech and debate programs in local public middle and high schools. Our goal is to produce the next generation of Richmond leaders who can speak with power and confidence and civilly articulate and debate points of view. The Initiative has grown to support teams in nearly 50 schools, and its success has earned us the selection to host the 2026 National Speech and Debate Tournament in Richmond.

This position plays the key role of managing the RFSDI Tournament Circuit, which has tripled in size over the past few years.

Key Responsibilities

The RFSDI Tournament Circuit Manager will:

• Schedule, implement, and execute tournaments for RFSDI
• Train coaches and volunteers for specific roles of the tournament – tab room, hospitality, wayfinders, runners, etc.
• Understand rule differences between Virginia High School League (VHSL), Catholic Forensics League (CFL), National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), Reagan Debate Series, & other leagues as necessary.
• Expand the tournament circuit to include other speaking competitions (ex. Delta Sigma Theta oratorical competition, NAACP, middle school tournaments, Optimist Club, etc.)
• Continuously monitor other leagues and tournament circuits for the latest trends.
• Maintain and update the tournament circuit manual as needed, but no less than annually.
• Procure and prepare all supplies, materials, and meals for tournaments.
• Serve as the official contact for RFSDI tournaments on Tabroom.com.
• Support Richmond Forum student programs on event nights.

Work Environment

The RFSDI Tournament Circuit Manager is a key member of a small, highly effective team that has created an innovative, one-of-a-kind initiative supporting public middle and high school speech and debate teams in the Richmond Region. The Richmond Forum is a small office environment that is fast-paced, collaborative, and efficient.

The RFSDI Tournament Manager is required to work most Saturdays during the public school district school year, which includes Richmond Forum program days on five select Saturdays each year. The work week primarily occurs in our office in Shockoe Bottom, with flexible arrangements available.

Qualifications

• Experience organizing and/or participating in speech and debate tournaments, required.
• Ability to manage and support a range of volunteer and paid staff.
• Event management experience, preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to resolve conflicts in a satisfactory manner for all parties.
• Knowledge of Tabroom.com.
• Motivation to continually improve the tournament experience.

Compensation and Benefits

This position will be an up to 30 hours/week position with no health or retirement benefits. The salary range is $35-40,000 annually.

Application Process

Provide a cover letter highlighting relevant experience and skills, resumé, and two professional reference contacts (to be contacted in the later rounds of interviews) to: jobs@richmondforum.org.

The position has a preferred start date of 8/1/25. Application process open until filled.