Events Manager

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000

Job Title: Museum Event Manager

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer

Status: Full-time 

The Event Manager plans and organizes a robust calendar of member and Patron and community events at the museum. The Farnsworth Art Museum is a major tourist attraction for the region and serves as a year-round meeting place for community members, supporters, businesses and government leaders. Functions include exhibition openings, monthly community free admission days, member and donor tours and receptions (both onsite and off), and an annual Gala/Summer Show fundraiser that attracts over 400 guests. 

Responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively across the museum (Curatorial, Education, Visitor Services, Facilities, and Finance) to oversee a calendar of events and programs from conception to planning to execution that meets the museum’s engagement goals. 
• Deliver exceptional events for Patrons, members and donors, including exhibition openings, Patron and membership events, cultivation receptions, donor dinners and exclusive travel opportunities. 
• Serve as an advisor and stakeholder to other museum staff who are involved in presenting events at the museum including program and education staff, group sales, and others. 
• Help lead the weekly Ops Meeting, communicating effectively with visitor services, security, facilities, and other departments regarding upcoming and ongoing events. 
• Prepare detailed timelines and budgets for each event. Work with the CAO to develop the annual budget for events at the museum. 
• Participate in a community calendar ad hoc group and make recommendations regarding calendaring across the institution.
• Work closely with marketing colleagues to design all printed event materials to ensure accuracy and strong brand presence, develop marketing plans for fundraising events and ensure robust attendance at community events, and contribute ideas to “capture” the excitement of events through photographs and videos to be shared with attendees and others post-event. 
• Serves as the primary manager at events, making on-site adjustment, troubleshooting any issues, and leading staff and vendors to deliver an exceptional experience for guests.
• Foster relationships with various vendors, such as photographers, videographers, performers, bartenders and servers, and caterers. Solicit bids and negotiate contracts for services. Maintain Certificates of Insurance for vendors, as necessary.
• Devise and implement the “run of show”, schedule staff who are working events, brief museum leaders, and take necessary measures to protect artworks in the event and preparation area. Host debrief sessions with staff to ensure continual improvements.
• The position coordinates use of the Museum by a variety of businesses, community groups and others and may facilitate private events and rental spaces. Assist with a variety of projects including decorating the museum campus for the holidays. 
• Stay abreast of industry trends in events and meeting planning and ensures high-quality, sustainable practices for events across the institution. 

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have 3 - 5 years’ experience in planning, managing, and supervising a variety of events. Prior experience at a museum, performing arts organization or historic site are a plus.

• Proven project management skills and the ability to strategically plan and implement events to meet attendance and engagement goals. Exceptional organization skills and experience creating and managing budgets.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to take initiative, work independently, multi-task, adapt to shifting priorities, and be flexible.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 
• Familiarity with event marketing techniques and tools, such as email marketing and social media, a plus. 
• Pose to work with board members, community leaders, government officials and volunteers.
• Superior customer service skills and the ability to solve problems under pressure. 

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with a CRM database such as Altru and project management software such as Asana.

• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Prior team leadership experience.