Community Events and Outreach Manager - National Western Center

The National Western Center (NWC) is a reimagined 250-acre campus in Denver, Colorado with a vision to be the global destination for food and agricultural discovery. It is the new home of the National Western Stock Show and Colorado State University’s Spur campus. But the National Western Center isn’t just new buildings, it’s a destination unto itself. It’s a mission-oriented place that will be lively and active all year round — with new events and experiences around every corner.

The opportunity:

The National Western Center is seeking a dynamic professional to implement, support, and guide its community engagement activities and strategies.  As the Community Events and Outreach Manager (CEOM), you will be critical in designing and facilitating National Western Center’s community programs and activities that serve and engage residents of the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea (GES) neighborhoods; collaborate with existing nonprofit agencies dedicated to serving the residents of the area; and work closely with the CEO of the National Western Center Authority and his staff to help ensure that the new development and ongoing operations of the public assets at the campus have a lasting positive community benefit.

This is a multifaceted job with a broad spectrum of opportunities for professional development. You’ll join a small, nimble, collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial team as we accelerate the growth of a new events hub and innovation campus in Denver, Colorado.

What you will do:

I. We're seeking someone passionate about community engagement, event planning, and implementation to help us grow and strengthen our relationships in GES communities.

The CEOM will play a crucial role in collaborating closely with other community organizations to support community interests and needs. They will facilitate NWCA's role as a responsible and responsive neighbor to the GES community and its activities. Additionally, they will work with other city and community organizations and agencies to design, implement, and support events and activities that are inclusive of all GES neighborhoods and further the cultural and historical richness of the area. Your experience as a community engagement specialist will help to expand our presence in the GES community in meaningful ways that support its efforts to grow as a healthy and vibrant community.

Share your story about your successes and what you have learned about working in communities where change is rapid and, oftentimes, bumpy.

II. We are looking for someone with great experience and expertise in meeting planning to help us enhance our current programs, events, and activities.

The NWCA has established several ongoing community engagement committees that will require the CEOM to work collaboratively with NWCA staff to ensure ongoing success with each of them. They include the Community Advisory Committee, the Community Benefits Committee, the Community Investment Fund, and other NWCA project meetings. We are seeking an individual who has successfully collaborated within a fast-paced organization to ensure that internal and external communication between all stakeholders is complete, shared, and responsive.

Tell us your story about how you know how to share the responsibility of being a good team player and translate that into making internal activities and programs run smoothly.

III. Working closely with the NWCA staff and community partners, the CEOM will have the exciting opportunity to create and organize innovative on-campus events aimed at involving GES residents and partners through dynamic programming.

The NWC is expanding – new facilities, including the Livestock Center, and the Equestrian Center and Hotel, will bring new visitors to our campus. And more are in the planning. The CEOM will work closely with NWCA staff, community partners, and community representatives to expand the number of community events that engage our GES neighbors and their families. We will rely on the CEOM experience with event planning to bring even more community-wide activities to the NWC campus as we continue to grow. The CEOM will work with other city and community organizations and agencies to design, implement, and support events and activities that are inclusive of all Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea neighborhoods and further the cultural and historical richness of the area.

We are looking for a creative, innovative, and strong-follow-through event planner – tell us why you meet this requirement by describing your experiences and expertise.

IV. Working with NWCA staff and within our initiatives, the CEOM will advocate for and help implement community benefits and community engagement in everything we do, from community events, to our procurements, to our projects, and everything in between.

The benefits for and the impact to community is a lens through which we make every decision.  The CEOM will help to guide our internal decision-making processes and ensure that everything we do in making progress to benefit community and create positive lasting impact in and around the campus in the GES Communities.  Tell us about:

• Your experiences within urban communities facing rapid paced growth and how organizations like the NWC can be meaningful community partners.
• Your demonstrated leadership in community engagement strategies, with a preference for professional experience in direct community relationship development.
• Your understanding and/or lived experiences of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion issues at the intersection of public projects, workplace dynamics, multi-cultural community engagement, and/or education.

What you will bring along:

• 3 to 5 years of relevant leadership experience in community engagement, event planning, program design and implementation, and meeting coordination
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; or proven relevant experience in the field
• Spanish language proficiency a plus 
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and community engagement skills
• Available to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

This job may be a great fit if:

• You are a skilled problem solver who takes the initiative, can communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders, and can be counted on to get the job done.
• You work well as part of a team and value collaboration, respect, competency, and integrity as part of your EQ and interpersonal skills.
• You are an entrepreneurial self-starter, detail- and results-oriented, and you act professionally in every situation.

What we can offer you:

Work location and hours: This position can be performed through a mix of on-site and remote work in Denver, Colorado.

Compensation range: The starting salary is $80,000 to $85,000

We offer family-friendly benefits and flexible work hours to all our employees.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• 401k plan with a 4.00% company match
• Support for community involvement

Get to know us:

National Western Center is a reimagined 250-acre campus with new indoor and outdoor event venues, and more on the way! The brand-new Stockyards Event Center is a multipurpose space with two arenas, ample parking and views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline. An outdoor plaza connects it to 20 acres of hardscaped yards for outdoor concerts, festivals, large equipment trade shows, sporting events, drive-in movies and more.  The center is just two miles from downtown Denver and adjacent to the RiNo Art District, with easy access from Denver International Airport via I-70. Home to CSU Spur and the National Western Stock Show, the National Western Center is an emerging urban hub for food and agriculture discovery. 

In 2018, the campus partners created the National Western Center Authority, a nonprofit organization responsible for operating, maintaining, programming, and promoting the National Western Center. The Authority is the primary entity responsible for ensuring the National Western Center achieves its mission. It is also responsible for developing a community investment fund benefiting the residents of the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods in which the campus is located. The Authority’s work is well underway in preparation for buildings being completed and the larger campus opening to the public. The Authority is guided by a 13-member board of directors.

Our mission is to convene the world at the National Western Center to lead, inspire, create, educate, and entertain in pursuit of global food solutions. Join us!

We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

How to apply:

If you are excited about the opportunity to grow with our organization as we fulfill the NWCA mission, please  submit your resume and responses to I - IV above of job announcement at:

https://nationalwesterncenter.com/careers/

Note: responses should not exceed 3 single-spaced, 12 font, normal margin pages. Applications exceeding these limits cannot be reviewed.