Event and Hospitality Coordinator - John Michael Kohler Arts Center

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) is a nationally acclaimed visual and performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Founded in 1967, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center presents work by diverse artists, from the vernacular to classically trained and from local to global perspectives. JMKAC establishes a community locally and nationally with its rotating, original contemporary art exhibitions, live performances and events, classes, workshops, and on-site preschool.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and customer service-oriented Event and Hospitality Coordinator to implement and coordinate JMKAC’s special events, rentals, group tours, and artist hospitality.

About The Role

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programming, the Event and Hospitality Coordinator manages JMKAC’s special events programs, rental hospitality, and event logistics. This is a dynamic role that works closely with the Programming, Exhibitions, Development, and Operations teams to create strategies for increased earned revenue and audience development and promotes efficiencies in the implementation and execution of events, tours, and hospitality. The Event and Hospitality Coordinator supervises contracted bartenders, caterers, hired assistants, and interns, and is responsible for training and overseeing volunteers. Showcase your interpersonal and business development skills as you manage business relationships and collaborate with key departments to support JMKAC community partners.

Work Schedule: Full-time Monday – Friday, daytime and evening hours, plus Saturdays and Sundays as required to meet business needs and staffing for planned events. Travel to other locations for events is required.

Successful Candidates Will Have:

• A deep understanding of the organization’s mission and alignment with JMKAC programming
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• A creative, proactive, and consultative approach
• Community-oriented and client-driven
• Exceptional organizational skills and detail-orientation
• Superb time management and record-keeping
• Excellent initiative, follow-through, and leadership
• Professionalism

Essential Job Duties

• Manage all program and rental hospitality for the organization including Midsummer Festival of the Arts, Levitt AMP, Openings, Benefactor Events, Membership Moments, Gala, and other programming.
• Coordinate biweekly Operations Meetings with Security, Visitor Services, Café, Shop, Marketing, etc., and oversee the Arts Center and Preserve calendars.
• Maintain procedures and systems, such as Versai, for rentals, inventory, contracts, deposits, invoicing, and patron feedback.
• Manage adult and community group tour programs including public relations, marketing (in consultation with Marketing Dept) sales, scheduling, booking, contracting, and invoicing. This includes attending docent training, curatorial briefings, and providing tour experiences.
• Develop, monitor, and adhere to department and/or organizational budgets.
• Manage inventory of beverages, alcohol products, and licenses for the organization.
• Respond to all event inquiries and provide patrons with information.
• Maintain a list of available caterers (including food trucks), bartenders, and equipment rental suppliers to support events.
• Assist the Education department with workshops.
• Hire, coach, provide direction, and schedule contractor interns to support the organization's strategic events.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality, Special Events, or Arts Administration is preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in event management, hospitality, special events programming, nonprofit arts programs, or equivalent is required.
• 1-3 years of supervisory experience.
• Proficient with Point-of-Sale systems (POS), Microsoft Office, order entry, and inventory management.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Valid State of Wisconsin Bartender’s license – must obtain licensure within 30 days of hire date.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently move throughout the building; use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects; and talk or hear. The employee will intermittently sit, stand, walk, climb, or balance, stoop, crouch, kneel, and smell.

The employee should be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and stand and/or walk for six hours/day. Specific vision abilities when performing this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Able to read and interpret documents, write routine correspondence, and speak effectively with others. Able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers. Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Able to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standard situations.

Work Environments:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position is office/art gallery-based and noise level is usually moderate. May occasionally work inside or outside at events where noise level could be moderate to loud. The position works at various locations depending on the schedule. This position must be able to commute between locations if needed.

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.