Manager of Events - Grace Farms Foundation

Role: Manager of Events

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Events, Catering & Visitor Experience

Location: New Canaan, Connecticut

In the role of Manager of Events, you will serve on, and provide leadership to, a team that coordinates and executes live and digital programs and events that celebrates and brings to life the place and initiatives of Grace Farms: Nature, Arts, Justice, Community, Faith and Design for Freedom You will be responsible for the supervision of the Events team, and all program logistics, details and inter-departmental communications that go into making these events a success.

Our environment is not a typical corporate events space. Our clients are not-for-profits, community partners, government entities, and our own internal teams supporting the various initiatives and strategic programmatic goals. You will be part of a team with a strong collaborative work ethic that is passionate about putting their events management skills to work in a mission-driven environment. This is also not a Monday-Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM job. Events and Programs take place when the audiences are available which often means before & after hours, as well as on weekends.

Your Day-to-Day

• Supervise the Events Team, overseeing a team of professional Event Specialists and Coordinators. Collaborate with internal & external program owners and team members to execute all major aspects of event management from planning through completion for live and digital events of all sizes and varieties.
• Proactively seek, synthesize and communicate collected information regarding each event/program from and to a variety of sources to ensure that all are appropriately briefed and provided with the information they need to execute successfully on each event and program.
• Collaborate with and work alongside the Technical Director and team to determine the necessary technical supports for events and productions, including the specifications, costs and usage of equipment applied to a wide variety of performances, workshops, annual benefit and other projects.
• Train and coordinate cross-functional visitor engagement team to staff and support events as needed including, but not limited to, talent relations, hospitality, registration and production.
• Direct and coordinate event-related meetings and technical planning sessions with internal teams, invited guests, and partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with event-related vendors and contractors including, but not limited to external caterers, talent and support staff.
• Ensure compliance with budgetary, contractual, insurance, legal, health and safety obligations.
• Support and strengthen daily operations and resources, ensuring that all administrative duties are delivered with efficiency, high quality and in a timely manner.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal, administrative, and communication skills, and the ability to execute with a high degree of professionalism and excellence, especially under pressure.
• Incredible attention to details and logistics planning skills
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Excel. Mac skills desirable.
• Strong consideration given to candidates with knowledge of CRM and project managing software/platforms.
• Requires a flexible schedule with weekend and evening work.
• This position is primarily based on-site, and the successful candidate must thrive in a place-based, customer facing, collaborative, fast paced environment.
• A positive attitude and self-directed and entrepreneurial work style

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Event Management, Business Development or Communications preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of event planning for cultural, community, or not-for-profit spaces.
• Minimum of two years supervisory experience providing leadership to professionals.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., bend, climb stairs, and stand for an extended period of time.

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.