Special Events Manager

Are you an innovative special events professional who is passionate about serving an inclusive and vibrant community? The Village of Wilde Lake in Columbia, Maryland (#vibrantwildelake) is seeking a Special Events Manager to develop and implement programs for our community residents of all ages, including at its Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House.  

The Special Events Manager reports to the Executive Director (Village Manager) and collaborates across WLCA departments to ensure an exceptional experience for our community members at our special events and summer camps.

Sound interesting? Keep reading! 

Responsibilities:

Special Events Planning:

• Plan and implement a variety of programs and events for community members of all ages, including our annual community picnic, Halloween events, and breakfast with Santa.
• Identify and develop additional, innovative events for our diverse and vibrant community.  
• Manage and maintain the functioning and operations of the Bernice Kish Gallery of art, including soliciting artists for exhibits (as necessary), supporting the community’s Artist Advisory Committee that selects artists, coordinating exhibits with artists, and scheduling exhibits and art receptions.
• Develop and maintain WLCA’s 12-month calendar of events.
• Create social media campaigns, advertising materials, and content for WLCA's website and gallery pages to promote programs and artists' exhibits and receptions.
• Coordinate and negotiate contracts with event service providers and artists.
• Staff WLCA-sponsored programs, events, and art exhibits and receptions.
• Attend periodic events coordinators meetings with other Villages in Columbia.
• Supervise and coordinate event assistants and/or volunteers.

Summer Camp Administration:

• Create social media campaigns, advertising materials, registration forms, newsletters, and content for WLCA's website to promote programs and artists' exhibits and receptions.
• Update and manage camp website.
• Manage camp registration, including pricing and compiling all camp database information and transforming data into lists for attendance, health, and extended care; and designing counselor forms, parent information forms, and tickets for programs.
• Coordinate hiring, paperwork, training, and requirements (e.g., fingerprinting, CPR) for camp staff where needed.
• Order all camp related art supplies, food, and games where needed.
• Ensure camp policies, forms, permits, and reports are in compliance with all state requirements and regulations.
• Create and submit annual financial report to the Village Board.
• Attend annual Youth Camp Director training.
• Collaborate with the Camp Director concerning camp programming and training.
• Act as liaison between campers, staff and parents, as needed.

• Answer phones and greet visitors.
• Respond to phone and in-person inquiries and/or refer to appropriate staff.
• Collect payments as necessary.
• Process registrations for programs, classes and events.

IS THIS YOU?:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 5+ years of events management experience required, preferably in arts management.
• Advanced proficiency in the development of public relations and marketing materials, including brochures, press releases, social media campaigns, and fliers.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; WordPress; Canva; Adobe Photoshop; Constant Contact; Google Suite; and social media platforms.
• Be a self-starter and make decisions with minimal direction.
• Ability to work well under deadlines and multitask, with a strong attention to detail.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work in a team setting.
• Strong customer service skills to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of clients, including children and parents.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) or Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS) preferred. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and our community.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends. 

• $25/hour 
• 35 hours per week
• Outstanding benefits package, including medical insurance; FSA; 401K; and generous paid time off.  
• Membership to Columbia Association recreational facilities.
• Cohesive, mission-oriented, value-driven philosophy.
• Career development opportunities within the Wilde Lake Community Association, Columbia Association, and other Villages in Columbia.

This Is Us:
The Village of Wilde Lake is the "historic district” of Columbia. In 1967, Slayton House, which houses the offices of Wilde Lake Community Association, was dedicated as the first community center in Columbia, Maryland. Slayton House serves the community by offering a variety of classes and special events. Slayton House is a unique community center building which features a 240-seat theater, dance studio, and juried art gallery, as well as several meeting rooms available for community use. Wilde Lake is vibrant, energized, and poised for tremendous economic and residential growth.  
 

Sound like a good fit? Apply today!

TO APPLY: Please click “Apply” to submit a cover letter (seriously, this is important and required) and your resume. For additional information about Wilde Lake Community Association, please check out our website at https://www.wildelake.org/.

The Village of Wilde Lake is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.  Applicants of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  We welcome you to apply today!