POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: EVENT MANAGER

The Event Manager is responsible for the design, planning, execution, and management of GCC events, targeting audiences such as visitors, donor prospects, and members. Each event is strategically crafted to achieve key objectives: educating attendees about GCC’s mission, strengthening relationships with current supporters, and creating memorable experiences within the overall donor experience. By fostering meaningful engagement, these events aim to build lasting connections and drive increased revenue, supporting the GCC's mission.

The Event Manager position is a hybrid role that requires the incumbent to be within a four-hour drive radius of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The person selected will be required to spend significant time at the South Rim to execute GCC events. The position is full-time, exempt, and benefit-eligible and reports to the Events and Donor Relations Manager within the Philanthropy department.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties vary with the workload and may include, but are not limited to, the tasks listed below.

Strategic Planning and Project Management

• Provide vision and practical oversight of event plans to meet goals, objectives, and timelines while ensuring all arrangements (including on-site logistics, run-of-show, staffing assignments, food/beverage requirements, and lodging plans) are fulfilled to maximize allocated resources.
• Create and adhere to detailed event budgets, including venue rental, catering, audiovisual, entertainment, marketing, and logistics.

Event Logistics

• Coordinate all aspects of events, including setup, registration, entertainment, transitions, and breakdown. Manage logistics, reservations, and special requests for Board members.
• Identify, create, manage guest lists, send invitations, track RSVPs, and coordinate guest communications and logistics.

Vendor Selection

• Source and negotiate contracts with vendors like caterers, venue providers, AV companies, entertainment companies, and event designers, and oversee external event staff assigned to each event.

Marketing and Promotion

• Provide input for the Marketing Team’s advertisement campaigns for GCC events

Post-Event

• Analyze and provide reports on financials (including revenue generation), attendance levels, attendee and staff feedback, and other project plan components. 
• Determine opportunities to engage participants while making improvement recommendations applicable to current and future activities.

Park and Concessioner Liaison

• Support Grand Canyon National Park staff with event planning needs as requested; serve as liaison to concessioners, assist with on-site event execution, and facilitate contracts and billing.

Celebration of Art

• Assume primary responsibility for CoA project management, including managing contracted artists and their artwork, jury selection, contract agreements, housing arrangements, schedules, artwork check-in, and most importantly, relationship manager and representative of GCC.
• Serve as a key team member working cross-functionally with GCC departments including retail, operations, and park staff dedicated to this annual major event.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is 70 percent sedentary office work with repetitive motions such as keyboard and mouse
• This position is 30 percent on-site, physically setting up events
• Ability to walk outdoors periodically up to 4 miles to set up and unload supplies for GCC events
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds on occasion
• Ability to drive to multiple locations for events and shopping for supplies

GCC CORE VALUES

GCC has identified four core values representing how we interact with our employees, partners, visitors, supporters, and followers. Our values include the following: 

• Integrity: We are honest, respectful, inclusive, caring, and accountable for our actions. We operate at a high level of excellence, utilizing our resources to their best and fullest potential.
• Education: We are a dynamic learning organization uniquely positioned to cultivate the "awe" of the Grand Canyon.
• Service: We embrace our role as a valued partner of the National Park Service at Grand Canyon National Park and will provide the highest level of excellence in every interaction with employees, partners, visitors, supporters, and donors.
• Connection: We foster a sense of wonder and adventure for the Grand Canyon.

GCC'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

Grand Canyon Conservancy embraces and nurtures a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes diversity, encourages collaboration, and fosters a culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and included. As a dynamic learning organization, we continually evaluate our systems and practices to foster an environment where all employees feel a sense of belonging, are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, and can thrive personally and professionally.

GCC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

GCC provides a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation and holiday pay, sick leave, Canyon Experience Days, an employer-supplemented health benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and health savings account (HSA) plan, employer-paid long-term disability and life insurance, an employer-paid 401(k) retirement plan, and discounts in our retail stores and Grand Canyon Conservancy Institute offerings. The hiring salary for the position is $60,000.00 annually. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in special event planning and project management
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a related field
• Or any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the above minimum requirements
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as required 
• Exceptional organizational ability and event leadership skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders, including donors, staff, volunteers, vendors, and management
• Must possess a valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Prior experience executing fine art exhibitions and/or similar high-level creative events
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills that contribute to positive experiences for both internal and external audiences
• Demonstrated active listening, empathy, patience, adaptability, clear and detailed communication, professionalism, de-escalation and conflict resolution, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while remaining calm and level-headed despite minimal supervision
• Previous experience presenting innovative event concepts and experiences to capture attendees' attention
• Understanding of strategies for securing sponsorships and donations.
• The desire to work as part of a team of highly engaged, enthusiastic, dedicated people focused on engaging our donors, prospects, and partners in the vital work of our organization
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook applications, including mail merges, database applications (Raiser’s Edge preferred), email, and web searches; ability to quickly learn other applications
• Ability to promote and maintain a positive work environment while displaying GCC’s Core Values
• Genuine commitment to GCC’s mission and goals
• Ability to work with GRCA Park staff to support their needs while promoting a positive partnership

Please visit our website at: https://www.grandcanyon.org/about/jobs.

We ask that you include a resume and cover letter with your application.