Senior Manager Of Events And Programs

Principal Function: The Senior Manager of Events and Programs is responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of all public programs that the organization offers, including festivals, adult programs, youth and family programs and select onsite added-value experiences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Works with Director of Experience Development to build strategy for public programs including festivals, adult programs, youth and family programs and select onsite added-value experiences.

• Manages Program Developers, Technical Coordinator and Production Supervisor in the creation and implementation of programs that effectively reflect overall organizational strategy.

• Ensures that all programs are of the highest quality and are reflective of organization's values and Opening Doors philosophy of guest engagement.

• Leads cross-functional teams to design, plan and implement an individual portfolio of public programs and festivals.

• Leads the development and programming of the Headless Horseman Festival annually in October and the Merry Prairie Holiday Festival annually in November/December.

• Guides and supports the development and programming of additional festivals and events throughout the year.

• Cultivates strategic partnerships with corporations, universities, museums, non-profits and other community organizations to provide programmatic guest experiences at Conner Prairie.

• Collaborates with other team members across the organization.

• Represents the organization in the media, as needed.

• Leads or serves on cross-functional, internal project teams as assigned.

• Creates and manages departmental budget in collaboration with the Director of Experience Development.

• Exemplifies Conner Prairie's Customer Service Purpose, Beliefs, and Commitment to Serve. Holds team accountable to these standards in their interactions with guests, vendors, volunteers and other staff members.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises Program Developers, Technical Coordinator and Production Supervisor. Indirectly supervises Production Coordinators, Production Assistants and Crew. Employee carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling and approving time worked; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) in history, education, theater, themed entertainment design, museum studies or other related field is required, or five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Previous experience producing programs, large events and/or festivals is required. Previous supervisory experience is required. Previous experience working in the museum and/or entertainment park industry is desired.

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping one's emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

• Teamwork Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

• Diversity Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

• Ethics Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

• Organizational Support Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

• Professionalism Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

• Quality/Quantity Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.

• Safety/Security Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

• Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management's direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.

Job-related Competencies To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Delegation

• Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.

• Leadership

• Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.

• Cost Consciousness Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

• Strategic Thinking

• Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

• Judgment

• Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

• Planning/Organizing

• Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or desired.

• Computer software skills required include Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, SketchUp and Google G Suite is desired.

• A demonstrated ability to create programs and activities with historical and/or scientific themes in informal learning environments is desired.

• A demonstrated ability to create large-scale, high-quality, story-driven festivals and events that have the ability to connect back to an organization's mission, vision and values.

• A demonstrated knowledge of informal and formal education theory and structure and the development of programs and materials that incorporate K-12 educational standards is desired.

• A working knowledge of grant writing to achieve desired funding is desired.

• The ability to cultivate relationships with corporations, universities, museums, non-profits, and other community organizations is required.

• The ability to prepare and maintain financial budgets is required.

• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, and other office equipment is required.

• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is desired.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently will stand; walk; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; taste or smell.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment: 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 duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally is exposed to working near moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock when working with office equipment and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

While the offices of Conner Prairie are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position will require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It also may require occasional domestic travel. Thus, a valid driver's license is desired.