Job Overview:

Job Title:                             Community Engagement Manager

Department:                       Marketing & Community Engagement

Classification:                     Salaried Employee, Exempt

Job Type:                            Full-time, Monday-Friday, occasional evenings and weekends, flexible schedule

Job Status:                          Employee, 40 hours/week

Reports to:                          Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

Supervisory Role:                No

Travel:                                 Local – yes, occasional. Overnight – No.

Job Summary:

The Community Engagement Manager leads and manages public programs and events from inception to completion. Under the direction of the Director of Marketing & Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Manager serves as the primary point of contact and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Nature Center’s community events, public programming, artists receptions, and manages and attends community outreach opportunities to attract and engage the community and diverse audiences. In addition, the Community Engagement Manager will aid in the cultivation of member/donor stewardship events, as needed. The Community Engagement Manager will ensure the Nature Center’s public programming and events are well-balanced, of high quality, fiscally sound and meet the organization’s goals to highlight the center’s mission and local natural resources while attracting and engaging new and diverse audiences. The Community Engagement Manager is responsible for collaborating and coordinating with Nature Center departments and various staff to plan, budget, market, staff, and execute all aspects of programs (collaborative, partnership, or self-led) and events of varying size each year, while helping to promote the Nature Center and generate revenue.

Job Responsibilities & Duties:

1.    Public & Community Engagement Events (55%):

• Conceptualize, oversee, coordinate and execute 10-12 annual community engagement events, including large annual public events and sales (i.e. in person and online Annual Plant Sale(s), Hike & Run, Pancake Breakfast with the Birds, Luminary Walk, AutumnFest, Birdseed Sale, or similar) that align with the Nature Center’s mission, will attract and engage the community, and generate revenue. This includes all community partnership programs and events. Events and programs may be held in person, virtually (online), or both, depending on the type of event and audience.
• Oversee logistics and provide on-site management for all events and coordinate staffing and volunteer needs for all programs.
• Develop deep understanding of facilities and staff capabilities for events management and coordinate with Facilities Operations staff to design and execute event layouts, including set up and tear down.
• Facilitate communications between Development and Marketing to ensure corporate sponsorship promotions are completed, as needed.

2.    Family & Adult Education Programming (30%):

• Work with internal departments, including Education and Natural Resources, to conceptualize, develop expert content, oversee, coordinate, staff, and fully carry out quarterly public programs (i.e. bird walks, hikes, lectures, story time, and local partner programs, or similar) that align with the Nature Center’s mission and will attract and engage the community.
• Coordinate with Nature Center staff or volunteers to provide a presence at all community engagement opportunities with other organizations to elevate awareness of the Nature Center in the community.
• Foster existing and create new partnerships with outside organizations & agencies to develop collaborative programming.

3.     Donor Cultivation Events (5%):

• Collaborate with development staff to lead and execute 3-5 donor cultivation and stewardship events annually, including coordination of invitations, catering, logistics and event staffing.

4.    Miscellaneous (5%):

• Develop and implement an annual program and events calendar.
• Create staffing plans and work with Volunteer Coordinator to define roles needed to recruit volunteers for events, or to serve on planning committees for larger scale events.
• Coordinate planning, staffing and assistance with community engagement activities and tabling events as needed.
• Serve as primary Nature Center contact for committee volunteers and event chairpersons, leading and hosting committee meetings.
• Conduct sale setup, inventory management, and create and setup ticketing or online registration for all sales-related, ticketed, or registration-required events or programs.
• Work with Marketing staff to ensure events are broadly marketed to attract attendees and fulfill attendee goals, including writing event press releases.
• Coordinate and lead all post-event follow-up, profit/loss, acknowledgment, and evaluation.
• Work with the Finance Department to create and manage budget, projected revenue and income statements, and ensure fiscal soundness for all programs and events.
• Create event reports for Director of Marketing & Community Engagement, President & CEO, and Board of Trustees, as needed.
• Engage the Board of Trustees in the event planning process as appropriate.

IV.   Other Duties (5%):

• Contribute to the writing and editing of the Nature Center’s newsletter as it relates to program and event promotion, post-event summary, and drafting press releases for events.
• Attend weekly rentals and facilities meetings to ensure coordination and communication regarding use of facilities for programs and events to proactively avoid scheduling conflicts.
• Understand and manage liquor permitting and security for events and programs as required.
• Other duties as assigned.          

V.    Required Qualifications & Skills:

• High school graduate.
• Minimum of two years of experience in program and event planning and management.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, with a proven ability to work well with a wide variety of personalities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and build community relationships.
• Commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility through collaborative partnerships and relevant programming.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, meet deadlines and coordinate tasks with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to manage projects requiring multidisciplinary input.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Big-picture thinker with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to develop plans, event budgets, timelines and follow through to completion.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and other Microsoft applications.
• Retail experience a plus, including software or ecommerce management for ticketing, product sales, or inventory management, such as Square.
• Experience with online program registration software, such as GiveButter.
• Experience coordinating virtual, streamed or video recorded programs and events a plus.

VI.   Working Conditions:

• There are situations in which working outdoors is required throughout the year, in various weather conditions.
• This position will include a combination of working remotely and at the Nature Center building, as needed (hybrid).     

VII.  Compensation:

• $40,000.00 - $45,000.00, annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Eligibility for a wide range of benefits.