POSITION OVERVIEW
The Ruth Bancroft Garden (“Garden”) seeks an experienced and creative House Manager to oversee on-site private events and to create and lead the annual Garden of D’Lights holiday light show. This is an exciting new position in the Garden that will support weddings and private events throughout the warmer months and have creative oversight and management of the Garden’s regionally famous annual light show. The selected candidate will have a passion for creating a magical and unforgettable visitor experience whether during the light show or during someone’s most memorable life event. The House Manager will employ excellent team leadership, organizational, and communication skills to lead on-site coordination of hourly event staff, volunteer corps during the light show, and coordination with other Garden team members supporting the annual light show. Working under the direction of the Events Manager, the House Manager will be the lead on-site person during private events that can have between 30 and 150 guests in the Garden during a private event. During the light show, the House Manager will be the lead on-site logistics person and trouble shooter for lighting and music making sure the show runs smoothly.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Special Events
· Provide exceptional client service before, during, and after the event
· During spring, summer, and fall this position will primarily be the on-site staff person for private event rental.
· Candidate must be available to work weekends and evenings and accommodate a flexible schedule.
· The House Manager will supervise a team of Event Associates to ensure that all tables, chairs, and any other “bones” of the event are properly set up. Assist with supervisory responsibilities, including managing an event staff of inexperienced employees during the set-up, take down.
Light Show
· Layout and create an annual light show with music that highlights the plant collection with dazzling light displays.
· Ability to re-imagine the show with annual updates and new ideas to keep visitors engaged and wanting to return year after year.
· During the months of the light show this person will lead all activities associated with the physical show and will coordinate with other staff regarding marketing, ticketing, staff and volunteer support.
· During winter months the position involves set up, take down, logistics, managing volunteers, and troubleshooting during the light show.
· The position requires a person with a creative mind and technical skills in lighting design, electrical, sound, and art installations.
Property Care
· Manage event guests by prioritizing the protection of the Ruth Bancroft Garden plant collection of rare and unusual pants that can be easily damaged by people wandering off the pathways and plaza spaces.
· Maintain all equipment and storage area in a neat an orderly manner and replace broken parts, furniture, or fixtures
· Sensitively negotiate with dedicated and protective garden maintenance staff to facilitate garden modifications and pruning to support events and light show.
· Maintain building and event spaces in a neat and clean manner during events so that the facility always looks its best.
Administrative
· Prepare reports and communicate effectively through email and correspondence
· Collect payments from customers
· Respond to customer inquiries and conduct pre-event walk-throughs with clients.
Qualifications
· 2 plus years working in an event planning capacity including responsibility for lighting, sound and event design
· Strong organizational skills and technological savvy
· Excellent team leadership skills
· Flexibility and willingness to take on and manager multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously
· Passion for the mission of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
· Bachelor’s degrees or equivalent work experience.
Benefits
· Salary range: $55,000 to $65,000
· Benefits include there weeks paid time off (PTO), which increases after five years of service, holidays, health insurance subsidy, 401k
To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to: Roger Ravenstad, Executive Director, Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery. Roger@ruthbancroftgarden.org