Signature Experience Event Manager Wage: DOE Shift: Full time, exempt. Some weekend, evening, and holiday availability required. Benefits: Free Thanksgiving Point Membership for you and immediate family; medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurances; paid time off & holidays; 401(k); Employee Assistance Program; Financial Assistance Program; Thanksgiving Point venue discounts; and more! Create experiences that people look forward to year after year. ??? What if your next event wasn’t just an event—but something thousands of people look forward to every year? Thanksgiving Point is looking for a Signature Experiences Event Manager to lead the planning and execution of some of our most beloved and highly attended experiences, including the iconic Tulip Festival, Luminaria, and other signature events. This is an opportunity for an experienced event professional who loves bringing big ideas to life. You’ll combine creative vision, strategic planning, operational excellence, and exceptional hospitality to create experiences that guests remember long after they leave. From the first idea to the final guest and everything in between, you’ll help shape what these experiences become. Why You’ll Love This Role ?? Lead iconic experiences that have become traditions for thousands of guests. ?? Bring your creative ideas to life and help shape the future of Thanksgiving Point events. ?? Collaborate across a unique organization with teams in events, marketing, education, gardens, museums, facilities, security, and more. ?? Own the full event experience—from concept and planning through execution and evaluation. ?? Make a visible impact on guests, families, and the broader community. ?? Grow your event leadership experience while managing complex, high-profile experiences. ?? Be part of Thanksgiving Point, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing to life the joy of learning, curiosity, and the wonders of the natural world through world-class experiences. What You’ll Do - Lead Signature Events from Concept to Completion
- Lead the development, planning, and execution of large-scale, multi-day events such as Tulip Festival and Luminaria.
- Own the event lifecycle—from initial concepts and planning through setup, live event operations, teardown, and post-event evaluation.
- Build detailed timelines, project plans, and operational strategies to keep complex events moving forward.
- Anticipate challenges, solve problems quickly, and ensure all event elements work together seamlessly.
- Create Experiences Guests Remember
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop unique, engaging, and immersive event experiences.
- Bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to Thanksgiving Point's signature events.
- Stay current on event, hospitality, entertainment, and guest-experience trends.
- Look for opportunities to continually improve the experience while staying true to Thanksgiving Point's mission and identity.
- Own the Budget and Business Side of Events
- Create, manage, and monitor event budgets.
- Make thoughtful decisions that balance financial sustainability with exceptional guest experiences.
- Track expenses and adjust plans as needed to keep events financially viable.
- Help evaluate event performance and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Build Strong Vendor & Community Partnerships
- Identify, select, negotiate with, and manage vendors, contractors, and event partners.
- Develop strong working relationships that contribute to successful event execution.
- Coordinate partners and vendors before and during events to ensure expectations are clear and commitments are met.
- Lead & Develop Your Team
- Manage, mentor, and support event staff, volunteers, and seasonal employees.
- Build a positive, collaborative team culture centered on hospitality, accountability, and exceptional guest experiences.
- Provide clear direction and support during both planning and live event operations.
- Help team members understand how their work contributes to the overall event and guest experience.
- Champion the Guest Experience
- Keep the guest experience at the center of event decisions.
- Ensure events are welcoming, accessible, safe, and thoughtfully designed for a wide range of guests.
- Partner with internal teams to anticipate guest needs and address challenges.
- Look for the small details that turn a good event into a memorable one.
- Partner with Marketing
- Collaborate with the Marketing team to promote signature events and maximize attendance and engagement.
- Provide event expertise and input on promotional strategies, content, and messaging.
- Help ensure the event experience and marketing promise align.
- Learn, Evaluate & Improve
- Lead post-event evaluations to understand what worked, what didn't, and what guests experienced.
- Gather feedback and insights from staff, partners, and guests.
- Use data and observations to make future events stronger, more efficient, and more impactful.
What We’re Looking For We’re looking for an experienced event professional who can balance big-picture thinking with getting the details right. You’ll be a strong fit if you: - Have experience managing large-scale or complex events from planning through execution.
- Are an organized project manager who can keep many moving pieces on track.
- Are a confident leader who can bring people together around a shared vision.
- Enjoy solving problems and can stay calm and resourceful when plans change.
- Have strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Bring creativity and fresh ideas while understanding the importance of operational details.
- Care deeply about hospitality and creating exceptional guest experiences.
- Are comfortable managing budgets, vendors, timelines, and competing priorities.
- Enjoy collaborating across departments and working with a wide variety of people.
- Can work evenings, weekends, and holidays when event schedules require it.
- Are comfortable spending significant time on-site during events and working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Can lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for extended periods during event setup and breakdown.
Education & Experience - Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Proven experience managing large-scale events, preferably in cultural, community, entertainment, hospitality, nonprofit, or similar settings.
- Experience leading teams, vendors, contractors, and/or event partners.
- Experience matters to us, but so does what you bring to the table. If you have strong event leadership experience and can demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your background doesn't perfectly match every qualification listed.
Join Us At Thanksgiving Point, our events are more than dates on a calendar. They are opportunities to bring people together, create traditions, and make lasting memories. If you're an event leader who wants to combine creativity, strategy, hospitality, and meaningful work, we'd love to hear from you. Come help us create the experiences people can't wait to come back to. ???
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