Job Description
Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, public- and member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.
GENERAL SUMMARY
Lincoln Park Zoo seeks an event manager to produce public ticketed events ranging in size from smaller activations such as Haunted History Tours, to major activations like ZooLights. This role has many project management priorities and is focused on logistics, and runs point on budgets, contracts, and other operational elements.
Candidates should expect to work at the zoo at least three days per week, plus any time required for events, possibly including evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or early mornings according to the demands of the job. Work schedule is flexible and based around event schedule.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Produce a slate of events and work with Director to chart a path to annual revenue goal of $5 million via full team events portfolio.
- Handle essential project management functions for all zoo events.
- Incorporate new partner and vendor relationships into events to support fresh experiences every year
- Identify and incorporate operational efficiencies for events
- Track event budgets, ensure prompt invoice submission and payment, and connect regularly with Events Director and Finance team regarding event performance
- As a partner to Senior Event Manager, consult on and support programming and entertainment
- Attend event planning meetings to fully gauge and advise on scope and feasibility of each event
- Create event production SOPs and implement prioritization practices
- Create site plans, conduct site walks, manage internal relationships around event execution.
- Work with Senior Events Manager to create vendor and programming schedules to include Load-in/Load-out, run of show, etc.
- Submit and manage design requests to ensure events have all creative items delivered on time, on brand, on budget, and on brief, including advertising, operational signage, digital promotions and more
- Apply for and ensure on-time and accurate delivery of appropriate permits and licenses
- Determine volunteer and staffing needs per event; partner with HR and Volunteer services to ensure needs are met
- Determine scope of internal requests with Animal Care, Guest Services, Grounds & Maintenance, and other teams, and create plan of execution
- Solidify orders for event items. i.e. giveaways, printed programs, additional décor as determined in by senior event manager and Director
- Lead meetings pre- and post-production to inform internal and external teams of progress, outstanding items and next steps
- Operate as event on-site lead at select events most notably including event setup. Perform physical labor associated with event needs
- Support Director of Events in executing partnerships with food and beverage team and retail partner
- Maintain warehouse/storage area and event inventory
- Review event survey response data and determine operational efficiencies to support guest experience
- Communicate clearly, consistently, and respectfully within Marketing & Communications (M&C) and across all zoo departments and levels to build relationships that support institution-wide goals of growing mission and revenue
- Perform other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
The ideal candidate:
- Must have strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Strong time management focus
- Must have previous project management experience, preferably in consumer events
- Is creative, resourceful, detail-oriented, a quick-learner, an active contributor, and a friendly collaborator with both internal and external partners
- Is comfortable with meeting new people, forming new relationships, and trying new things
- Can easily organize tasks, manage lots of moving pieces, keep meticulous records, and meet deadlines.
- Can exercise sound judgment and respond in emergency situations.
- Can work at the zoo at least three days/week, and is willing to work more days at the office or on-grounds as the job demands.
- Has experience with the Microsoft 365 suite and commonly-used coworking tools like Zoom, Slack, and Google drive.
- Speaks Spanish (helpful but not required).
- Has a working knowledge of City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Illinois State liquor laws and permit processes (also helpful but not required).
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
No formal requirement. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
2-3 years of experience in event production.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While all roles do not work directly with wildlife or zoo guests, all staff may be called upon at any time to support zoo operations. This could include work that indicates Lincoln Park Zoo’s physical requirements:
- Ability to remain stationary for 3-5 hours/day, and to move around inside (office and/or warehouse environment) and outside (event production).
- Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that may include but are not limited to climbing, bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and/or crawling. Reasonable accommodation will be made as needed.
- Physical strength, including ability and willingness to lift and move objects up to 50 lbs.
- Ability and willingness to operate and safely drive electric carts.
- Ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to wear required personal protective equipment.
- No allergies to plants or animals exhibited on zoo grounds.
- Ability to traverse zoo grounds.
OUR COMMITMENT
Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people.
For Wildlife. For All.
LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS
In addition to such standard benefits (Blue Cross Blue Shield) as medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverages, and a 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match, benefits of working at the zoo include ( benefits are for regular full time employees)
- Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
- Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park, Lakeshore Trail, and North Avenue Beach
- Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events), attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
- Quarterly staff mingle events and “LPZooU” training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects
- Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)
- A working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife!
Salary $ 48,000-$52,000
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Flexible hours, Afternoon shift, 3 days per week, Early shift,