Interim Events & Operations Manager Position Available In Mercer, New Jersey

Interim Events & Operations Manager McCarter Theatre Center – 3.5 Princeton, NJ Job Details Full-time $1,120 a week 9 hours ago Benefits Free parking 403(b) matching Paid parental leave Health savings account Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off On-the-job training Parental leave Vision insurance 403(b) Qualifications Carpentry Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Customer service Financial software Mid-level Microsoft Office Driver’s License Computer skills Drafting Communication skills Under 1 year Full Job Description

DEPARTMENT

Development / Operations

REPORTS TO

Director of Development, and Director of Operations PAY:

$1,120/week; Temporary, Full-time; Exempt (not eligible for overtime)

BENEFITS INCLUDE

: Medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and holiday time; paid parental leave; flexible spending and health savings accounts; employer-sponsored life, supplemental, long-term and short-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match, access to free parking, and various other perks.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE

This is an in-person position at our administrative offices located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ, with occasional opportunity for remote work. In-person requirements are based on the events schedule, as well as departmental needs and staff meetings. Approximate working hours are 9am – 5pm on non-event days. Frequent weekend, evenings and some holiday hours will be required.

START DATE

This position is preferred to start by June 30th, 2025, or sooner if possible, and will serve as temporary coverage during the Events & Operations Manager’s leave of absence, which begins mid-June 2025 through at least early January 2026.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

McCarter Theatre Center is seeking an organized, proactive, and team-oriented individual to serve in an interim capacity as Interim Events & Operations Manager . This role supports the smooth execution of internal meetings, community rentals, and special events by managing logistics, coordinating with internal teams, and serving as the primary point of contact for related needs. The Interim Events & Operations Manager will also help represent McCarter as a welcoming venue for the wider community—offering tours, supporting rental inquiries, and ensuring that contractual commitments are fulfilled with care and professionalism. This is a highly collaborative role ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, people-centered environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS

Event Management Plan and facilitate logistics for events at McCarter, including venue preparation and breakdown, catering, entertainment, equipment, and décor; reserve spaces on ArtsVision, our internal calendaring software. Coordinate and collaborate cross-departmentally with Front of House, Artistic, Production, Marketing, Development, and Operations to ensure seamless execution of events and alignment with organizational goals. Oversee all aspects of event staffing, including scheduling, supervising, and coordinating staff, volunteers, and vendors to meet event requirements and deadlines; utilize platforms such as Volgistics for scheduling and approving timecards in ADP; create detailed event timelines and production schedules. Manage all financial aspects of events, including budgeting expenses and income, invoicing clients, tracking payments, reconciling expenses, and ensuring adherence to financial guidelines. Collaborate with Operations and other departments to align budgetary needs for permits, staffing, and other event-related costs, with the aim of maximizing productivity and revenue. Intake and respond to rental inquiries from the public: local non-profits, community partners, individuals, McCarter Members, and corporations. Organize and manage the Performance Plus Calendar and lead bi-weekly meetings with the Assistant Production Manager to coordinate events, post-show discussions, Princeton events, and other community-focused programs. Maintain operational resources, including a comprehensive vendor database, inventory of event supplies, and access to ticketing and event planning software, such as Tessitura. Work with the Marketing team to manage event and venue pages on McCarter’s website.

Internal Collaborations Development Events:

Manage Corporate Sponsor Events, Member’s Week, VIP Box Events, Opening Night Parties, Director’s View, Meet and Greets, Behind the Scenes Tours, and board member events.

Marketing Events:

Coordinate Group Sales Events and community partner/public facing events e.g., Pride Parties.

Princeton University Partnerships:

Facilitate events with university departments such as the Lewis Center for the Arts, SPIA, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Grad Futures, and Winter Session. Identify new partnerships across university departments, corporations, and individuals. Represent McCarter at select university meetings to promote collaboration and expand partnerships as needed.

Education Events:

Support educator programs surrounding McCarter’s presented events.

McCarter Gala:

As is appropriate in this interim period, lead initial planning of the annual gala, including securing rentals, permits, and vendors; creating timelines and checklists; scheduling volunteer and paid staff; and coordinating logistics with Development, committees, and university departments. Operations Work with the Director of Operations to create and refine building systems to support space use with an eye for safety and efficiency. Serve as a secondary contact for the university’s Facilities Department, submitting maintenance requests. Support the university Building Services team with the creation of custodial calendars. Schedule and manage CPR/AED/First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Training for McCarter staff. Supervisory Responsibilities Supervise event crews of 3-6 people including Event Leads, Event Assistants, and Bartenders. Support Operations Casual employees with work projects around the building e.g., small projects, office moves, and shredding events Responsible for fostering an environment that promotes excellence in teamwork and patron experience, as well as creating/approving weekly schedules and timecards for payroll. Conduct regular feedback and coaching conversations while providing ongoing training and development opportunities for staff. Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter’s safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, patrons, and guest artists. Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter. Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging for all, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience building and maintaining mutually beneficial business relationship/professional partnerships Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with a keen eye for detail and deadlines. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with colleagues, vendors, and artists, across various departments. Demonstrated experience as a stage or events manager, with the ability to set priorities, take initiative, and work collaboratively in dynamic, fast-paced environments. Brings self-motivation, enthusiasm, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Strong interpersonal, diplomatic, and customer service skills, with a proven ability to delegate effectively to crews with diverse skills and identities.

Computer Skills:

working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and financial software. Experience with ArtsVision and Computer Automated Drafting is helpful but not required. A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work harmoniously with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, always approaching challenges with optimism, civility, and a solutions-oriented approach. Final candidates must successfully complete a background screening.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Valid U.S. driver’s license. Ability to read and understand technical drawings. Basic carpentry skills (for Operations departmental support).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff. We seek individuals who share our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected. Work will primarily be completed in a shared office space in our administrative offices located at 91 University Place, subject to HVAC cooling and heating, with event-based work taking place throughout the building as well as off-site. This position entails extended periods of standing and sitting, manual dexterity for operating equipment and the ability to read and interpret documents, while requiring lifting, pushing and carrying objects up to 50 pounds, repeatedly, either alone or with a partner; engaging in repetitive tasks, walking, bending and reaching within various work environments, including stairs. Employees should be comfortable with these physical demands and able to maintain productivity and focus throughout the workday. Availability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends. Employees may be asked to occasionally use a personal cell phone in order to access authenticator apps and related software necessary for work credentials/multi-factor authentication (MFA). Applicants should be comfortable using their personal devices for these purposes as part of their job responsibilities, as workarounds cannot be guaranteed in order to access certain platforms. This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of McCarter.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world. Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.

TO APPLY

Do upload a resume; cover letters are optional – we welcome any additional context you would like to share about your experience and interest in this role. We look forward to learning more about you!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. As such, McCarter seeks team members who: contribute to a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to support an expansive artistic vision; are committed to engaging in ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work collectively and individually; value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to continuous personal and professional growth. We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship. We also encourage candidates who do not live within commuting distance to apply; we are eager to tell you about the area, which includes many vibrant communities and towns outside of Princeton. McCarter Theatre Center is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in the application and hiring process for individuals with disabilities if needed and requested. To request disability accommodation, please contact (609) 258-6500 and connect with Human Resources or email .