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Job Description
This is a temporary, seasonal, part-time position with hours increasing significantly during the event period. The Garden of Lights Nightly Event Manager plays a key leadership role in the successful execution of one of the college's premier community engagement events hosted at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. This position includes two phases of responsibility: pre-event planning and development (July-November) and on-site event management during event nights. First, during the planning stages beginning in July up to the event beginning November 27, assist VP of Engagement with planning and execution of essential event planning and development functions, including but not limited to: developing Standard Operating Procedures for the event nights, developing sponsorship packages, identify, solicit, and secure sponsorships, coordinate sponsorship visibility, plan sponsor events, develop and coordinate training and scheduling for frontline staff on customer service expectations and procedures. Second, on event nights, act as overall event manager to monitor and oversee on-site operations, staffing, and volunteers during event nights and make real-time decisions to resolve issues. Works collaboratively as part of the Garden of Lights Event Management Team and is authorized to make operational decisions within established policies, escalating safety, legal, or financial issues to the VP of Engagement as appropriate.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Provide direct supervision and coordination of all event staff, contractors, and volunteers—up to 60 individuals per night—ensuring alignment with event goals, service standards, and operational procedures. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Pre-event hours vary based on project needs; event phase requires consistent evening and weekend availability.
Pre-Event:
Work with VP of Engagement and other Nightly Event Managers to: Establish event policies (ticketing, safety, guest experience) and ensure consistent implementation. Establish and ensure compliance with safety codes, ADA accessibility, and emergency preparedness plans. Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for daily event operations Develop and oversee guest experience strategy, including wayfinding, signage, and service standards. Design and implement crowd flow and queue management plans. Identify, solicit, and secure sponsorships and donations for the event. Develop sponsorship packages and recognition benefits. Maintain relationships with sponsors and ensure fulfillment of benefits. Coordinate sponsor visibility on-site (signage, displays, activations). Collaborate with SCC Foundation on donor engagement strategies. Plan sponsor appreciation activities and communications. Assist with ordering and vendor identification. Coordinate training for frontline staff on customer service expectations and procedures. Coordinate scheduling of nightly staff to ensure adequate staffing coverage for night's anticipated attendance. May include other duties as they arise assigned by the
VP of Engagement On Event Nights:
Champions a welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality guest experience aligned with the college's mission and community values. Supervise and coordinate work of all event staff, contractors, and volunteers. Monitor on-site operations during event nights and make real-time decisions to resolve issues. Ensure adherence to all safety protocols and coordinate with security personnel on incident response and emergency situations. Address and resolve guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery needs in real time. Ensure accessibility and inclusion for all guests, including ADA accommodations. Monitor guest feedback and implement improvements throughout event duration. Oversee lost-and-found, guest assistance, and emergency response communication protocols. Supervise setup and teardown/clean-up crews and ensure timelines are met.
Post-Event:
Analyze event performance (attendance, revenue, feedback) and produce post-event evaluation reports. Assist with post-event evaluation and debriefing working with the Event Management team and VP of Engagement to develop plans for next year's event. Success in this role will be measured by event attendance, guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, revenue outcomes, and effective coordination of staff and volunteers.
College-Wide Competencies:
INTEGRITY
•Demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical behavior, honesty, and transparency in all interactions within the college. Upholds the college's values, policies, and standards, and serves as a role model for others by consistently doing what is right, even when faced with challenges and pressures
EXCELLENCE
•Strives to achieve the highest standards of quality in all aspects of work, demonstrating dedication to continuous improvement, delivering quality results, contributing to the overall success of the college and its mission. RESPECT•Demonstrates an appreciation for the dignity of individuals within the college. Treats students, colleagues, and community members with kindness, fairness, and consideration to foster a welcoming culture. Respects differing viewpoints and contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment.
OPPORTUNITY
•Demonstrates the ability to recognize, create, and seize opportunities that contribute to personal growth, student success, and the advancement of the college's mission. Encourages and supports others in identifying and leveraging opportunities for improvement, innovation, and development. Actively seeks ways to maximize potential and foster a culture of continuous learning and progress.
HELPFULNESS
•Demonstrates a commitment to service by being approachable, responsive, and proactive in providing support to students, colleagues, the community, and environment (both physical and cultural) of the college. Fosters a positive and collaborative culture where individuals feel valued and empowered to seek assistance and resources. It helps create a culture of belonging and engagement in which students can learn and achieve success. Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event planning, event operations, or hospitality management, preferably including large-scale public events. Demonstrated experience supervising staff, contractors, and/or volunteers in a dynamic environment. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders. Experience developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs). Proven ability to manage guest services, resolve customer concerns, and deliver high-quality guest experiences. Experience with sponsorship development, donor relations, or fundraising support. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to make sound decisions quickly under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and scheduling tools.
Preferred education and experience:
Experience managing seasonal or outdoor events or festivals. Knowledge of ADA compliance, crowd management, and event safety protocols. Experience working with nonprofit organizations. Familiarity with ticketing platforms and event management software. CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain). Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Other Duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate and/or necessary by: President / Senior Leadership Team / Dean / Department Head / Supervisor
