Lead Event Designer

About Aspen Jewish Congregation Aspen Jewish Congregation (AJC) is in an exciting period of renewal and growth. With a nationally recognized senior rabbi, a board-approved strategic plan, and robust funding and resources, AJC is poised to expand its impact and strengthen Jewish life across the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV). We welcome everyone—Jewish through birth or conversion, Jewish-curious, Jewish-adjacent, and interfaith families seeking connection and meaning. Overview Our Lead Event Designer/ Events Production Manager translates vision into execution and is a cross-functional project manager responsible for planning, executing, and elevating AJC's programs, events, and community experiences. This individual will understand the standards and nuances of high-end social events and deliver experiences that reflect sophistication, discretion, and exceptional hospitality. In addition to executing programming, our Lead Event Designer/ Events Production Manager will collaborate closely with operations, marketing, development, and rabbinic leadership. This position requires strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple timelines, budgets, vendors, and workstreams simultaneously. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives on meticulous, time-sensitive execution, anticipates needs before they arise, and ensures that complex initiatives move seamlessly from vision to delivery with precision and excellence. Core Responsibilities 1. Program and Event Planning a. Plan and execute the events listed below, between June 1, 2026 and October 4, 2026, for as many as 500 people per event including vibrant music filled worship services, dynamic guest speaker series, exclusive events for high-net worth individuals, outdoor concerts and more. See below for details. b.

Manage full event details:

Timelines, maintaining budgets, vendor coordination (including venue owners), logistics, staffing, registration, welcome tables, on-site execution, food/beverage, security, both audio and video, and post-event follow-up. c. Ensure events are welcoming, accessible, and operationally seamless. d. Oversee set-up, breakdown, check-in, hospitality, and day-of troubleshooting. 2. Project Management and Operations a. Serve as the primary project manager across multiple concurrent initiatives. b. Build and maintain timelines, task lists, and accountability systems to keep staff, volunteers, and leadership on track. c. Coordinate across departments (rabbinic leadership, executive leadership, development, education, and marketing); schedule regular communication/meetings for input and updates d. Track budgets, expenses, and operational details with discipline and transparency; proactively flag risks, constraints, and dependencies early. Seek and evaluate multiple competitive bids for vendors and services to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality control, and alignment with organizational standards. e. Oversee evaluations, surveys, and impact tracking for programs and events. 3. Speaker, Talent and Partner Coordination a. Coordinate logistics (travel, lodging, hospitality, etc) for visiting talent. b. Prepare session outlines and briefing materials. c. Ensure recording permissions, content capture, and post-event distribution (video, podcast, written materials). 4. Funders, Donors and Development Support a. Support logistics and stewardship efforts connected to development programs and events. b. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all donor interactions. Qualifications and Profile

• Demonstrated experience designing elite social events and dynamic multi-format programming (music, speaking, presentation).
• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously without losing focus on details.
• Comfortable working with senior leaders, funders, speakers, and community stakeholders.
• Highly organized, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented.
• Proactive problem solver who anticipates needs rather than reacts to issues.
• Clear communicator, both written and verbal.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with a small staff team plus volunteers from the congregation.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by program schedule. Working Structure
• Full-Time seasonal consultant from April
• October, 2026.
• Nights and weekends will be required for events. Compensation
• The total salary for this project is up to $70,000.
• An additional $3000 for subcontracted support hired by the consultant for things like setup, on-site assistance, etc. This fee covers any subcontracted support the consultant elects to engage (e.g., setup crew, logistics support, on-site assistance).
• Hard costs and third-party event expenses (e.

g., venue, catering, food and beverage, décor, floral, rentals, audio visual production, security) are not included in this budget and will be contracted by, and paid separately by, Aspen Jewish Congregation.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF EVENTS WITH ANTICIPATED

"DAY

OF EVENT

"

NEEDS FROM THE PROJECT MANAGER/EVENT PLANNER ALL LISTED EVENTS OCCUR BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2026-OCTOBER 2, 2026

Glossary:

• "Minimal day-of prep/clean-up"
• <2 hours total day-of prep/clean-up time
• "Medium day-of prep/clean-up"
• 2-5 hours total day-of prep/clean-up time
• "High day-of prep/clean-up"
• 5+ hours total day-of prep/clean-up time Light support
• Primarily present as a point person; minimal facilitation/coordination during the event. Medium support
• Some active facilitation during the event (greeting participants, helping coordinate timing, managing small logistics). High support
• Actively running or managing the event (leading activities, coordinating volunteers, troubleshooting logistics throughout).

Friday Evenings Shabbat Evening Services, Fridays 6-7pm, Weekly beginning June 5, Aspen Chapel (most weeks) 80-120 people Worship service followed by light hors d'oeuvres Minimal day-of prep/clean-up, light support Cocktails & Conversation, Fridays 4:45-5:45pm, Weekly beginning June 26, Aspen Chapel (most weeks), flows directly into Shabbat evening services. 30-45 people Learning session with Rabbi Shira, light food & drinks Minimal day-of prep & clean-up, light support Shabbat Dinner, Fridays, 7pm, Aspen Chapel, immediately follows Friday evening services on June 19, June 26, July 10, August 28 50-100 people Catered buffet dinner following worship service Medium day-of prep & clean-up, high support Recurring Ajax Shabbat Morning Service, Saturdays 10:30-11:30am, Top of Aspen Mountain June 27, July 18, August 15 80-100+ people Worship service with light breakfast Medium prep & clean-up, high support Aspen Jewish Conversations, 5:30-7pm, Location TBD July 23, July 29, August 5 150+ people (August 5th potentially 400 people) Panel of visiting speakers of national/international renown at an Aspen location (not the chapel) Medium prep & clean-up, medium support Aspen Jewish Conversations

• Workshops, all day, Location TBD July 22-23, July 29-30, August 5-6 75+ people Workshop events with panel speakers Medium prep & clean-up, medium support Aspen Jewish Conversations
• Dinners (3) 10-25 people each Catered dinners for major donors, usually following panels in different peoples' homes Minimal prep & clean-up, light support One-Time Camp Bashert Shabbat, Friday, June 19, 4pm, Glenwood Springs 80-100 people Reception, kids activities, worship service, catered dinner High prep & clean-up, high support Replaces Cocktails & Conversation and Shabbat evening services that night Mountaintop Shabbat, Saturday, August 1, 10:30-12, Top of Aspen Mountain 500+ people Worship service with 5 piece band from Boston, catered breakfast High prep & clean-up, high support Grandparents and Friends Shabbat Sings, July 31, 4:30-6pm, Aspen Chapel 20-30 people Tot program with music and family dinner Medium prep & clean-up, medium support Bnei Mitzvah, times and locations vary June 13 (10:30am, Hotel Colorado), June 27(4:30pm, The Collective Snowmass); September 26 (4:30pm, Aspen Chapel) High-Medium prep & clean-up, medium support ED Welcome Picnic, Tuesday, July 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Chapel Garden 200+ people Catered BBQ and welcome/thank you gathering High prep & clean-up, high support DV Musical Havdalah, Saturday, August 8, 5pm, Camp Bashert Glenwood Springs 50-80 people Reception, kids activities, short worship service, catered dinner Medium planning, medium prep & clean-up, medium support Night of Excellence, Thursday, August 13, 6pm (not definite) 75+ people Panel speakers Medium prep & clean-up, medium support Come See Me in the Good Light, Saturday, September 5, 6pm (not definite) 120 people Movie screening with talkback, local musicians at beginning and end Medium planning, minimal prep & clean-up, light support High Holiday season All worship events on the Aspen Meadows Campus, most at Paepke, one on the lawn in Anderson Park and one in

Doerr-Hosier High Holiday Dates:

• Rosh Hashanah, Friday evening-Sunday September 11-13
• Yom Kippur, Sunday evening-Monday September 20-21
• Sukkot, September 25-October 2
• Simchat Torah, October 2 Events include worship services, learning sessions, community programming, and meals.

Services range from 100-400+ people. Meals include a catered lunch in Anderson Park, catered dinner in Doerr-Hosier, and catered dessert reception at Paepcke Auditorium.

Sukkot:

1-2 worship services and/or meals at the Aspen Chapel, 80-100 people Simchat Torah, Friday, October 2, 6pm, Aspen Chapel Final event of the High Holidays season,worship service, reception, with visiting talent/band (100+ people)

Pay:

$70,000.00 per year Application Question(s): Do you have a valid Driver's License?

Experience:

Event Planning:

1 year (Required)

Language:

English (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Aspen, CO 81611 (Required)

Work Location:

In person