EVENT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and park, located in Richmond, Virginia, with many unique experiences for all to enjoy, including the historic Maymont Mansion, The Robins Nature Center, arboretum, formal gardens, and habitats for native Virginia wildlife and farm animals. Since 1975, Maymont has been maintained and operated by the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, committed to creating experiences that delight, educate and inspire its guests.

The Maymont Foundation is seeking an Event Operations Manager who supports the planning, development and production of high-quality community and private events at Maymont. This is a management position that works closely with Maymont’s special events, facility rentals, park operations, and public safety teams. This position reports to the Director of Special Events and Event Sales (DSEES). 

Essential Functions:

• Manage the facility rental department, including oversight of staff.
• Analyze rental trends, venue utilization, booking patterns and revenue performance to identify opportunities to increase weddings, corporate rentals and other facility rental revenue.
• Work with local businesses and community partners to solicit new corporate rentals.
• Execute and cultivate strategies to increase wedding and rentals.
• Manage the annual facility rental budget, monitoring revenue and expenses, and identify opportunities to improve financial performance.
• Ensure client rental spaces are in good condition and report any maintenance or cleaning issues to appropriate departments.
• Assist facility rental staff as needed.
• Oversee setup for meetings, rentals and special events as needed.
• Manage part-time event staff including scheduling, supervision, training, and resource deployment during events.
• Collaborate with special events teams, including, but not limited to Bier-Garden, Garden Glow, Merry Market, Maymont Easter, Herbs Galore and Summer Kick-off to effectively manage community and private event operations from idea-generation, research, planning, and preparation to day-of execution, staffing, tear-down, follow-up, evaluation, analysis and reporting.
• Assist in developing event flow, process and protocols for special event participants
• Troubleshoot and resolve client concerns or issues promptly and professionally, coordinating teams and escalating issues when appropriate.
• Analyze information and create reports to address areas of improvement for rental staffing and venue utilization, as well as event process, protocols, safety and security
• Perform research in order to improve department processes, amenities and offerings.
• Ensure events follow security, legal, insurance, health and safety regulations
• Assists with other duties and tasks as assigned

Competencies:

• Highly organized, self-motivated with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a passion for events
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills with considerable poise in dealing with the public
• Proficient in EventTemple, Prismm, and Microsoft Office
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Experience in maintaining and building business relationships
• Excellent organizational skills, including multitasking, time management, and meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to handle pressure and make quick decisions
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices involved in booking venues for weddings and corporate retreats
• Event sales management experience
• Ability to interpret and explain Maymont policies, rules, and procedures to the public
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with ability to prepare and present accurate reports
• Ability to identify and isolate problems and to initiate appropriate actions
• Working knowledge of the Greater Richmond Region desired

Education & Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college/university with a bachelor’s degree in the hospitality industry, public relations, or closely related field. (preferred)
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in event sales or any equivalent
• Working knowledge of the Greater Richmond Region desired

Requirements:

• Ability to pass a background check
• Valid driver’s license required with reliable transportation to/from Maymont

Physical Demands:

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking and talking for extended periods
• Frequent climbing, bending, stooping and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work inside and outside in all weather conditions
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid-time-off and health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. 

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties. 

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” employment relationship.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Maymont Foundation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.