Job Description

Position:

Event Services Manager

Reports to:

Director of Event Services

Location:

Downtown Charleston, SC

Hours:

Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

Organization Background

A leader in the performing arts in the Southeast, the Charleston Gaillard Center commissions, supports, and presents ambitious, multidisciplinary cultural programming and provides access to the best local, national, and global artists and companies on its stage. Through programming on its public campus and extensive arts education initiatives, the Gaillard Center serves as a platform to participate in community building and essential dialogue.
The Gaillard Center was established as a non-profit in 2015. Its campus includes the world-class 1,818-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, a 26,000 square-foot Exhibition Hall that includes the Grand Ballroom and Salons, and a Terrace Lawn.
For more information about the Charleston Gaillard Center, please visit https://www.gaillardcenter.org.

Position Summary

The Event Services Manager (ESM) is responsible for detailing and coordinating 70+ shows, performances and special events held in the Performance Hall and Exhibition each year at the Gaillard Center. They report to the Director Event Services, and work closely with the Technical Director, Facility Manager, Sales Coordinator, and the Food and Beverage General Manager to ensure all details of each booked event are organized carefully in advance and successfully managed on the day of the event. Primary events include the GMC Presents series, full-facility corporate rentals, and other performance hall rentals.

Responsibilities:

Director of Event Services to schedule tour advance calls, fulfill front of house, security, parking, and catering needs of each event as needed. This role also interfaces with tour personnel and clients on arrival to ensure all needs are met. Work closely with the Director of Event Services on all shows and events in the Performance Hall and Exhibition Hall. Examples of assigned special events are multi-day conferences, vendor trade shows, corporate galas, etc. Responsible for conducting tours and scheduling meetings as necessary to ensure success, and working closely with clients to help plan, execute, the details of their event. Work in conjunction with the event services team in planning and executing full facility events. Responsible for creating fire-code compliant floor plans, and working through adjustments as necessary. Coordinates technical needs, furniture needs, generating event flow and timelines, setup and labor needs and management, working to schedule resources from internal and external sources, and working with catering staff. Oversee coordination, management, and training of the volunteer usher corps, front of house staff, full time event supervisors, and house/venue managers Maintain active involvement in all events from planning, to setup through teardown, to invoicing, acting as an on the ground supervisor when necessary. Assist Director of Event Services in the creation and implementation of production budget including labor, supplies, and vendor costs.

Qualifications

A college degree is not required; however, all candidates should have a combination of education and experience totaling 6 years or more. Experience working in the performing arts and large-scale events such as weddings, galas or corporate meetings and conventions. A strong understanding of the processes involved with planning and executing special events in a multi-functional environment. Familiarity with Food and Beverage services for conference centers, hotels, performance halls or similar environments, with special consideration given to those who have experience in catering sales or catering operations. Experience managing large groups of people, including a mix of guests, clients, full-time and part-time staff, and volunteers. Strong attention to detail, a customer-service first philosophy, a willingness and ability to find solutions to challenges, and a teamwork approach in the work environment. Ability to communicate with people confidently at all levels not limited to users, vendors, and colleagues while remaining composed in difficult situations. Welcoming and supportive of a diverse group of users regardless of race, sex, color, creed, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. Proficient knowledge of computer and software skills including, but not limited to Windows, Mac OS X, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe PDF, and Google Workspace and the ability to format documents quickly and accurately in MS Office programs and Workspace. Experience working in a performance hall, exhibition hall, concert center, or similar environment. The ability to successfully, calmly and clearly manage large groups of people, such as volunteers and part-time staff with limited experience. A strong understanding of the processes involved with planning and executing stage and special events in a multi-functional environment. The ability to successfully, calmly and clearly manage large groups of people, such as volunteers and part-time staff with limited experience. Proficient knowledge of Momentus (Formerly VenueOps), Social Tables, and/or other venue management and room design software. A familiarity with audio/visual equipment and technical services. A willingness to be flexible in an ever-changing environment and act as a true team player. Ability to quickly learn new systems, tools and processes. Highly organized with attention to detail. Drive for results and commitment to timeliness. Knowledge and ability to proofread accurately for both spelling and grammar.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Must submit to a criminal background check. Applicant must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Physical Requirements

Ability to move, transport and/or position up to 35 lbs of various equipment and materials. Using tools of the trade and accessing remote locations of the building. Activities may require sustained periods of standing, movement, traversing, and positioning to meet facility and event demands. Work may include prolonged periods of sitting, typing, or looking at a computer screen.

Pay and Benefits

Pay is commensurate with experience. Please state your wage requirements in your cover letter.
The Charleston Gaillard Center provides a competitive benefit package that includes:
Fully paid medical insurance at the employee level Optional vision, dental, life, and disability insurance 4 weeks of paid time off 403(b) with a company match Free and/or discounted tickets to performances Employer paid parking

The Gaillard is an equal opportunity employer. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Gaillard is critical to our mission. To be a leading performing arts center in the Southeast, we need to have a highly diverse staff, a workplace where individuals are encouraged to retain their uniqueness and can feel a sense of belonging. For us, equity means that our staff members, our patrons, and our clients can experience the transformative power of the arts, no matter their starting place.