Christkindl Markt Event Operations Coordinator

About the role

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and professional Christkindl Markt Event Operations Coordinator to join our Christkindl Markt team. This role is instrumental in bringing the event to life, from supporting year-round planning and administration to serving as a Manager on Duty during the holiday season.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of the Christkindl Markt with efficiency, professionalism, and exceptional hospitality.
• Work closely with vendors, staff, city departments, contractors, and community partners to ensure every detail comes together seamlessly.
• Manage administrative tasks and event operations, including coordinating logistics, vendors, and staff.
• Communicate with professionalism, warmth, and clarity, whether answering guest inquiries, working with vendors, or supporting seasonal staff.
• Think several steps ahead, anticipate challenges, and prevent problems before they arise.
• Build strong relationships with ease, working with people from all backgrounds and establishing trust with vendors, seasonal staff, contractors, community partners, and guests alike.
• Enjoy being both behind the scenes and in the action, coordinating permits, managing schedules, or supporting vendors, answering guest questions, or leading seasonal staff as the Manager on Duty.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, with at least 2 - 3 years of administrative or event operations experience.
• Exceptionally organized, able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and moving pieces without letting important details fall through the cracks.
• Confident using technology to stay organized and communicate effectively, proficient with Google Workspace and comfortable working with spreadsheets, shared drives, databases, calendars, and other digital tools that support event operations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate with professionalism, warmth, and clarity.
• Highly skilled in time management and prioritization, able to work on simultaneous projects with tight and varied deadlines.
• Availability for one hour Christkindl Manager meeting on Mondays during the Christkindl Markt season.

Qualifications

• Inspired by the mission and core values of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Enjoys creating experiences that bring people together and positively impact the community.
• Adapts to shifting priorities and solves problems in real time while remaining calm, organized, and focused.
• Willing to take ownership of work and contribute to a positive team culture.

Skills

• Event planning and coordination.
• Administrative and organizational skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Time management and prioritization.
• Problem-solving and adaptability.

Benefits

• Flexible schedule, generally Monday - Friday from January to October, then Wednesday - Sunday during the Christkindl Markt season.
• Opportunity to shape one of the region's signature holiday experiences.
• Working alongside a passionate, collaborative team that values creativity, hospitality, and community.

Pay

Details TBD.

Schedule

Generally Monday - Friday from January to October, then Wednesday - Sunday during the Christkindl Markt season.

Physical Capacity

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without mechanical or other assistance. Manual dexterity required to manipulate keyboard, mouse, and other technology.

Time Capacity

Highly skilled in time management and prioritization, able to work on simultaneous projects with tight and varied deadlines.

Why You'll Love Working Here

This is more than an event coordination role. It's an opportunity to help shape one of the region's signature holiday experiences. You'll play an integral role in creating memorable moments for hundreds of thousands of guests while working alongside a passionate, collaborative team that values creativity, hospitality, and community.