Community Program Manager

About the role

This unclassified position plans, implements and promotes city events and specialized programming that enhances resident and visitor experiences by managing a comprehensive and detailed program calendar and collaborating with staff and community organizations to create successful events or programs that add value to the community. This position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships to accomplish the city’s goals and assisting city boards as their work relates to community events. Due to the nature of the job duties, this position qualifies as FLSA-exempt and not entitled to overtime compensation. Work is performed under the general direction of the director. This position will manage Community Programs personnel.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, executes and coordinates programs, events, classes, festivals, groundbreakings, ceremonial functions, and similar activities, including planning, set up, clean up, supply management, food and all related tasks to ensure successful execution of programs and events.
• Coordinates with vendors, suppliers, and contractors that provide the operations, functions, and resources necessary to ensure programming is safe, entertaining, well-publicized, and on budget.
• Leads an internal, cross-functional team to coordinate internal and external event permitting and support; manages staff requiring training, coaching and evaluating employee performance, scheduling and approving overtime, recommending and implementing disciplinary action if necessary.
• In conjunction with the city’s communications and marketing team, develops creative advertising for events and programs to communicate program offerings and attract participants, volunteers, and sponsors.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual operating budget; performs various accounting tasks, including budget tracking, revenue reconciliation, financial reporting, invoicing, and refunds.
• Negotiates, secures, and manages contracts with event suppliers and professional service providers.
• Recruits and manages volunteers and directs their work to further the goals of city events.
• Plans, manages, and directs overall development and implementation of community programs, including but not limited to educational programs, senior programs, and the Community Connectors program.
• Designs and implements new methods and outreach strategies to promote city and partner programming and events to ensure broad community visibility, awareness and participation.
• Coordinates with partners such as the New Albany Joint Parks District on community programming with a specific focus on senior programs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Hospitality Management, Parks & Recreation, or other relevant field and more than five years’ relevant experience, including progressive experience managing or supervising staff; a Master’s Degree is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A valid Ohio driver’s license is required. Pre-employment drug screen required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of: marketing and public relations strategies, practices, principles; event industry standards and practices; strategic communications, marketing, public relations, and the latest communication trends; governmental or nonprofit operations preferred.
• Ability to: coordinate projects and organize groups of people to achieve desired result; work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; think analytically and independently problem solve; be creative in coming up with new ideas and solutions; deliver excellent customer service; receive feedback to improve events and programs; collaborate with team members and to manage simultaneous projects involving internal and external team members; accurately record and deliver information, meet deadlines, and maintain confidentiality of restricted information; use independent judgment, common sense, and principals of influence and rational systems in the performance of tasks; develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, community partners, public officials, vendors and the general public; maintain personal composure and tactfully handle difficult situations and interpret questions correctly; behave in a friendly, understanding, helpful and professional manner with coworkers, supervisors and the general public; to work outside normal business hours at outdoor events, in inclement weather, as necessary to achieve objectives; walk, sit or stand for extended periods of time; lift, push, pull light weighted objects; have regular and predictable attendance.
• Skill in: written and verbal communication; using social media for marketing, public relations and professional communications; composing various types of correspondence using proper grammar, punctuation, and appropriate style; using computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop; reviewing detailed records for accuracy; coordinating work between work units; problem solving using rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems; anticipating hidden problems or obstacles and planning in advance to overcome in order to achieve goals.