Managing Director of Events & Exhibits

About The Job

This is a 12-month, 100% time position located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN. Reporting to the Arboretum’s Executive Director and working as part of the Arboretum’s Leadership Team, the Managing Director of Events & Exhibits provides strategic oversight and operational leadership for a centralized approach to managing the Arboretum’s public festivals and events, special exhibits, and private group rentals.

Job Duties / Responsibilities (40%)

• Define and champion a creative and coordinated vision for a world-class event portfolio that elevates the Arboretum’s mission, inspires diverse audiences, and cultivates meaningful connection.
• Direct and ensure excellence in the planning, execution, and evaluation of events, exhibits, conferences, and community engagement initiatives.
• Partner with the marketing and communications team to develop promotional materials and messaging to generate interest in public events and private group rentals.
• Establish and steward the annual event calendar, themes, and program objectives in collaboration with departmental leaders to balance operational capacities.
• Serve as the primary event point of contact for internal departments, community partners, and applicable sponsors; communicate progress, manage expectations, and address any issues.
• Establish benchmarks and key performance indicators, lead post-event evaluations with marketing and communications, gather feedback and analyze data to assess the event portfolio success and inform future improvements.

Financial & Operational Oversight (35%)

• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners to manage all logistical elements, including on-site setup and breakdown, health and safety compliance, and day-of-event management.
• Oversee event budgets, vendor and private rental contracts and external partnerships to ensure financial accountability and cost-effective operations.
• Drive financial performance and portfolio sustainability across events and exhibits, track expenses, and align spending with strategic priorities.
• Design, implement, and optimize systems for event management, documentation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure event operations comply with applicable safety, accessibility, and risk management standards.
• Ensure compliance with University policies related to data privacy and data security, including the responsible use of event-related information technology systems such as ticketing, registration platforms, constituent relationship management tools, and third-party vendor technologies.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration (25%)

• Lead, manage, and mentor the event project management team; currently eight full time staff as well as peak season supplemental employees.
• Cultivate and model a work culture that values significant volunteer engagement and participation to assist with all levels of event execution.
• Lead a collaborative, high-accountability team culture that emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, clarity, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Build and steward relationships with sponsors, community organizations, cultural institutions, and other partners to support inclusive, mission-aligned programming.
• Advance outreach strategies that broaden participation and reflect the Arboretum’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.