Events Specialist

Are you someone who loves the outdoors and who wants to ignite that passion in others? Are you a meticulous planner who loves focusing on small details? Great Parks is seeking a creative self-starter to serve as the Events Specialist for its high-profile community-facing experiences. The Events Specialist will bring to life Great Parks’ portfolio of special events and milestone celebrations.

As a key member of the Special Events team, you will help captivate audiences by creating and executing large-scale outdoor experiences; overseeing thematic design, venue coordination and décor to onsite management, guest experience, and sponsorship fulfillment. This position works outside of normal schedule as required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The Events Specialist may perform the following duties: Oversee the full lifecycle — from creative ideation through post-event evaluation — of a portfolio of events designed to increase the visibility of Great Parks in the region. This may include, but is not limited to, large-scale special events and milestone events such as ribbon cutting ceremonies, festivals, and conferences.

Specializes in bringing imaginative, distinctive concepts to life while managing every detail with precision — from thematic design, venue coordination, decor, to printed materials, guest experience, and sponsorship fulfillment. Executes logistics necessary to ensure events are set-up, operate, and are torn-down efficiently and timely; such as purchasing of supplies, packing/transporting/unpacking event supplies and décor (such as tents, tables, weights, etc.)

, delegating duties to staff and volunteers, coordinating vendor arrivals, and troubleshooting. Shares responsibility as serving as on-site, day-of lead for special events and select events and programs. Serve as the primary staff liaison to internal teams as it pertains to special and milestone events; work collaboratively across agency divisions to communicate event updates in a timely manner, request staffing/support, develop and communicate day-of-event staffing schedule, solicit feedback and ideas/concepts, develop and address any potential conflicts or issues.

Shares in team responsibility of serving as a consultant and support entity across the Great Parks ecosystem; meeting with team leads to offer and share guidance, solutions, concepts, and best practices for events and engagement; providing logistical support to internal teams’ events as needed. Sources and schedules rented assets, entertainment, food trucks, etc.

, and ensures all proper licensing, insurance, and contract requirements are received in accordance with Great Parks policies. Provides administrative support for vendor contracts, ensuring timely procurement of necessary licenses and insurance while maintaining organized documentation. Partners with Great Parks’ volunteer department to recruit volunteers for support at events.

Shares responsibility of providing oversight and direction of work tasks to part-time employees and volunteers. Refers all disciplinary issues to the Director of Events. Shares responsibility in maintaining exhibits, displays, equipment and facilities; especially as it pertains to those overseen by Special Events. Refers major repairs or event site issues to appropriate internal divisions or contractors.

Prepares event descriptions, registration/ticket pages, and content for the Website Manager and Marketing & Brand Strategy team to aid in marketing and promotional efforts. Coordinates with the Website Manager and Internal Content Coordinator to update and change event website pages and calendars for each event. Coordinates with the Marketing Project Manager to design and develop event signage and other visual elements.

Coordinates with the Marketing Project Manager during the development of copy for public-facing special event materials such as brochures, press releases, website pages, program guides, and annual reports. Works with the Director of Events to create and maintain up-to-date individual event budgets, tracking expenses and revenue to ensure events are executed within approved budget limits.

Shares in team responsibility in working with the Director of Events to design and administer trainings for full-time employees, part-time employees, and volunteers across all Great Parks divisions. Shares in responsibility for cash transactions, collects and deposits program and event fees. Complies with all cash handling policies and enforces cash control procedures, including POS operation, daily deposits, shift/change tills, required logs, and cash audits.

Supports the development and implementation of an event evaluation process. Collects feedback and data to support continuous improvement efforts for future events. Shares in team responsibility in proactively identifying and assisting in resolving logistical challenges related to event execution, ensuring smooth operations.

Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Performs job duties in accordance with Great Parks’ policies, procedures and performance expectations. Maintains confidentiality of confidential and sensitive information.

Performs other job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Hospitality, Event Management, Marketing, Public Relations or related field minimum of 3 years of experience working in events, marketing, community relations, and/or public relations.

Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements. LICENSE OF CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License that meets GPHC current carrier guidelines.

We offer an excellent benefit package that includes medical, dental and life insurance; paid vacation, 11 holidays and sick time; enrollment in Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and free or discounted use of many Great Parks recreational activities. Great Parks is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or any other classification protected under applicable law.