Events & Project Specialist - Greater Des Moines Partnership

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Events & Project Specialist works under the supervision of the Director of Events and plays a crucial role in planning, coordinating, assisting and executing a wide range of events and projects that contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the Greater Des Moines region (DSM) and Downtown DSM. The Events and Project Specialist will collaborate with various internal stakeholders, vendors, and partners to ensure the successful implementation and execution of each necessary step in the event and/or project's plan.

The Events & Project Specialist is an energetic, self-starter and proven team player with interpersonal skills and expertise to work with multiple stakeholders and support multiple events/projects at one time. This individual has strong communication skills, project management skills and is detail-oriented with a passion for making DSM vibrant through positive, memorable experiences.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Supports the Downtown Farmers' Market by executing and leading one Market per month during The Market season of May through October.
• Manages the Saturday Salutes program at The Market with necessary scheduling and communications.
• Manages the entertainers for The Market and coordinates all appropriate communications accordingly.
• Works closely with Chief of Staff and Investor Relations regarding Investor events needs, production and planning.
  • This includes tracking, event creation and potential additional needs within our CRM software - ChamberMaster.
• Supports the Spark DSM Incubator program needs. Examples include; supporting the recruitment of new businesses, one-on-one meetings with businesses owners, obtain documentation needed to vend at events, schedules businesses at events, supports vendor onsite needs, etc.
• Supports and works on site at all Downtown events, including marquee events, activations, Investor events and other projects/events throughout the organization.
• This includes, but is not limited to the Downtown Farmers' Market, World Food & Music Festival, Holiday Promenade, Out to Lunch, Annual Dinner and others.
• Organizes and executes production related to event execution and needs.
• Assists in securing and managing vendor relations, including food vendors, beverage vendors, artists, entertainers, producers and farmers.
• Works closely with Communications and Marketing team on Downtown blogs and storytelling ideas, as well as the marketing and promotion of all events.
• This includes ensuring all events are listed on The Partnership's website by creating them in The Partnership's ChamberMaster software.
• Acts as an Events Team Lead to all other internal areas of work regarding signature and Investor events. This includes providing insight regarding production and logistics.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Team player with a positive attitude.  
• Ability to create and activate comprehensive, detailed project and event plans including a variety of partners in a collaborative way.  
• Events and sponsor activation experience.  
• Strong communicator that is detail and process oriented. 
• Strong event planning and scheduling abilities.
• Flexible and adaptable style.  
• Highly self-motivated.  

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred bachelor's degree in events planning, marketing, communications, journalism, public relations and/or related discipline.
• Prefer event planning, production and/or execution experience.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 products, including Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Excel and Word.
• Written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to articulate the organization's philosophy and position to a wide range of audiences.