Objective:
The Boston Athenaeum brings people together and connects them in unexpected
ways with books, art, ideas, and each other. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Events Manager helps fulfill this mission by planning, organizing, and executing diverse programs and events that foster community engagement and cultural enrichment, broaden and diversify BA’s audience base, enhance support for the BA, drive increased visitation, and deliver exceptional member and visitor experiences.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development: Design and implement a comprehensive annual calendar of programs and events that align with the Athenæum’s mission and strategic goals. Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and attention to detail in designing and delivering exceptional event experiences and offerings.
Audience Engagement: In collaboration with the membership, development, curatorial, and education departments, develop and implement strategies to broaden and diversify the Athenaeum’s audience base, enhance support for the BA, drive increased visitation, and deliver exceptional member and visitor experiences.
Event Management: Oversee all aspects of internal event logistics to ensure seamless execution, including venue setup, technology requirements, catering, staffing, attendee management, and follow-up.
Facility Rentals: With the BA's catering partner, ensure the rental program balances the interests and expectations of our catering partner and the Athenaeum.
Partnerships and Outreach: Cultivate and nurture relationships with external partners, speakers, authors, and organizations to develop collaborative programming and enhance the institution’s visibility and reach.
Marketing and Promotion: Collaborate with the marketing department to develop promotional strategies and materials to maximize event attendance and engagement.
Budget Management: Develop and manage program and event budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource use and adherence to financial guidelines.
Evaluation and Reporting: Assess program effectiveness through feedback and evaluation methods, providing regular reports and recommendations for improvement to senior management.
Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor a staff of two, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree
Minimum of 5 years of experience in program and event management, preferably within a cultural or educational institution.
Strong leadership skills with proven experience in managing and motivating a team.
Demonstrate a proactive and creative mindset, capable of strategic thinking and innovation.
Well-developed emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills for dealing with a full range of event participants and handling extensive public contact with courtesy, tact, discretion, and judgment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
A strong grasp of financial fundamentals to set and manage a budget and report on key performance indicators.
Familiarity with event management software, CRM platforms, and digital tools.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required.
Energetic, flexible, with a terrific sense of humor.
Quick learner; able to function, act independently, and work well with people in a team environment.
A high degree of cultural competency with an ability to understand and interpret lived experiences different from one’s own in designing events that reflect the community and constituency the event serves.
A positive, can-do attitude coupled with a creative and innovative approach to programming. Flexibility and the ability to lead through authority and influence are paramount.
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
Salary: $72,000-$82,000/year
Why work at the Boston Athenaeum?
Beyond the opportunity to work amongst the collections at one of the most distinguished libraries in the nation alongside a passionate and welcoming team, working at the Boston Athenaeum comes with plenty of other perks. Some of our benefits include:
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume
The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates who will increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. The Boston Athenæum is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact HR Generalist Nora Conley at 617-720-7630 or conley@bostonathenaeum.org