Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
holiday time off
SafeHarbor 401k with 4% company match
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
Parking Pass
Job Description
Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) is a dynamic, mission-driven 501(c)4 organization dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving urban core in the heart of Sioux Falls. With a strategic focus on placemaking, storytelling, and community partnerships, DTSF plays a critical role in activating the city's center to foster economic growth, cultural enrichment, and urban vitality. The organization manages the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), facilitating programs that maintain downtown's cleanliness, safety, and welcoming atmosphere. DTSF's comprehensive work encompasses economic development, public space activation, marketing, advocacy, and residential attraction, all aimed at enhancing the downtown experience for residents, businesses, visitors, and civic leaders alike.
The Activation & Events Manager role at DTSF is a pivotal position responsible for spearheading the planning, execution, and enhancement of DTSF's signature events and year-round activation initiatives. This full-time, exempt role reports directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and is based on-site, requiring availability not only during regular business hours from Monday to Friday but also for evening, weekend, and holiday events. The ideal candidate brings a high level of motivation, energy, and attention to detail, thriving on continuous feedback and actively seeking innovative approaches to enhance existing programs while developing new experiences that stimulate downtown's economic and cultural landscape.
The successful Activation & Events Manager will excel in project management, relationship development, and logistical coordination. They will lead the orchestration of memorable events aligned with DTSF's mission, ensuring seamless participant experiences by managing vendors, sponsors, and programmatic elements. The position demands strong operational oversight, including the ownership of backend systems and workflows, compliance with permitting and safety regulations, meticulous budget management, and data-driven evaluation of event success. This role is essential in driving foot traffic and economic activity downtown, empowering community engagement, and fostering a thriving urban environment through strategic event programming and volunteer mobilization. The manager will build and sustain a robust volunteer corps to support event activities, thereby enhancing organizational capacity and efficiency. Physical aspects of the role include occasional heavy lifting and exposure to outdoor weather conditions during major events such as Riverfest and the Parade of Lights, which are designated blackout dates for paid time off. Through this leadership position, the Activation & Events Manager directly contributes to DTSF's mission of creating a lively, connected, and prosperous downtown that benefits all stakeholders involved. The position offers a full suite of benefits including health insurance fully covered by the employer, paid time off, holiday time off, a 401k plan with company match, dental and vision insurance, cell phone stipend or company phone, and parking pass, supporting the wellbeing and professional growth of its team members.
The Activation & Events Manager role at DTSF is a pivotal position responsible for spearheading the planning, execution, and enhancement of DTSF's signature events and year-round activation initiatives. This full-time, exempt role reports directly to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and is based on-site, requiring availability not only during regular business hours from Monday to Friday but also for evening, weekend, and holiday events. The ideal candidate brings a high level of motivation, energy, and attention to detail, thriving on continuous feedback and actively seeking innovative approaches to enhance existing programs while developing new experiences that stimulate downtown's economic and cultural landscape.
The successful Activation & Events Manager will excel in project management, relationship development, and logistical coordination. They will lead the orchestration of memorable events aligned with DTSF's mission, ensuring seamless participant experiences by managing vendors, sponsors, and programmatic elements. The position demands strong operational oversight, including the ownership of backend systems and workflows, compliance with permitting and safety regulations, meticulous budget management, and data-driven evaluation of event success. This role is essential in driving foot traffic and economic activity downtown, empowering community engagement, and fostering a thriving urban environment through strategic event programming and volunteer mobilization. The manager will build and sustain a robust volunteer corps to support event activities, thereby enhancing organizational capacity and efficiency. Physical aspects of the role include occasional heavy lifting and exposure to outdoor weather conditions during major events such as Riverfest and the Parade of Lights, which are designated blackout dates for paid time off. Through this leadership position, the Activation & Events Manager directly contributes to DTSF's mission of creating a lively, connected, and prosperous downtown that benefits all stakeholders involved. The position offers a full suite of benefits including health insurance fully covered by the employer, paid time off, holiday time off, a 401k plan with company match, dental and vision insurance, cell phone stipend or company phone, and parking pass, supporting the wellbeing and professional growth of its team members.
Job Requirements
- 3+ years of event planning experience
- 3+ years of volunteer management experience
- 3+ years of project management experience
- Ability to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Physical ability to perform heavy lifting and stand for prolonged periods
- Experience with Neon CRM or similar platforms preferred
- Strong organizational and communication skills
Job Qualifications
- 3+ years of event planning experience
- 3+ years of volunteer management experience
- 3+ years of project management experience
- College degree preferred
Job Duties
- Plan, execute, and continuously improve DTSF’s signature events and year-round activations, ensuring they drive foot traffic, economic impact, and community engagement
- Recruit, train, and manage a reliable team of volunteers to support event setup, execution, and tear-down, expanding organizational capacity and reducing staff burden
- Recruit, curate, and manage event participants including vendors, performers, artists, and businesses to ensure high-quality experiences and maximize event revenue through booth sales, registrations, and program participation
- Build and maintain event registration and participation systems in Neon CRM and related platforms, ensuring smooth workflows, accurate rosters, strong customer experience, and timely communication
- Lead all event logistics including permitting, contracts, infrastructure, run-of-show development, public safety coordination, vendor onboarding, and onsite troubleshooting
- Manage event budgets, aligning expenses with organizational priorities and driving revenue growth through participation fees, sponsorship integration, and strategic programming
- Evaluate event performance and implement improvements, compiling insights, testing new concepts, and proposing innovative programming that aligns with DTSF’s mission and downtown advocacy goals
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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