Assistant Director of Events & Visitor Experience

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Compensation

Type:
Salary
Rate:
Range $44,700.00 - $89,800.00
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Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement
403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match
medical plans including dental and vision
100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability
Generous paid time off (PTO)
sick and personal days
11 paid holidays

Job Description

Grace Farms is a distinguished center for culture and collaboration nestled in the picturesque town of New Canaan, Connecticut. Sprawled across 80 acres of pristine natural landscapes, Grace Farms is a unique institution that blends the beauty of nature with the transformative power of arts, justice, community, and faith. The centerpiece of this sanctuary is the architecturally significant SANAA-designed River building, which embodies the organization’s commitment to creating spaces that inspire peace, reflection, and engagement. Beyond its role as a cultural hub, Grace Farms actively champions humanitarian causes, most notably spearheading the Design for Freedom movement aimed at eradicating forced... Show More

Job Requirements

  • bachelor's degree
  • minimum of five years of experience in a public-facing service industry
  • at least three years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a public-facing environment
  • ability to lift up to 25 lbs
  • ability to stand or walk for extended periods
  • ability to navigate stairs and outdoor conditions
  • ability to work onsite 5 days per week with flexibility to work weekends and events

Job Qualifications

  • bachelor's degree
  • minimum of five years of experience in a public-facing service industry
  • preferred experience in catering, visitor services, event production, hospitality, or cultural programming
  • not-for-profit experience at a museum or cultural attraction greatly preferred
  • at least three years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a public-facing environment
  • demonstrated excellence in customer service, training, and team development
  • highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously
  • strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
  • familiarity with ticketing, CRM, and scheduling software
  • experience with similar systems is a plus
  • experience working in mission-driven, nonprofit, arts, or cultural environments strongly preferred
  • comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced, and evolving setting with varying levels of complexity
  • ability to work onsite 5 days per week with flexibility to work weekends and events

Job Duties

  • oversee the planning and execution of mission-aligned public and private programs, performances, and internal events in partnership with the Events team
  • supervise a team of event coordinators
  • assign leads and manage workflows based on event scope and audience
  • collaborate cross-functionally with internal initiative leaders, the technical team, and the catering team to ensure seamless delivery of events
  • participate in technical walkthroughs and coordinate production elements, hospitality needs, artist/talent relations, and day-of logistics
  • serve as liaison between programming teams and front-of-house staff of the Grace Farms culinary team to ensure alignment and success in event execution
  • support both front-of-house and back-of-house coordination for in-house catering, including menu planning, staffing, and vendor communication
  • manage and maintain relationships with preferred caterers and event vendors
  • support contracting and compliance
  • provide high-level oversight for food and beverage service during programs and large-scale events
  • serve as project manager for complex or signature events, including anniversary celebrations and donor-focused programs
  • oversee, actively supervise, and support the daily operations of the Visitor Experience (VE) team, ensuring each guest receives exceptional hospitality from arrival to departure from each VE team member
  • hire, train, coach, manage, and mentor full-time and part-time staff and supervisors
  • conduct regular performance evaluations and provide regular and ongoing feedback
  • ensure the presentation, staffing, signage, and cleanliness of all public spaces are in accordance with Grace Farms' aesthetic and operational and safety standards
  • respond to guest feedback and escalated concerns with professionalism and care, implementing improvements as needed
  • foster a collaborative culture of continual learning, hospitality, and service excellence
  • ensure daily staffing, ticketing, scheduling, and registration systems (including Ticketure and Classy) run smoothly and align with guest needs
  • oversee visitor access, membership support, and concierge services in collaboration with Advancement and Marketing teams
  • approve timesheets, schedule staff, track PTO, and provide logistical and HR support as needed

Job Location

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