Manager of Events and Production

ABOUT MICHIGAN CENTRAL

Michigan Central is a market-leading hub for advancing new technologies and programs that address barriers to greater social, economic and physical mobility. Michigan Central is both a convening place and a call-to-action—for city, regional, and international inventors and investors; academics and entrepreneurs; civil society voices and government leaders; and business owners and corporate partners—to advance a more sustainable, equitable future through a collaborative approach to mobility solutions.

Building on Detroit's rich history as an engine of change, the transformative Michigan Central project aims to strengthen the city's competitive advantages while inspiring collective action on the most pressing global challenges at the intersection of mobility and society worldwide.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Manager of Events and Production is responsible for selling private events and overseeing their execution, ensuring that each event is flawlessly planned and executed to exceed our clients' expectations.  This role will report directly to our Director of Events and Programming. Key responsibilities include the sales and marketing of The Station at Michigan Central to attract client inquiries and establish The Station as the premier event location in Detroit. The ideal candidate for this role has a proven track record of leading successful events with cross-functional stakeholders in Detroit. The Manager of Events and Production will identify and cultivate client relationships, create tailored event solutions, and ensure seamless execution to exceed client expectations. This position demands a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and hands-on execution; as the Manager of Events and Production, you will oversee the entire event lifecycle, from initial client inquiry to post-event follow-up. The successful candidate will possess a passion for event management, strong sales acumen, and the ability to forge lasting client relationships. You will work closely with clients to understand their vision and needs, translating these into memorable events that highlight the unique features of Michigan Central. This includes leveraging the venue's cutting-edge facilities and technological capabilities to create impactful and engaging events.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working closely with the Director of Events and Programming, you will:

Venue Sales

• Display knowledge of venue narrative, Michigan Central's value proposition and demonstrate market expertise across events and filming.
• Support the sales by taking client walk-throughs, sharing pricing, and walking clients through the operational phases of the event.
• Assist in building customized event packages for different event types (corporate, wedding, social, non-profit, etc.).
• Develop strong relationships with brand, catering, and production partners to encourage repeat business.
• Negotiate pricing and develop contract fluency to close sales.
• Utilize Tripleseat CRM to track, report, and analyze event data.
• Fortify Michigan Central's sales efforts by strategically capturing and memorializing significant moments onsite.
  
  

Venue Operations

• Develop and manage a communication system between Partners (e.g., event calendars, systemized event approvals, monthly progress reports, and quarterly recaps).
• Interface and build rapport with building staff (construction, facilities, operations) whose trust and cooperation allow Michigan Central to coordinate events, film shoots and programming activity within their work areas.
• Maintain and update internal venue systems (ex event checklists, close-out reports, operations schedules). 
• Oversee the execution of The Station at Michigan Central events through comprehensive internal and client-facing checklists.
• Gather associated schedules, insurance policies, and city permits specific to each shoot or event.
• Become fluent in the legalities of hosting an event in Detroit.
• Advise on security and fire safety strategies for each unique production.
• Attend Events and Production strategy meetings, including team meetings, sales meetings, operations meetings, and postmortem reporting.
• Adhere to the Michigan Central procurement process
  
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• You have 4 years of experience in event sales, marketing, and event production.
• You are a creative thinker with a passion for innovation and excellence in event execution.
• You have experience in social and corporate events, including weddings.
• You are highly motivated and results-driven with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• You have an aptitude for sales, i.e., personable, articulate, organized, and proactive.
• You can drive a project plan and work independently.
• You have demonstrated proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Acrobat, InDesign, and Photoshop), Microsoft 365 Products (specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), Sharepoint, and Google Drive.
• You are familiar with sales tools, including Tripleseat, and event ticketing platforms. 
• You are comfortable with a flexible schedule that includes additional hours for on-site operations, including weekends, to reflect activity on-site.
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hospitality and catering experience are not required but are beneficial.
  
  

COMPENSATION & DURATION

This is a 12-month contract position with the possibility of extension based on performance and organizational needs. Please note that this is a consultant opportunity. The salary range for this opportunity is $70k—$80k. This role is NOT eligible for Ford's compensation or benefits. As an external consultant, you will complete work on behalf of Michigan Central.

STATEMENTS

Candidates for positions with Michigan Central must adhere to Ford Motor Company guidelines, including legal authorization to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Michigan Central is built on inclusive values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or protected veteran status.

Full-time positions at Michigan Central are eligible for benefits. Please note that 1099 consultant and/or contract opportunities with Michigan Central are not eligible for the Ford benefits package. Please directly confirm with your recruiter if the position is full-time and eligible for benefits.

Benefits for full-time opportunities:

As part of the Ford family, you'll enjoy excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings, and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more. You'll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

For information on Ford's salary and benefits, please visit:

https://corporate.ford.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en-us/documents/careers/OL-2024-new-hire-benefits-summary-GSR.pdf

Work Requirements:

At Ford, the health and safety of our employees is our top priority. Vaccination has been proven to play a critical role in combatting COVID-19. As a result, Ford has made the decision to require U.S. salaried employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless employees require an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption.

If you have what it takes to help us redefine the future of mobility, we'd love to have you join us!

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000