Event Manager

Event Manager, Free Times & Post and Courier Columbia

& Co-Director, Columbia Food and Wine Festival

South Carolina Event Production (SCEP), a subsidiary of The Post and Courier, is in search of an Events Manager to spearhead the development, planning and execution of numerous events annually for The Post and Courier Columbia and Free Times. The primary objective will be to deliver high-quality, experiential events, attract new audiences and drive event revenue. This role entails orchestrating a variety of events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, catering to both The Post and Courier initiatives and external clients engaging SCEPs event for hire services. Events organized by this position include the Free Times Best of Columbia party, Columbia Food and Wine Festival, some expansion market events (Greenville, Spartanburg, Pee Dee) and more. This position serves as the co-director for the Columbia Food and Wine Festival.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage multiple events per year from conception through execution, overseeing, expense management, revenue generation, promotional efforts and event execution.
• Direct overall operations with event coordinators (full time employees and contractors), vendors and partners including the effective and management of labor, productivity, cost efficiency, quality control and safety measures for each event.
• Supervise vendor agreements and fulfill certificate of insurance need requirements for all events organized by South Carolina Event Productions.
• Oversee budget management, focusing on attaining target GOP objectives.
• Work with sales team to prospect for businesses who will benefit from aligning their company’s brand with events to reach their target audiences through event sponsorships and partnerships.
• Collaborate with sales team to develop sponsorship ideas and to execute once they are sold.
• Oversee management of any events hiring South Carolina Event Production to produce events (event for hire).
• Join The Post and Courier’s marketing and events team in execution of Post and Courier branded reader events in the Columbia and surrounding regions as needed.
• Supervise on-site set-up, dismantle, and management of suppliers/vendors involved.
• Achieve targeted objectives for event revenue and profit.
• Establish and cultivate a volunteer program to assist with multiple events across the state.
• Continually prospect for new partners and vendors through networking, other events, online research, social media and other competitive media.
• Facilitate communication with clients and all involved parties to ensure effective coordination.
• Develop and manage event budgets to achieve maximum profitability.
• Serve as point of contact for all operations and logistics in the advertising, marketing and event department. Work closely cross department to ensure logistics run smoothly and efficiently.
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external customers and business partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements, minimum education level, and experience:

• BS/BA in event management, hospitality, marketing or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Proven experience in event planning and management, with a strong portfolio of successful events.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in event management software tools.
• Ability to work independently remotely, if necessary, in a suitable workspace that meets safety guidelines.
• Reliable access to internet service.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to plan and execute multiple events throughout the year.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and within a collaborative, team-based environment.
• Excellent planning, time management, and organizational skills with incredible attention to detail.
• Strong work ethic with ability to prioritize and multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent presentation skills, communication, interpersonal, problem solving and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage budgets. Strong math skills with the ability to organize, analyze and interpret data.
• Social media savvy.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to quickly learn and become proficient in new technology.
• Ability to effectively learn and acquire new knowledge and skills.
• Ability to react to change productively.