Community Events & Development Manager
City of Sun Prairie of Parks, Recreation & Forestry

Job Description
The Community Events & Development Manager is responsible for the oversight, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of a variety of City-sponsored community events as well as developing and coordinating sponsorship, partnership, and alternative revenue source opportunities for the City of Sun Prairie. This position is also responsible for the plans to execute events including logistics, contracts with entertainment, vendor relations, marketing plans, volunteer recruitment, supplies, event permits, event safety plans, etc. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Park, Recreation & Forestry (PRF) in collaboration with the Recreation Director. The role requires cross-collaboration across different PRF divisions and City departments.

The intended hiring range of this position is $67,620.80 - $79,456.00 Annually depending on experience and qualifications. The full pay scale for this position is: $67,620.80 - $91,294.69 Annually.

Essential Job Functions:

Community Event Management – 50%

• Develops, organizes, implements, and oversees community wide and program-specific community events on behalf of the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department.
• Works with City staff and internal event committees to coordinate, facilitate, and promote community events.
• Manages, coordinates, and oversees community events promotion including but not limited to social media, email blasts, press releases, digital advertising, and print. 
• Oversees and manages all community event budgets.
• Develops and maintains an overall community event strategy and plan identifying the “why,” the impact, and evaluating resources for all PRF community events.
• Develops and maintains community partnerships to facilitate and augment community events.
• Evaluates risk and manages liability for community events and volunteers and recommends necessary action.
• Works with public safety departments to develop and implement event safety plans and emergency action plans.
• Evaluates events and makes recommendations for improvement; seeks input from the public, staff and volunteers.
• Works with City departments to secure necessary permits and permissions.
• Serve as the liaison to the internal City Communications team for the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. 
• Obtains quotes for professional services needed on related projects; serves as liaison with professional service providers as needed.
• Secures and schedules facilities as needed.
• Organizes and assists with the preparation of, set up and take down for events; directs work of parks and other support staff in the preparation, setup and takedown of events.
• Utilizes seasonal employees and volunteers to assist with community events; recruits, trains, schedules and evaluates seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Participates in monthly PRF Department Leadership Team meetings as well as bi-monthly Recreation Division team meetings.
• Serves as point of contact at community events; may require weekend and holiday work hours.

• Develops sponsorship programs for community events, programs and projects; pursues and secures sponsorships and donations from businesses and private donors to support the events, programs and projects.
• Develops and maintains community relationships to maximize community support for City services.
• Designs, implements and evaluates a resource development strategy for the city.
• Serves as the City sponsorship contract manager.
• Researches and identifies potential sponsors and partners based on their giving strategies and the relevance to City needs.
• Coordinates and implements all sponsorship development efforts.
• Responsible for the drafting, implementation and monitoring of agreements for sponsorships, ensuring performance by both the city and the sponsor.
• Collects funds due based on contracts or sponsorship agreements.
• Act as liaison for various new projects that require fundraising activity.
• Monitors key performance indicators to assess return on investment for sponsors and the community.
• Performs other related job duties as required.

Qualifications
Requirements of Work:
Bachelor’s degree in Recreation/Parks Management, Communications, Event Planning, Fund Raising, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field is desired. A minimum of three years of experience in the coordination of resource development, fundraising and/or planning of special events, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of resource development principles related to government and/or non-profit services.
• Knowledge of methods and principals involved in the planning and organization of community events.
• Knowledge of the general use of office equipment including computers, smartphones, and relevant software programs.
• Knowledge effective marketing techniques.

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload; manage and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, community business partners, private donors and the general public.
• Ability to maintain appropriate records and files related to community events and sponsorship records.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and community needs.

• Skill in oral and written communications, public relations, networking, and relationship building.
• Skill in data analysis and reporting.
• Skill in contract negotiation.

• Requires a valid WI driver’s license or ability to obtain one within one month of hire.

• Work is performed under general office conditions as well as outdoors for certain community events; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. 
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee may be occasionally exposed to adverse weather conditions such as heat, cold, wetness and humidity.
• Work hours may vary as attendance at community events is expected; this may require evenings, weekends and /or holidays.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Salary/Salary Range
$67,620.80 - $79,456.00 Annually

Apply To
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Closing Date
April 6, 2025