Events and Program Manager

Madison's Central Business Improvement District

Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) is located on an isthmus between two beautiful lakes and anchored by the Wisconsin State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin campus, Madison’s unique shopping, dining, entertainment and business district is home to hundreds of shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs and taverns, many locally-owned, plus museums and cultural destinations.

The BID works to market the district, create a welcoming downtown environment, and further community relations. The BID works as a liaison between District businesses and property owners, the City of Madison, and other downtown stakeholder groups including Downtown Madison, Inc. (DMI), the Greater State Street Business Association (GSSBA), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Downtown Coordinating Committee, Capitol Neighborhoods, downtown arts and cultural organizations and others.

http://www.visitdowntownmadison.com

Position Details

Events and Program Manager
Job
Full-time
2/28/2024
Southwest Wisconsin
Madison, WI

The Events and Program Manager for Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) partners with the City of Madison, local businesses, arts groups, cultural organizations and non-profit partners on a wide range of activities and events in the State Street, Capitol Square and King Street areas of downtown Madison. Events and activities are designed to activate public spaces and welcome the entire community, ranging from vendor markets, arts demos, craft activities, street performers, holiday celebrations and unique events that encourage shopping and dining local. This is a community-building position that requires consistent engagement with local business owners and key downtown stakeholders, in support of the BID’s mission to provide a welcoming environment for all to enjoy.

Events and Programming:

  • Book and manage a regular schedule of activities, events and programs within budget
  • Manages hourly staff and volunteers 
  • Submits applications, forms and reports 
  • Implement pre-booked activities; identify and book additional as needed 
  • Coordinate with BID Board of Directors and BID partners, including: City staff, arts and culture organizations, small businesses, and community groups 
  • Coordinate with activity providers including performers, artists, and vendors 
  • Coordinate necessary permits with the City and activity/program providers 
  • Work with Executive Director to create sponsorship opportunities for BID events 
  • Ability to go from working in an office environment to outdoors for onsite event management 
  • Development of new events and program 
  • Oversees the execution of a City contract 
  • Managing contractors where relevant 
  • Project managing the Madison Night Market 

Marketing and Community Building: 

  • Communicates daily with business owners about events, programming, promotions and available resources 
  • Event promotion, and other related duties 
  • Social media promotion and management 
  • Full management of multiple Facebook accounts, Instagram accounts, a LinkedIn account, a YouTube account, and more to be added in future 
  • Keeps accounts updated with regular posts to promote downtown in general, downtown businesses, partner events within downtown, and BID events/programs/promotions 
  • Photography and videography at events 
  • Maintains relevant parts of the org website 
  • Manages in house graphic design – knowledge of Canva or other similar software preferred 
  • Supports the Executive Director in publishing press releases 
  • Consistent relationship building with partner organizations 
  • Newsletter management – weekly internal updates, monthly public updates, as well as growth of the newsletter audience 
  • Attends relevant City and partner meetings Manages an events sub-committee for the Board of Directors
  • Experience programming and managing events and activities (e.g., community, arts, crafts, music, culture, retail, food). 
  • Grass-roots marketing and social media skills 
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills 
  • Ability to work with a diverse range of partners, businesses and event attendees 
  • Strong organizational skills 
  • Ability to hit the ground running, work independently, and manage multiple tasks and priorities 
  • Ability to move quickly between the office and outdoor event venues, set up a vendor tent and chairs, and lift 25 lbs. 
  • Experience with PA systems a big plus Familiarity with downtown Madison

Status: Full-Time, Exempt, reports to Executive Director (The responsibilities of this position call primarily for in-person presence in the downtown community and at BID office, including occasional weekends and evenings for event staffing)

Estimated Start Date: April 1, 2024

Compensation: $55,000 - $63,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: comprehensive package including 401(K), health, dental, vision, transit/parking provided, generous PTO package and more


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