Event Manager – Starry Nights

• Location 6903 Great View Drive North,Cordova, TN, 38018,United States
• Base Pay $10,000.00 - $10,000.00 / Year
• Job Category Seasonal
• Employee Type FT Exempt - Seasonal
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others Yes

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) is the nonprofit that manages and cares for Shelby Farms Park and Shelby Farms Greenline in Memphis, TN. SFPC is responsible for daily management, fundraising to meet operational budget needs, setting the vision for the Parks future, and stewarding its natural resources. SFPC team members are committed to our vision of creating a celebrated 21st-century park that defines and shapes a great city and that provides inclusive, equitable, and free access for every resident of the Memphis area.

At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. It features miles of trails, lakes and ponds, a buffalo herd, the Woodland Discovery Playground, the Fed Ex Event Center, a treetop adventure course, a sprayground, and an outdoor stage. It is a treasured asset for Memphis, offering inclusive and free access to all.

Starry Nights is Shelby Farms Park’s annual holiday drive-through light show and the Park’s largest fundraiser, raising critical funding to keep our spaces clean, green, and open every day of the year. The event welcomes more than 100,000 visitors to experience the Park at night in festive lights.

The Event Manager oversees Starry Nights and Afterglow, managing all daily operations, including opening and closing procedures for both the Show and Afterglow, ensuring adherence to Park protocols, and leading a team of Park Ambassadors. This role is key to delivering exceptional guest experiences, maintaining operational standards, and resolving on-site issues so the event runs smoothly. We’re looking for someone who excels in fast-paced environments and can bring holiday magic to life for our guests.

This is a full time seasonal position. Training begins the first week of November, and the Starry Nights season runs November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Managers can expect to work about 40 hours a week, with 6 hour shifts 5 to 6 nights a week.

Oversee and lead a team of Park staff, including Park Ambassadors, Assistant Event Managers, and Show Technicians, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Foster a positive and motivating work environment that supports staff retention and high morale.

Monitor staffing levels based on vehicle volume and adjust as needed to keep the Park staffed in line with our Staffing Standards.

Manage all aspects of daily operations, ensuring efficient logistics and a high standard of guest experience throughout the event.

Lead day-to-day on-site ticketing operations, including the box office, Front of House (FOH), admission scanners, and POS systems.

Ensure efficient vehicle throughput to minimize wait times and prevent congestion in surrounding areas.

Gain a deep understanding of the event’s operational plan to guarantee flawless execution, and be prepared to step into any Park role when needed.

Lead the execution of contingency plans and emergency action protocols, ensuring staff are trained and prepared for a range of scenarios.

Respond to, document, and address issues that arise within the Park.

Ensure operational equipment such as radios, scanners, and iPads is properly maintained, updated, and ready for use.

Keep all equipment and the FOH organized, clean, and ready for daily use.

Ensure merchandise inventory procedures are followed, with accurate nightly counts.

Maintain communication with Afterglow, the Ticket Tent, and all site…