Pt “Garden of Lights Nightly Event Manager

This is a temporary, seasonal, part‑time position with hours increasing significantly during the event period.

The Garden of Lights Nightly Event Manager plays a key leadership role in the successful execution of one of the college’s premier community engagement events hosted at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. This position includes two phases of responsibility: pre‑event planning and development (July–November) and on‑site event management during event nights.

• Provide direct supervision and coordination of all event staff, contractors, and volunteers—up to 60 individuals per night—ensuring alignment with event goals, service standards, and operational procedures.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Pre‑Event hours vary based on project needs; event phase requires consistent evening and weekend availability.

• Work with VP of Engagement and other Nightly Event Managers to:
• Establish event policies (ticketing, safety, guest experience) and ensure consistent implementation.
• Establish and ensure compliance with safety codes, ADA accessibility, and emergency preparedness plans.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for daily event operations.
• Develop and oversee guest experience strategy, including way finding, signage, and service standards.
• Design and implement crowd flow and queue management plans.
• Identify, solicit, and secure sponsor ships and donations for the event.
• Develop sponsorship packages and recognition benefits.
• Maintain relationships with sponsors and ensure fulfillment of benefits.
• Coordinate sponsor visibility on‑site (signage, displays, activations).
• Collaborate with SCC Foundation on donor engagement strategies.
• Plan sponsor appreciation activities and communications.
• Assist with ordering and vendor identification.
• Coordinate training for frontline staff on customer service expectations and procedures.
• Coordinate scheduling of nightly staff to ensure adequate staffing coverage for night’s anticipated attendance.

May include other duties as they arise assigned by the VP of Engagement.

• Champions a welcoming, inclusive, and high‑quality guest experience aligned with the college’s mission and community values.
• Supervise and coordinate work of all event staff, contractors, and volunteers.
• Monitor on‑site operations during event nights and make real‑time decisions to resolve issues.
• Ensure adherence to all safety protocols and coordinate with security personnel on incident response and emergency situations.
• Address and resolve guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery needs in real time.
• Ensure accessibility and inclusion for all guests, including ADA accommodations.
• Monitor guest feedback and implement improvements throughout event duration.
• Oversee lost‑and‑found, guest assistance, and emergency response communication protocols.
• Supervise setup and teardown/clean‑up crews and ensure timelines are met.

• Analyze event performance (attendance, revenue, feedback) and produce post‑event evaluation reports.
• Assist with post‑event evaluation and debriefing working with the Event Management team and VP of Engagement to develop plans for next year’s event.
• Success in this role will be measured by event attendance, guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, revenue outcomes, and effective coordination of staff and volunteers.

• INTEGRITY – Demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical behavior, honesty, and transparency in all interactions within the college. Upholds the college's values, policies, and standards, and serves as a role model for others.
• EXCELLENCE – Strives to achieve the highest standards of quality in all aspects of work, demonstrating dedication to continuous improvement, delivering quality results, and contributing to the overall success of the college and its mission.
• RESPECT – Demonstrates an appreciation for the dignity of individuals within the college. Treats students, colleagues, and community members with kindness, fairness, and…