The Downtown Ithaca Alliance is currently looking for a new Special Events Director for immediate hire.
Position Description
This position is charged with the planning and execution of the various festivals and special events of the organization. This is a full-time, exempt position requiring supervision and oversight of temporary employees, volunteers, and interns. The position requires knowledge of budgeting, event planning and management, and volunteer coordination.
The Special Events Director shall report directly to the Executive Director and shall prepare budgets and plans for each event. The Special Events Director will work with the Executive Director and Marketing Director on obtaining needed sponsorships for events.
The Special Events Director will also staff the Special Events Committee of the DIA and provide support and technical assistance as required for the DIA’s Festivals contract with the Strategic Tourism Planning Board. The Special Events Director will work with the Executive Director and other staff to recommend an annual roster of events. The Special Events Director will cultivate and maintain close working relationships with City staff that are involved with the special events process.
The major events of the organization currently are:
- The Ithaca Festival craft fair
- The Summer Concert series
- The Apple Harvest Festival
- The Holiday/Winter Festival and related activities
- The Chili Cook- Off
- Any special purpose event (such as the Commons Reopening Gala)
The smaller events of the organization currently are:
- Office Worker Week
- Downtown Living tour
- Oktoberfest
- Halloween
- Restaurant Week
- Gallery Nights
This list of major and smaller events is subject to change.
The Special Events Director will also serve as a secondary staff person for the following activities/tasks:
- Working with Conferences
- Annual dinner
- Strategic Tourism Planning Board contract
- Summer sale
- Restaurant weeks
- Gallery nights
The Special Events Director is an integral part of the DIA staff team and is expected to be knowledgeable and conversant with all of the programs and activities of the organization. As a team member, the Special Events Director will provide temporary assistance as required to support other project, programs, and activities of the organization.
The successful candidate will possess most, if not all, of the following attributes:
- Background in event planning
- Capacity to manage large scale public events
- Creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative
- Someone who can work in a team environment
- Ability to work with and recruit volunteers
- Ability to prepare and execute budgets
Salary Range: $35,000-$45,000, based on qualifications, plus benefits.
Organization Description
The Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District (IDBID), is a State of New York chartered 501c3 not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion, and management of downtown Ithaca. The IDBID operates as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA). The following vision statement guides the work and operation of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance: “Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural heart of Tompkins County. The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District will strive to preserve and develop the central downtown core as the region’s center for banking and finance, business and professional offices, government and community services, downtown residences, and as a retail destination highlighted by specialty shops, restaurants, arts and entertainment. Downtown serves people who live and work downtown, city and county residents, college communities, area visitors and tourists.” The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District was founded in 1997. It is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors and operates with the following staff: A full-time Executive Director (Gary Ferguson); a full-time Marketing Director (Vicki Taylor); a full-time Events Manager (TBD); a full-time Outreach & Communications Coordinator (Evan D. Williams); a full time Operations Director (Kris Lewis); a half-time Art Director (Shannon Williamson) and a three-quarter-time Ambassador (Gary Miller).
Application Instructions
Please send a letter of interest and resume in DOCX or PDF form to info@downtownithaca.com and gary@downtownithaca.com. Please put Special Events Director in the subject line. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.