October/November 2017

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) is currently seeking a Special Events Director for immediate hire.

Position Description:

This is a full-time senior management position with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (one of three staff directors), reporting directly to the DIA Executive Director.

This position is charged with the planning and execution of the various downtown festivals and special events of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance. 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.

This position also assumes a leadership role in the management and implementation of the Tompkins County Festivals Program, which is administered by the DIA for the Tompkins County Tourism Program.

The Special Events Director shall prepare budgets and plans for each event. The Special Events Director will take a lead working with the Executive Director and Marketing Director on obtaining needed sponsorships for events.

The Special Events Director will work with the Executive Director, other staff, and the DIA Special Events committee to recommend an annual roster of events. The Special Events Director will cultivate and maintain close working relationships with City staff that are involved in the special events process. The DIA Special Events director has historically participated on the City’s Special Events review committee. The Special Events Director will also assist and facilitate other organizations and entities in the planning and implementation of other events in downtown Ithaca.

Currently, the major events of the DIA are:

• The Ithaca Festival Craft Fair
• The CFCU Summer Concert Series in Downtown Ithaca
• The Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival presented by Tomkins Trust Company
• The Holiday/Winter Festival and related activities including Visit from Santa, Ice Festival/Chowder Cook-Off
• The Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook- Off
• Special purpose one-off event(s)

The smaller events of the organization currently are:

• Downtown Employee Appreciation Week
• Halloween in Downtown
• Bite of Ithaca
• 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
• DIA’s Annual Dinner
• Strategic Tourism Planning Board contract
• Summer Sale
• Fashion Night/Week
• 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 and expertise in event planning
• Capacity to manage large-scale public events
• Experience working with and cultivating sponsorships
• 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: $40,000-$49,000, based on qualifications, plus benefits.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance seeks to be a diverse workplace and encourages applications from a broad range of qualified persons.

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 27-member Board of Directors and operates with the following staff: A full-time Executive Director (Gary Ferguson); a full-time Marketing Director (Allison Graffin); a full-time Events Director (TBD); a part-time Events Association (Scott Rougeau),  a Communications Manager (Darlene M. Donohue); a full time Operations Director (Kris Lewis); a half-time Art Director (Lora Morrow) and both clean & hospitality ambassadors For more information, please visit http://www.downtownithaca.com..

Application Instructions

Please send a letter of interest, resume, and any supporting materials 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 reviewed on a rolling basis.