Special Events &
Development
Programming
Manager
About
Department: Advancement
Status: Full-time, 32 hours/week; Non-exempt
As Northeast Ohio's premier site for contemporary art, moCa advances the critical role that art and artists play in our world. Grounded in Cleveland and engaged in the global cultural ecosystem, we focus on art now to open and connect people to new possibilities. Our work culture is passion-driven, inclusive, fast-paced, collaborative, and fun. We value and support an enterprising staff who anticipate and react nimbly to change, embrace new opportunities, embrace and learn from failure, and face challenges responsibly and thoughtfully. moCa is the people who help to realize its mission and each employee has agency and accountability for moCa's success and value to our community and audiences.
The Special Events and Development Programming Manager will oversee and execute special events, ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes that enhance the museum's visibility and fundraising efforts. This role also plays a crucial part in driving the planning, organization, development and realization of moCa’s annual Advancement calendar and programming (special events, private rentals, donor and patron fundraising).
Proactively manages project schedules, develops concepts, and coordinates logistics to flawlessly execute moCa’s events in alignment with our brand and quality standards.
Partners with clients throughout the process to understand their vision, configure the event, and ensure a high-quality experience that exceeds expectations and encourages repeat business.
Timely responds to incoming event inquiries, assesses for mutual alignment, and converts to confirmed bookings.
Oversees event logistics on the day of the event, managing staff, addressing client needs, and ensuring a high-quality experience for all attendees.
Maintains detailed event records, including budgets, contracts, and client communications in order to develop and implement a data-driven sales strategy to achieve or exceed annual revenue goals.
Builds and cultivates strong relationships with current and prospective clients by managing expectations and communicating clearly throughout the sales and event lifecycle.
Uses data to inform operational decisions and conducts basic data analysis to support decision-making processes.
Helps to manage departmental budgets, ensuring expense controls and economies.
Understands basic business operations principles and applies foundational project management methods.
Note: The duties above are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of the Kohl Executive Director to assign other tasks of a similar nature or level of responsibility nor does it imply an employment contract.
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred; candidates without four-year degrees must demonstrate equivalent experience.
3+ years of demonstrated success planning, managing, and executing events, with a proven track record of exceeding sales goals.
2+ years of working directly with donors, patrons, and clients understanding their needs, and exceeding their expectations.
Additional/Preferred Experience: 6+ months of using event management software, contract management systems, online scheduling tools, and managing bar inventory.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Alignment: Represents moCa in a positive light in interactions and communications.
Art & Culture: Appreciates and possesses an intermediate understanding of both contemporary art and culture.
Communication: Communicates (both verbally and in written English) with a proficient level of awareness, confidence, and fluency to build relationships with and influence diverse stakeholders as needed to achieve the museum's strategic objectives.
DEIA: Commits to modeling best practices for collaborating with diverse populations, demonstrating a proficient understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles.
Fundraising Acquisition: An advanced understanding of fundraising strategies; ability to clearly articulate the museum's mission, programs, and impact in an inspiring manner, build genuine relationships and appeal to donor interests to sustain the museum's fundraising efforts over time.
Fundraising Management: Has a working knowledge of fundraising budgets, funding types, categorizing income sources, and generating basic reports.
Independence: Learns and executes tasks autonomously, develops and optimizes processes for efficiency, consistently maintains exceptional focus to complete tasks independently, and makes well-informed decisions with minimal oversight.
People Management: Builds relationships and collaborates effectively, provides basic coaching and support to direct reports, and demonstrates willingness to learn and adapt to new management responsibilities.
Reliability: Reliably fulfills obligations, consistently meets or exceeds deadlines, and proactively contributes to refining and improving established policies and procedures.
Tech & Tools: Uses computer systems and programs (i.e., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, EventBrite) with competency and efficiency.
Writing/Editing: Possesses advanced writing and editing skills - creates strategic content plans and executes them with precision to achieve organizational objectives, leads content creation projects, overseeing the drafting and editing process with excellence, innovates content, incorporating best practices and emerging trends to optimize engagement and impact.
Physical Demands
Sitting (occasionally), standing (frequently), and moving among various areas of the facility (frequently).
Listening and exchanging information in-person, by phone, and computer (frequently).
Lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds (frequently).
Using hands for simple & power grasping, pushing & pulling, and fine manipulation (continuously).
Operating a computer and keyboarding (continuously).
Reaching above shoulder level, at waist level, and below waist level (frequently).
Bending (waist level), twisting (waist level), squatting, kneeling, and balancing (frequently).
Climbing stairs (frequently) and/or ladders (occasionally).
Eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits
Eligible for 403(b) Savings Plan
2 weeks paid vacation, 13 paid holidays
Reports to Senior Advancement Officer
Curious and open-minded lifelong learners who enjoy new ideas and perspectives Inspired by and interested in contemporary art and culture
Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
Responsive, flexible, and adaptive to regularly changing content and needs
Self-starters who are enterprising in their time and resource management
Respectful, collaborative, caring team players
$40,000-$45,000
Interested candidates should fill out the application form at
mocacleveland.org/application and include:
Applicants should not reach out directly to moCa staff with materials or questions.
moCa &
its workforce
Job objective
Essential duties &
responsibilities
Minimum
qualifications
Benefits
Reporting
relationship
All moCa staff
are expected to be
Salary range
To apply
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The duties above are intended to outline those functions typically performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit the discretionary authority of the Kohl Executive Director to assign other tasks of a similar nature or level of responsibility nor does it imply an employment contract. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties.
moCa is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds can collaborate in creating, interpreting, and advancing contemporary art. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. moCa is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions and enjoy equal employment benefits. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.