House Manager

Full-time, non-exempt

A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position.

Position Overview:

The Ruth Bancroft Garden (“Garden”) seeks an experienced and creative House Manager to oversee on-site private events and to create and lead the annual Garden of D’Lights holiday light show. This is an exciting position at the Garden that will support weddings and private events throughout the warmer months and have creative oversight and management of the Garden’s regionally famous annual light show. The selected candidate will have a passion for creating a magical and unforgettable visitor experience whether during the light show or during someone’s most memorable life event. The House Manager will employ excellent team leadership, organizational, and communication skills to lead on-site coordination of hourly event staff, volunteer corps during the light show, and coordination with other Garden team members supporting the installation and breakdown of the annual light show. Working under the direction of the Events Manager, the House Manager will be the lead on-site person during private events that can have between 30 and 150 guests in the Garden during a private event. During the light show, the House Manager will work under the direction of the Volunteer and Education Manager and will be the lead on-site logistics person and trouble shooter for lighting and music making sure the show runs smoothly. The House Manager will support the annual Summer Sculpture Show by coordinating artwork delivery, placement, mapping, and de-installation; assisting with artwork selection and leading committee presentations; and supporting sales tracking and on-site logistics throughout the exhibition.

Responsibilities:

Special Events

Provide exceptional client service before, during, and after the event
During spring, summer, and fall, this position will primarily be the on-site staff person for private event rentals such as weddings, parties/celebrations, corporate events, and sound baths.
Candidate must be available to work weekends and evenings and accommodate a flexible schedule.
The House Manager will supervise a team of Event Associates to ensure that all tables, chairs, and any other “bones” of the event are properly set up. Assist with supervisory responsibilities, including managing an event staff of less experienced employees during the set-up take down.
Serve as the staff logistical coordinator for the Garden’s annual Sculpture in the Garden (Early June – Late August, dates include installation and removal) and Garden of D’Lights (Early November – Mid January, dates include installation and removal) events.
Comprehend and oversee run-of-show documents.
Coordinate drop-off and pick-up for rental companies.
Collaborate with vendors and coordinators to execute event details
Provide Garden and rental space tours for prospective clients.
Cultivate relationships with clients and engage clients during the planning process.
Oversee event close-out procedures, including securing and locking the venue and confirming all areas are returned to pre-event condition

Light Show (Garden of D’Lights)

Layout and create an annual light show with music that highlights the plant collection with dazzling light displays.
Ability to re-imagine the show with annual updates and new ideas to keep visitors engaged and wanting to return year after year.
During the months of the light show, this person will lead all activities associated with the physical show and will coordinate with other staff regarding marketing, ticketing, staff, and volunteer support.
During the winter months, the position involves set up, take down, logistics, managing volunteers, and troubleshooting during the light show.
The position requires a person with a creative mind and technical skills in lighting design, electrical, sound, and art installations.

Property Care

Manage event guests by prioritizing the protection of the Ruth Bancroft Garden plant collection of rare and unusual plants that can be easily damaged by people wandering off the pathways and plaza spaces.
Maintain all equipment and storage area in a neat and orderly manner and replace broken parts, furniture, or fixtures
Coordinate with garden maintenance colleagues to support event and light show needs while honoring the integrity of the garden.
Maintain building and event spaces in a neat and clean manner during events so that the facility always looks its best.
Maintain, monitor, and keep in working order audiovisual systems, including projectors, sound systems, and microphones

Administrative

Prepare reports and communicate effectively through email and correspondence
Collect payments from customers
Respond to customer inquiries and conduct pre-event walk-through with clients.

Qualifications

Experience working in an event planning capacity, including responsibility for lighting, sound, and event design
Strong organizational skills and technological savvy
Excellent hospitality skills, ability to de-escalate emotional situations, and good sense of humor
Strong computer literacy skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Slack, Zoom, and general internet navigation
Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Write routine reports and correspondence. Speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
Excellent team leadership skills
Flexibility and willingness to take on and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously
Passion for the mission of the Ruth Bancroft Garden
Ability to manage events for extended periods of up to 8 hours duration while out in the elements.
Able to work weekends and evenings as necessary and accommodate a flexible schedule.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job requirements and duties.
Knowledge of audio and visual equipment is a plus
Bachelor’s degrees or equivalent work experience.
Ability to acquire ABC/ RBS Alcohol Seller Server Certificate

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job assists with supervisory responsibilities, including managing an event staff of young people.

Work Environment:

Work to be performed both indoors and outside, although mainly outdoors. May be exposed to the elements
Must be able to work weekends and evenings as necessary and accommodate a flexible schedule
May be subject to working outdoors on cold or hot days with the ability for breaks to ensure safety.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand and walk, often for extended periods of time out in the heat or cold, depending on the time of year. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. In addition to lifting, the employee must be able to carry items for some distance.

Benefits

Salary range: $57,782 to $68,286 ($27.78/hr. – $32.83/hr.)
Benefits include three weeks paid time off (PTO), which increases after five years of service, holidays, health insurance subsidy, 403b with company match.

House Manager

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:

Roger Ravenstad, Executive Director, Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery. Send by email to: Jobs@ruthbancroftgarden.org