Programs and Events Associate

Programs and Events Associate

Madison Square Park Conservancy

Overview of Organization

Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC) is the nonprofit entrusted by the City of New York to operate Madison Square Park, a 6.2-acre public space in the heart of Manhattan. Our mission is to conserve, maintain, and program this ever-evolving historic green space, including raising 100% of the park’s operating budget. Our dedicated team takes great pride in caring for and shaping an urban oasis for all to enjoy.

Anchoring a diverse and vibrant live-work community, Madison Square Park is both an intimate neighborhood park and an international destination for 60,000 daily visitors. A public space since 1686, the park has long been a gathering place for people from all walks of life. Today, it is also a public garden, urban forest, wildlife habitat, public art exhibition space, a haven for children and pets to play, and one of New York City’s most transcendent and welcoming places.

Position Summary

MSPC offers free public programs in and around the park throughout the year–many in conjunction with our public art and horticulture programs, and others ranging from performing arts to history tours to environmental awareness events to family and pet activities. In addition, we host several fundraising events each year, as well as smaller “member mingles” and cultivation events for existing and prospective donors to learn about the park and MSPC.

MSPC is seeking a Programs & Events Associate to plan and execute free public programs and assist with fundraising and cultivation events. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programs and working closely with both the programs and development teams, the ideal candidate is a dynamic, enthusiastic individual who is adept at being supervised by multiple people and working on many projects at once in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Public Programs

• Help plan and organize free public programs, including scheduling, publicizing, monitoring registration, ordering and tracking supplies as needed, communicating with program participants, securing necessary permits, and assisting with other logistics
• Handle the set-up and check-in for public programs and serve as the point of contact during programs to ensure they go smoothly, troubleshooting as necessary; oversee breakdown when program is complete
• Track program attendance and success; organize debriefs with relevant staff and participants following each program, followed by a written summary report for MSPC records

Fundraising and Cultivation Events

• Work with the communications team to develop and send out invitations and create an event webpage, if needed
• Track RSVPs / manage ticket sales
• Attend and assist with set-up, check-in, and break-down of events
• Help secure in-kind donations, such as food and beverages for cultivation events and silent auction items for fundraising events

Tabling

• Set up and help staff MSPC information table during public programs, events and Executive Director’s monthly Bench Hours
• Work with communications team to design and produce MSPC informational materials for tabling

Qualifications and Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor degree; in lieu of a degree, consideration will be given to relevant field experience and certificate programs
• Preference for at least 2 years of public program and/or event experience
• Ability to interact with all levels of staff, donors, artists/performers, and the public in a professional, personable manner
• Adept at balancing multiple time-sensitive requests and priorities on a regular basis
• Superior organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Willingness to work nights and weekends
• Familiarity with Cava or other basic graphic design program a plus
• Knowledge of City permitting process a plus

Compensation, Benefits, and Schedule

• Annual Salary: $55,000
• Highly competitive benefits package, including:
  • Choice of three Aetna health plans with minimal employee contribution
  • Dental and vision plan with no employee contribution
  • 10 annual vacation days
  • 1 personal day
  • 12 annual floating holidays
  • 6 annual sick days
  • 401(k) plan, with employer match after one year of employment
  • Commuter benefit
  • Short-term disability, Commuter Benefits, and Health Advocate benefits
• Schedule: 40 hours/week on a 5-day schedule; minimum 3 days in the office required; availability to work evenings and weekends, as necessary

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit via email attachment a cover letter and resume with “Programs and Events Associate” as the subject line to: programjobs@madisonsquarepark.org. Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Madison Square Park Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws. MSPC prohibits discrimination against applicants for employment because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Highly competitive benefits package, including:
  • Choice of three Aetna health plans with minimal employee contribution
  • Dental and vision plan with no employee contribution
  • 10 annual vacation days
  • 1 personal day
  • 12 annual floating holidays
  • 6 annual sick days
  • 401(k) plan, with employer match after one year of employment
  • Commuter benefit
  • Short-term disability, Commuter Benefits, and Health Advocate benefits
• Schedule: 40 hours/week on a 5-day schedule; minimum 3 days in the office required; availability to work evenings and weekends, as necessary