GALA EVENT MANAGER
PROJECT-BASED INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
FEBRUARY – APRIL, 2024
OVERVIEW:
Sound Theatre Company seeks to contract a GALA EVENT MANAGER to assist with the logistical coordination and execution of our SPRING FUNDRAISING GALA scheduled for APRIL 21, and in service of the organization’s mission to empower artists to give voice to the dignity and diversity of the human experience–moving audiences toward a more just and compassionate world. We strongly encourage applicants from underrepresented communities in American Theatre and Arts Administration. To that end, we want to highlight that if you do not have experience in some of the areas listed, please apply anyway! We support learning new skills and professional development.
ORGANIZATION HISTORY:
Sound Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2006. We typically stage three fully produced projects per season alongside experimental and new works programming. Around 2015, Sound Theatre shifted toward a social justice focus in response to similar efforts by the City of Seattle. While Sound Theatre has historically been perceived as being a more resourced organization than it is, we have primarily functioned as a volunteer-run organization until beginning a professionalization process in 2019. Sound Theatre continues working toward equitable compensation for staff and guest artists, and as of January 2021, we maintain a paid ten-person permanent staff.
As the organization plans its growth into a deeply intersectional and accessible theatre producer, we are proud to center accessibility in our work and invite the challenges necessary to grow authentically. With the invaluable guidance of our accessibility coordinator, we are enlivened by the possibilities of a more accessible tomorrow.
COMPENSATION:
This position is for a temporary independent contractor at $3000 for approx. three months/ 12 weeks of part-time work beginning the end of January through the end of April. Can start immediately. We are projecting 85+ hours at about $35 an hour, but the schedule will be established by the Event Manager working with the staff and board members supporting the project.
SCHEDULE:
As an Independent Contractor, the Event Manager will work on an independent schedule towards an event goal shared with Sound Theater staff and board. We anticipate at least weekly meetings with the gala committee and possibly attending staff and board meetings during these months. We are considering a weekly commitment of five to ten hours a week, understanding that during the weeks before the event we anticipate additional hours and engagement.
KEY COLLABORATORS:
- Board Leadership
- Board Gala Committee
- Staff leadership: Co-Artistic Directors, General Manager, Development Director (to be hired in March), Co-Production Managers, and other key staff.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Hold regular meetings with the Gala committee and key staff members
- Design project plan from existing task lists
- Assist w/ Marketing (with marketing team)
- Coordinate with the vendors, entertainment, and venue
- Coordinate volunteers
- Craft the program with the involvement of key staff
- Facilitate a digital rehearsal for MC and others involved with the execution of the event
- Facilitate set up, assignments, and tear down of the day-of-event
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Establishing timelines and scheduling
- Create Ground plans and event flow
- Set up on day of the event
- Take-down after the conclusion of the event
- Help set up, facilitate, and use our online gala software, Auctria. (This will be primarily handled by our General Manager, but will be required to use for check-in and accounting purposes.)
- Create printable materials and print them (table signs, event signs, food cards, bidding sheets, etc.)
NOTE: There will not be an auction for this event. There will be other fundraising activities.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EVENT MANAGER MAY INCLUDE:
- An intersectional commitment to anti-oppressive practices, including but not limited to anti-racism, disability justice, accessibility, and decolonization frameworks.
- Enjoyment of social events and creating spaces of celebration
- Experience in event management and project planning
WORKING CONDITIONS & LOCATIONS:
This position will start off as primarily remote, with occasional in-person involvement following state and local safety guidelines. EVENT MANAGER may shift to working mostly at the Sound Theatre office, located on the second floor of the Jack Straw Cultural Center Offices in the University District. The open office space is shared with one other organization, and there is an elevator and accessible bathroom. There is no kitchen/break room, although there is a small refrigerator and microwave.
A computer device is necessary for this position. If the EVENT MANAGER does not have access to a personal computer, Sound Theatre can provide one.
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
The EVENT MANAGER may be associated with physical demands and challenges that the EVENT MANAGER will need to help problem solve. This may include needing to navigate non-ADA-compliant spaces, lifting and transporting objects.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a resume and brief expression of intent in any format (written, video, audio, etc.) addressing your interest in the position and relevant skills to General Manager, Riley Gene at riley@soundtheatrecompany.org using the subject line “LAST NAME – APPLICATION – GALA EVENT MANAGER.”
HIRING PROCESS:
Applications are due by 5:00 pm on February 2nd. Interviews will be conducted the week of February 5th, with an offer sent by the end of that week.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If more in-depth background about the Gala Event Manager position is desired, applicants are welcome to reach out to General Manager, Riley Gene, at riley@soundtheatrecompany.
Sound Theatre Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.