The Somerville Museum seeks a passionate, community-minded, individual to fill the role of Event Manager. This position will primarily be responsible for the management of historic events in the City of Somerville while coordinating with museum staff, volunteers, City departments, local cultural organizations, and vendors. This role is important in continuing Somerville’s legacy of sharing the City’s – and the nation’s – history with celebration and educational events within the community. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities are intended as illustrations of the type of work that may be performed. This position manages all aspects of events including, but not limited to the following. Other duties and responsibilities may arise that are not explicitly listed here.  

Coordinates and schedules the following events and programs:

• Flag Raising

• Ghosts of Somerville

• Veterans Day

• Patriots Day

• May Preservation Month events

• The Docent Program

Educates the public on the importance of the City’s history through tours, historic events, and special projects.

Initiates, coordinates, and executes events and activities with the Museum staff and volunteers, City departments, and other outside organizations or agencies.

Manages, trains, and coordinates existing volunteers while soliciting new volunteers.

Creates promotional material with the Museum’s Graphic Designer for each event and program.

Promotes widely with physical promotional materials, and digitally with social media, website, local calendars, and local media.

• Works closely with the Art+Culture Assistant on the social media narrative.

Creates organized and comprehensive work plans with action items, contacts, and other necessary information.

Proposes new programs and varied activities to engage more Somerville residents. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Heritage Days

• Somerville Legends

• First Fridays

• Strategic planning for out of cycle significant events like the 250th Anniversary of the Raid on the Powder House

Identifies and writes grant applications to help further support historic programming and operations.

Oversees annual community awards program for Annual Meeting.

Manages annual budget for historic activities with coordination from the Executive Director and President of the Board of Trustees.

Supports the Executive Director on various event related tasks as necessary.

Minimum Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in history, education, museum studies, or related field is required. Five years or more of significant experience in managing community event programming is highly desirable.   The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a passion for American and/or local Somerville history.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Must be a problem solver, demonstrating good judgement and be willing to ask for help or supervision when needed.

• Ability to take direction and follow suggestions while still maintaining ownership over projects.

• Must be a team player and foster a cooperative work environment.

• Requires knowledge of museum policies, practices, and procedures and initiative to follow them.

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

• Ability to supervise and train volunteers, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.

• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

• Create budgets and follow financial reporting procedures as required.

• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

• Comfortable working on both Windows and Mac platforms and products.

• Skill in copy writing and graphic design a plus.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Work may be performed at the Museum, City parks, field environment, or virtually.

Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 30 pounds and standing and/or walking an average of four (4) hours per day.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle to transport items to and from events.

Benefits

10 paid days of vacation per 12-month period, accruable as one day per month after the first month of full-time employment.

Sick leave is earned in accordance with Massachusetts State Law as one hour per every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours per the 12-month period of employment. Sick leave is paid at the usual rate.

12 holidays included within a 12-month employment period. 

The Historic Event Manager is a full-time, 40 hours/week position offered on a contract basis until 12/31/24 with the possibility of extending the contract, based on the availability of future funding.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to alison@somervillemuseum.org with subject heading: Historic Event Manager

The deadline for submitting applications is 12/31/23.