Director, Special Events

The Hospitality Tribune; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles seeks a Director of Special Events to lead the Events team, oversee strategy, planning, and production of internal and external events across venues and catering services.

Collaborating with the Revenue and Engagement team, you will manage budgets, vendor contracts, and client relationships while upholding the Museum’s commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Salary and titles are commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Primary department contact for vetting and processing potential event Clients (Internal and External) expressing interest in booking our facilities from initial inquiry to contract execution
• Become an expert for the Museum’s event space and capabilities
• Manage all aspects of event’s database (Elite), maintain events department calendar, client, and vendor databases
• Respond to potential clients in a timely and professional manner and provide accurate information to help convert inquiries to contracts when appropriate
• Responsible for contracting with clients by executing Event Reservations
• Reservation Agreements for third party events and managing all financial deposits to confirm the events
• In partnership with the Revenue and Engagement team- Plan and execute all event logistics, for development and fundraising events including venue selection, catering, entertainment, décor, and transportation
• Support internal teams on the planning and production of internal events
• Assist in the cultivation and stewardship of donor relationships through events
• Primary department contact for marketing and selling the Museum’s world class destination for third party (external) events
• Work with the communications department to develop a cohesive marketing strategy to promote the Museum as a premier destination for events
• Implement a sales strategy and create a sales plan aligned with the Museum’s mission
• Attend industry-related events and networks to identify new event clients and vendors
• Collaborate with the museum's restaurant and catering operators to design and implement food and beverage offerings that enhance event experiences
• Ensure clear communication and coordination between event planning and restaurant/catering teams to meet event requirements and guest expectations
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with restaurant and catering staff to ensure high-quality service and innovation in event menus

Job description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of the Revenue and Engagement team, the Director of Special Events will ensure that the Events team will provide excellent event planning and project management services to the customers and guests of the Museum using the Museum’s multiple indoor and outdoor venue spaces. In collaboration with the Revenue and Engagement team the Director of Special Events develops and guides the strategy and implementation for all event planning, production, and venue operations, including coordination for catering services. These functions include establishing and maintaining the policies, event agreements, price points, and client relationships. The Director of Special Events is also responsible for coordinating and managing multiple, concurrent projects while demonstrating attention to detail and the ability to develop, implement, and track project and departmental budgets. All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve. Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

RESPONSIBILITIES

EVENTS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS STRATEGY

• Primary department contact for vetting and processing potential event Clients (Internal and External) expressing interest in booking our facilities from initial inquiry to contract execution
• Become an expert for the Museum’s event space and capabilities

• Manage all aspects of event’s database (Elite), maintain events department calendar, client, and vendor databases

• Respond to potential clients in a timely and professional manner and provide accurate information to help convert inquiries to contracts when appropriate

• Responsible for contracting with clients by executing Event

• Reservation Agreements for third party events and managing all financial deposits to confirm the events

• In partnership with the Revenue and Engagement team- Plan and execute all event logistics, for development and fundraising events including venue selection, catering, entertainment, décor, and transportation

• Support internal teams on the planning and production of internal events

• Assist in the cultivation and stewardship of donor relationships through events

• Primary department contact for marketing and selling the Museum’s world class destination for third party (external) events

• Work with the communications department to develop a cohesive marketing strategy to promote the Museum as a premier destination for events

• Implement a sales strategy and create a sales plan aligned with the Museum’s mission

• Attend industry-related events and networks to identify new event clients and vendors

• Collaborate with the museum's restaurant and catering operators to design and implement food and beverage offerings that enhance event experiences

• Ensure clear communication and coordination between event planning and restaurant/catering teams to meet event requirements and guest expectations

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with restaurant and catering staff to ensure high-quality service and innovation in event menus

MUSEUM PRE-OPENING ACTIVITIES

• Propose strategies to implement a strong event planning process from conception to execution and event assessment
• Manage and maintain all aspects of events department calendar, client, and vendor databases

• Conduct research to remain current on event-related trends by proactively gathering information, making site visits of other venues, and reaching out to local and national arts institutions for benchmarking

• Build a library of suggested vendors and create event check lists

• Propose, implement, and manage the department’s fiscal budgets and strategize sales goals

• Work with the General Counsel and CFO to implement all event agreements and vendor contracts

• Create and implement venue policies to improve event sales functions for the Museum and advise Senior Leadership on such policies

STAFF AND TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Hire, train, develop, and evaluate staff effectively, taking corrective action as necessary on a timely basis and in accordance with Museum policy
• Evaluate the team plan for continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the group

• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality

• Mentor and develop a staff using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct and annual performance appraisals

CORE COMPETENCIES

Analytical Rigor:

Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.

Courageous Communication:

Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.

Collaborative Excellence:

Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.

Adaptive Resilience:

Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.

Inclusive Interaction:

Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.

Building Trust & Relationship Management

• Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions.
• Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening.
• Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding.
• Relates comfortably with people across levels,