Event Hospitality Specialist — Guest Experience

Eastern State; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site seeks a professional Event Hospitality Associate to support the flawless execution of public programs, donor convenings, and signature special events while upholding program standards and safety. You will help with guest experiences, registration, and on-site operations.

This front-facing role collaborates with the Event Manager to ensure welcoming, inclusive environments, brand consistency, and smooth event workflows across indoor and outdoor spaces.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience in live events, hospitality, or guest-facing roles.
• Strong customer service skills mandatory. The ability to greet visitors warmly, engage in positive interactions, and resolve complaints or issues professionally and patiently.
• Reliability and teamwork: Dependability in adhering to assigned schedules and flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends, holidays, and evenings, while collaborating effectively with other staff members.
• Experience adapting quickly and troubleshooting issues during events.
• Interest in history, museums, criminal justice, justice reform, education, or Eastern State’s mission is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support the Event Manager and Coordinator in delivering programs, lectures, and special events by implementing event plans and ensuring guest coordination and experience.
• Execute event timelines while ensuring spaces are properly staged, including decor setup, food and beverage arrangements, signage, and overall presentation.
• Support program logistics by managing registration check-in, welcoming, wayfinding, orientation, transitions, audience engagement, and post-event decor breakdown.
• Support the setup of check-in tables, arranging signage, name tags, programs, and materials. Assist with décor, including tablecloths and other accents.
• Help maintain clean, safe event spaces by wiping down chairs and performing other light upkeep tasks as needed such as busing. Occasionally assist with moving furniture or equipment as needed for operations.
• Serve as a visible representative of Eastern State’s brand, tone, and mission.
• Maintain a welcoming, calm, and authoritative presence with diverse public audiences, speakers, donors, educators, and community partners.
• Uphold guest service, accessibility, safety, and inclusion standards at all times.
• Enforce program policies, safety protocols, and site rules consistently and professionally.
• Support crowd flow, accessibility accommodations, emergency response procedures, and risk-management protocols.

Skills

Customer service

Reliability

Teamwork

Public interaction

Problem solving

Job description

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site seeks a professional Event Hospitality Associate to support the flawless execution of public programs, donor convenings, and signature special events while upholding program standards and safety. You will help with guest experiences, registration, and on-site operations.

This front-facing role collaborates with the Event Manager to ensure welcoming, inclusive environments, brand consistency, and smooth event workflows across indoor and outdoor spaces.