Event Operations Manager

Careers Homepage; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Audubon in Central, Louisiana seeks an Event Operations Manager to plan and execute internal events and partner with external clients for festivals at the riverfront park. The role acts as a liaison among clients, vendors and Audubon departments to ensure seamless events.

The position requires independent work, supervisory experience, a valid driver’s license, and flexibility to work days, nights, weekends and holidays, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and revenue opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to work day, night, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate planning and execution of Audubon internal events.
• Liaise with clients, vendors, and internal departments.
• Prepare estimates, site visits, layouts, permits, contracts and deposits.
• Coordinate with security teams to ensure safety procedures.
• Oversee event logistics, execution and wrap-up.

Skills

Independent work

Team leadership

Customer service

Event coordination

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title: Event Operations Manager

Department: Event Operations

Reports To: Director of Event Operations

Location: Central

Position Type: Full Time

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Director of Event Operations, the Event Operations Manager will be responsible for the planning and execution of all Audubon internal events. Such events include but are not limited to Celebracíon Latina, Scales and Ales, Flutters and Fins, Boo at the Zoo, Zoo to Do, and Zoobilation. Additionally, the EOM will partner with external clients for events and festivals held in Woldenberg Riverfront Park. This position acts as a liaison between event clients and vendors and internal Audubon departments and partners for events on all Audubon properties.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between event clients, vendors, and internal Audubon departments ensuring customer satisfaction through attention to detail, excellent service skills, and the ability to lead and take initiative.
• Maintain awareness of current trends and generate ideas for new festivals, inclusion events, community relations events, and building clientele year‑over‑year.
• Participate in planning of all internal Audubon events with departmental teams such as Development, Learning and Engagement, Membership, and Marketing.
• Respond to inquiries, schedule meetings and site visits, prepare estimates, discuss layouts, collect event insurance and permits, build contracts and collect deposits, act as a liaison with vendors, execute event, invoice, request feedback.
• Coordinate with external security teams to ensure safety procedures are being followed and communicate Audubon’s security plans with clients.
• Coordinate event needs with Electrical, Facility Services, and Guest Services, etc. as needed.
• Follow up on sales leads to answer questions, collect general info, review with team, and update calendars.
• Oversee event logistics, execution, and conclusion while continuously troubleshooting and addressing issues during event.
• Create and distribute departmental event documents to all Audubon staff.
• Continuously cultivate revenue opportunities and cost savings initiatives with rental and equipment services.

Additional/Overall Skills

• Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
• Thrive in a team environment, using organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience.
• Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission.
• Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.

Must Haves

• Ability to work independently and autonomously
• Ability to work day, night, weekends, and holidays
• High School Diploma
• Valid Driver’s License
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience
• Ability to handle people and situations in a tactful and discrete manner

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Previous event production and operations experience
• Experience working with Microsoft Office
• Ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information
• Affinity for animals
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and synchronize multiple tasks and work under and handle high stress in an appropriate manner

Physical Requirements

• Working on your feet for long hours
• Sitting for long hours
• Push/pull/lift/carry up to 50 lbs
• Climb a ladder
• Drive a gold cart or company vehicles
• Clarity of vision at 20” or less
• Ability to express and exchange ideas by means of expected language
• Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds
• May be exposed to high noise intensity
• Exposure to outdoor conditions
• Exposure to fluctuations in temperature