Events & Partnerships Manager

Midwest Museums; Fort Wayne (IN); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Science Central is seeking an Events & Partnerships Manager to grow relationships with businesses, community partners, sponsors, renters, and event guests while leading the planning and execution of events and facility rentals. This role blends relationship-building, event leadership, business development, and hands-on coordination.

You’ll represent Science Central in the community, develop new partnerships, create engaging experiences, and help strengthen the organization’s presence and impact

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, business, or related field or equivalent education/experience.
• Experience in event planning, partnerships, business development, fundraising, hospitality, sales, or related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills; ability to manage multiple events and deadlines.
• Experience with sponsorship development, facility rentals, sales, nonprofit organizations, or partnerships is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors, businesses, community organizations, and other partners.
• Identify and pursue new sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Plan and lead events and rentals from start to finish, shaping logistics and guest experience.
• Bring a hospitality touch to fundraising events, board meetings, donor gatherings, focus groups, and staff activities.
• Serve as the primary contact for facility renters and create a welcoming experience.
• Coordinate event logistics, timelines, vendors, staffing, and internal communication.
• Lead staff during events and ensure events run smoothly.
• Look for creative ways to grow rental, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities.
• Work across departments to bring events and partnerships to life.
• Connect renters, sponsors, and community partners with Science Central’s mission and programs.

Skills

Relationship-builder

Organized

Communicator

Initiative

Creative

Collaborative

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in event management, hospitality, business, or related field

Job description

Do you enjoy bringing people together, building relationships, and creating memorable experiences?

Science Central is looking for an Events & Partnerships Manager to help us grow relationships with businesses, community partners, sponsors, renters, and event guests while leading the planning and execution of events and facility rentals.

This is a great role for someone who enjoys a mix of relationship‑building, event planning, business development, and hands‑on coordination. You’ll have the opportunity to represent Science Central in the community, develop new partnerships, create engaging experiences, and help strengthen the organization’s presence and impact throughout the region.

What You’ll Do

• Build and maintain relationships with sponsors, businesses, community organizations, and other partners.
• Identify and pursue new sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Plan and lead events and rentals from start to finish, shaping both the logistics and the details that make each experience welcoming and memorable.
• Bring a thoughtful hospitality touch to fundraising events, board meetings, donor gatherings, focus groups, staff activities, and other organizational events.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for facility renters and help create a welcoming, memorable experience.
• Coordinate event logistics, timelines, vendors, staffing, and internal communication.
• Lead staff during assigned events and help ensure events run smoothly.
• Look for creative ways to grow rental, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities.
• Work across departments to bring events and partnerships to life.
• Help connect renters, sponsors, and community partners with Science Central’s mission, programs, and impact.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A strong relationship-builder who genuinely enjoys connecting with people.
• Organized, dependable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• A confident communicator who can work with a wide range of people and organizations.
• Comfortable taking initiative and making decisions within their area of responsibility.
• Creative and interested in finding new ways to make events, rentals, and partnerships successful.
• Collaborative and able to work effectively across departments.
• Comfortable leading teams during events.
• Flexible and willing to work occasional evenings or weekends when events require it (with flexibility during the week to offset)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, business, or a related field, or comparable relevant education and experience.
• Experience in event planning, partnerships, business development, fundraising, hospitality, sales, or a related field.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills.
  Ability to manage multiple events, relationships, and deadlines at the same time.
• Experience with sponsorship development, facility rentals, sales, nonprofit organizations, or community partnerships is a plus.

Why Science Central?

Science Central is a regional resource dedicated to providing inspiring and fun hands‑on science education for all people of all ages. Our employees help create memorable experiences, spark curiosity, and connect our community with science and learning.

This role offers the opportunity to combine relationship‑building, creativity, event leadership, and community engagement in an organization where your work can have a visible impact.

Salary: $45,000 annually
Schedule: Full-time (around 40 hours per week) hybrid remote/in-person, generally centered on weekday business hours. Evening and weekend work is required for some events and rentals, with schedule adjustments coordinated with the Advancement Director.

Science Central is an equal opportunity employer.