Manager – Programs & Events, Riverfront Fort Wayne

City-of-Fort-Wayn; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fort Wayne is seeking a Manager - Programs & Events for Riverfront Fort Wayne. The role leads programs, events, rentals, and daily operations, overseeing seven full-time, three part-time, and eight seasonal staff to deliver memorable community experiences along the riverfront.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in relevant field, 2–3 years of related experience, strong leadership and budgeting capabilities, and availability evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Event Management, or related field.
• 2–3 years of experience developing and evaluating public programs and events.
• Experience with both fee-based and publicly funded programs.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience considered.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, budgeting, and customer-service skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, promote, and evaluate year-round programs, events, rentals, and private bookings.
• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and develop staff and volunteers.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, purchases, expenses, attendance, and facility use.
• Coordinate facility operations, event logistics, safety, permits, and emergencies.
• Build partnerships, sponsorships, grants, fundraising, and stakeholder relationships.
• Act as working manager to support programs, events, rentals, setup and teardown.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

Customer Service

Education

Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Event Management, or related field

Job description

Manager - Programs & Events, Riverfront Fort Wayne

Parks and Recreation Schedule: 40 hours per week; evenings, weekends, and holidays required

Have you turned your degree in Event Management, Parks and Recreation, or Marketing, experiences people remember? Can you lead a team, manage budgets and rentals, build partnerships, and bring large community programs and events to life? Riverfront Fort Wayne is looking for a creative, hands-on leader to turn great ideas into memorable experiences along Fort Wayne's rivers.

What You'll Do

Lead the programs, events, rentals, staff, and daily operations that make Riverfront Fort Wayne a welcoming and engaging destination. This position manages approximately seven full-time, three part-time, and eight seasonal employees while balancing programming, customer service, safety, financial performance, and community needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, promote, and evaluate year-round recreational programs, educational activities, special events, and private rentals.
• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and develop full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and volunteers.
• Oversee budgets, contracts, purchasing, program expenses, revenue, attendance, facility use, and performance measures.
• Coordinate facility operations, event logistics, maintenance needs, vendors, permits, safety requirements, and emergency response.
• Build partnerships, sponsorships, grants, fundraising opportunities, and relationships with community organizations, businesses, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a working manager who can step in to support programs, events, rentals, setup, teardown, and other operational needs.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Two to three years of progressively responsible experience developing, coordinating, and evaluating public programs, special events, and community activities.
• Experience with both fee-based and publicly supported programs.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, budgeting, problem-solving, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and work effectively with employees, volunteers, contractors, community partners, and the public.

Additional Requirements

• Valid Indiana driver's license.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within the first year of employment.
• Ability to frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Spanish or Burmese language skills are a plus.

Why Work for the City of Fort Wayne?

This is an opportunity to lead programs and events that strengthen our community and help residents and visitors experience Fort Wayne's riverfront. City employees also receive a competitive benefits package that includes health coverage, paid time off, holidays, and participation in Indiana's public employee retirement program.

Equal Opportunity Employer.