Manager, Special Events

Guggenheim New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Guggenheim New York is seeking a Manager of Special Events to independently manage rentals, licensed shoots, fundraisers, and openings across museum spaces including the Wright Restaurant, Rotunda, and Peter B Lewis Theater.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Special Events within the Individual Giving and Special Events team, the role focuses on booking, prospecting, and stewarding revenue-generating events while coordinating with internal departments and external vendors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in special events or event production, arts preferred.
• Experience with high-level clients or donors in front-facing roles.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Willingness to work onsite and flexible hours, including evenings and overnights.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with attention to detail.
• Able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Independent judgment and initiative in project leadership.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Oversee rental events in the Wright Restaurant, Theater, and Rotunda, including site visits and on-site supervision.
• Identify new sales channels for corporate and private rentals to meet revenue targets.
• Oversee licensed location shoots and coordinate with Licensing & Quality Review Committee.
• Develop relationships with donors, sponsors, and Corporate Development teams.
• Manage contracts, insurance, crew check-in, schedules, budgets, invoices.
• Coordinate with Security, Catering, Facilities, and other staff during setup, event, and breakdown.
• Represent the department at cross-department meetings and ensure safe production.
• Provide on-site support for major fundraising events including Gala and exhibitions.
• Analyze event trends and audience reach to drive growth year over year.

Skills

Event production

Front-facing

Confidentiality

Organization

Evenings & weekends

Verbal & written comms

Diplomacy

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are Guggenheim, a global constellation of museums unlike any other in the world. Four museums on three continents, united by the power of groundbreaking art to connect us to ourselves and to each other. Since our founding in 1937, the Guggenheim has introduced, celebrated and brought to the public the newest voices and visions in modern and contemporary art. When Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hilla Rebay set out to share the joy they first experienced in discovering experimental art, they initiated the creative risk-taking that is today synonymous with “Guggenheim” throughout the world. Across the globe, each Guggenheim stands not just as a backdrop for visionary art but as masterpieces in and of themselves to experience.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Working independently and reporting to the Associate Director of Special Events within the Individual Giving and Special Events department, the Manager of Special Events will provide critical management of special events, including rentals, licensed shoots, fundraisers, exhibition openings, and cultivation events. The Manager of Special Events will play a crucial role in booking, prospecting, and stewarding revenue-generating rental events and location shoots for clients and donors in the various museum spaces, including the Wright Restaurant, Ronald O. Perelman Rotunda, and Peter B Lewis Theater.

SKILL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3 years of Special Events and/or event production experience required, with a focus on the arts preferred.
• Experience working in a front facing role with high level clients or donors.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work onsite and maintain flexible hours, including evenings and overnights.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment a must.
• Ability to be proactive, use independent judgment and initiative.
• Computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee and produce rental events in the Wright Restaurant, Peter B. Lewis Theater, and Ronald O. Perelman Rotunda. Manage the Rotunda rental program in collaboration with the Associate Director of Special Events, by fielding event inquiries, leading site visits, and supervising on-site vendors and clients.
• Identify new sales channels and strategies for corporate and private rentals, to meet associated revenue targets and build a portfolio of returning clients.
• Oversee and produce licensed location shoots in the Guggenheim’s trademark spaces, in collaboration with the Associate Director of Special Events. Collaborate with the Licensing & Quality Review Committee, to ensure review and approval of any commercial usage of the Guggenheim’s trademarked name, logo and/or museum building images in all location shoot requests.
• Identify new sales channels and strategies for licensed location shoots to meet associated revenue targets and build a portfolio of returning producers, scouts, and entertainment companies.
• Responsible for stewarding prospective donors, clients, and corporate sponsors in collaboration with the Associate Director of Special Events, the Corporate Development team, Individual Giving team, and Catering Director.
• Manage contracts, insurance requirements, crew check-in, production schedules and budgets for rental events, location shoots, and vendors. Process all associated invoices and gift transactions.
• Liaise with key project stakeholders on an ongoing basis, including but not limited to a broad range of museum staff, including Security, Art Handlers, Catering, Facilities, Lighting, Curatorial and Visitor Experience, as well as third party event production teams, vendors, and clients during setup, event, and breakdown.
• Represent the Special Events Department at recurring cross-departmental meetings for Building Operations, Master Calendar Editors, Licensing & Quality Review Committee, and others as required.
• Enforce museum guidelines onsite, to preserve and protect the building and artwork, and ensure all production is completed safely.
• Provide managerial on-site support to the Special Events department on the museum’s key fundraising events, including the Guggenheim Annual Gala, and YCC Party, in addition to exhibition opening events, and internal cultivation events.
• Analyze event trends, audience reach, and successes to support increased event growth year-over-year.

WORK DEMANDS and ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to travel within the metropolitan area as required to perform the above duties at any of the Guggenheim’s owned or leased properties upon request.
• Occasionally work may be conducted outdoors, exposure to varied weather conditions.
• Ability to work onsite and maintain flexible hours, including evenings, overnights, weekend hours, and holidays on occasion.
• Ability to lift at least 25 lbs.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

N/A

REPORTS TO

Associate Director, Special Events

LOCATION

One Liberty Plaza, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10006 with regular travel to 1071 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10128

WORK SCHEDULE

Hybrid eligible, and hours vary based on position

POSITION TYPE

Full-time, Exempt. This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 2110 UAW.

SALARY RANGE

$68,958.50 - $72,000 Annualy

The Guggenheim is dedicating itself to creating paths that lead to a more inclusive and diverse institution. We encourage inquiries from applicants who will reflect the plurality of our culture and our global audience. The Guggenheim does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin or disability status.