Visitor and Event Coordinator (VEC)

DEFTEC Corporation; New London (CT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

DEFTEC Corporation is seeking a Visitor and Event Coordinator to orchestrate museum public programs, events, and daily visitor experiences. You will develop run‑of‑show documents, supervise setup/teardown, and serve as on‑site lead for weekend/evening events while ensuring safety, ADA compliance, and policy adherence.

The role includes training frontline staff, managing budgets and master calendars, and collaborating with internal teams and external partners to deliver exceptional programs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• Tier 1/NACI background clearance required at hire.
• 2–4 years in event planning, hospitality, or front‑of‑house museum operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, event registration systems, and scheduling software.
• Knowledge of FOH logistics, vendor relations, codes & safety, and ADA compliance.
• Experience analyzing visitor feedback for improvements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute approved museum events within budget, space, and policy parameters.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including USCG-related stakeholders.
• Produce run-of-show documents, layouts, and scheduling; supervise setup and teardown.
• Act as on-site lead during evening/weekend events with strict safety protocols.
• Manage visitor flow, deconflict daily operations with events, and train frontline staff.
• Track event costs, invoices, and maintain the master calendar.
• Collect and analyze visitor surveys to improve guest satisfaction.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Event registration

Scheduling software

Front-of-House

Vendor relations

ADA compliance

Visitor flow

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Scheduling tools

Job description

Visitor and Event Coordinator (VEC)

DEFTEC delivers mission-critical solutions through skillfully delivered services and innovative products. We are inspired by our clients' critical missions and driven to provide the most effective solutions to execute their missions, operational challenges, and requirements. Our dedicated, experienced, and talented employees work closely with our clients to ensure the delivery of exceptional services and products.

Position Overview:

The Visitor and Event Coordinator (VEC) serves as the primary orchestrator of the museum's public programs, special events, and daily visitor experience, ensuring seamless operations that align with institutional policies, safety standards, and mission‑driven goals. This role plans and executes approved events by developing detailed logistics documents, supervising setup and teardown, coordinating with internal and external partners, and serving as the on‑site lead during weekend and evening functions. In addition to managing visitor flow, training frontline staff, and analyzing feedback to enhance guest satisfaction, the VEC oversees essential administrative functions such as budget tracking and master calendar maintenance. Drawing on experience in event planning, hospitality, and front‑of‑house operations, the VEC provides professional, adaptable support for both routine museum days and high‑profile, multi‑stakeholder events requiring excellent judgment and composure.

Job Responsibilities:

• Event Planning & Execution:
• Coordination: Coordinate approved museum public programs, recurring operations, and authorized events, including coordination with the National Coast Guard Museum Association when directed by the Government.
• Program Adaptation: Tailor event and visitor-support plans to participant demographics while remaining within approved budget, space, safety, staffing, and policy parameters.
• Logistics Management: Produce comprehensive "run-of-show" documents, layout designs, and scheduling parameters. Supervise physical setup, transition, and teardown of equipment.
• On‑Site Supervision: Act as primary physical point of contact during evening/weekend events, enforcing strict building protocols (e.g., prohibiting food/drink in gallery spaces). Establish SOPs for these procedures.
• Visitor Experience Oversight:
• Daily Operations: Deconflict scheduling between daily gallery visitors and private or public events.
• Feedback Loops: Execute, collect, and analyze visitor surveys to pinpoint areas of friction.
• Staff Training: Ensure frontline guest service teams effectively promote museum and USCG historical messaging.
• Administrative & Financial:
• Budget Tracking: Track authorized event costs, vendor invoices, and cost- allocation documentation. Contractor personnel shall not obligate Government funds or approve payments.
• Calendar Management: Maintain the master institutional calendar.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related
• A Tier 1/NACI Background Clearance will be obtained by the candidate at hire and must successfully complete and clear the process.
• Experience: 2 to 4 years in event planning, hospitality, or front‑of‑house museum operations.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, event registration systems, and scheduling software.
• Knowledge and Experience:
• Front-of-House (FOH) Logistics: Managing visitor flow, crowd control, and ADA compliance.
• Vendor Relations: Sourcing, negotiating, and supervising third‑party event vendors (caterers, AV, florists, rentals).
• Codes & Safety: Familiarity with local fire codes, occupancy restrictions, and safety regulations.
• Visitor Metrics: Gathering, tracking, and translating visitor feedback into actionable experience improvements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Composure under Pressure: Excellent customer service and problem‑solving skills during high stakes or fast‑paced public events.
• Creative Problem Solving: Experience coordinating complex, multi‑stakeholder functions, including senior military and political protocols.
• Design Eye: Attention to event layout, setups, and aesthetic alignments that respect the adjacent gallery environments.

DEFTEC offers a comprehensive whole‑life benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, holiday, paid time off, 401K with a match, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and educational reimbursement. The DEFTEC team comprises professionals who make a difference daily in crucial national security missions. Our leadership knows that this happens by employing a diverse team that is well cared for. Our top priority is our employees, making DEFTEC an ideal workplace.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Please get in touch with [e-mail] if you require reasonable accommodations.

DEFTEC is a Drug‑Free Workplace where post‑offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

AAP/EEO Statement

DEFTEC Corp is an Equal Opportunity and Affluent Action Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any typebased on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeedingand medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding),gender, gender identity, and gender expression, religious creed,disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics ), genetic information, age, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, denial of family and medical care leave, arrest record and/or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state or local law.

This policy applies to all terms of employment, includingrecruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.