Director of Special Events Addison, Texas

Director of Special Events
Addison, Texas
THE COMMUNITY
Addison offers the energy, vibrancy, restaurants and businesses of a major urban city – but all in a compact 4.4-square mile
package that is clean, easy to use, friendly and accessible. Nationally acclaimed special events, unique amenities, and more
restaurants per capita than any city in the U.S., Addison, Texas is the destination in North Texas for great food lodging, and
fun! This unique 4.4-square mile urban enclave boasts 170+ restaurants, 22 hotels, upscale living, unique retail shops and
more than 12 million square feet of office space. In Addison, It All Comes Together SM.
ABOUT THE SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT
The Special Events department hosts over 135 events throughout the year, the most notable of which are Fork & Cork,
Kaboom Town!, and Addison Oktoberfest. These events attract over 650,000 attendees annually, and feature headlining
entertainers, nationally acclaimed firework shows, and local restaurants and chefs.
FORK & CORK
Addison’s epicurean festival, Fork & Cork is a
two-day event
bringing
together
celebrated chefs, breweries, wineries and spirit
makers. The gourmet gathering, put on during
the spring, is a destination for those who enjoy
food as entertainment by
spotlighting
Addison’s chef-driven establishments as well
as other special culinary-minded guests from
Dallas’ best restaurants.
ADDISON OKTOBERFEST
Addison Special Events
KABOOM TOWN!
Rated one of the top 5 shows in the country by USA
Today, The Wall Street Journal and more, Addison
Kaboom Town! is the most explosive party of the
year! Features dazzling fireworks choreographed
to music and simulcast on the radio.
An authentic recreation of the Munich Oktoberfest, our event features more than 30 hours
of continuous family-oriented entertainment. Serving special Oktoberfest Bier along with
incredible German culinary fare. The festival also includes kid-friendly options like rides,
midway games, and much more.
Director of Special Events
ABOUT THE POSITION
As head of the Special Events department, the Special
Events Director operates under the general direction of the
Assistant City Manager, to administer and evaluate the
Town's event production third-party contractor, plan, and
evaluate our annual calendar of event offerings and manage
event staff to ensure all event activities are produced and
executed following "The Addison Way". This position
involves a large number of tasks and duties which involve
broad functions and processes of an administrative and
professional nature requiring decision-making and analysis.
Certain elements of Addison's event execution are
outsourced under the scope of contracts for services.
The Special Events Director is responsible for the development and administration of these privatization
contracts and must use judgment and ingenuity in interpreting the intent of established guidelines and in
developing guidelines when no guidelines are available. They are responsible for major decision-making
related to department policies, procedures, as well as determining priorities and setting goals. This is a highly
visible position that involves extensive contact with the public in situations that will require considerable tact,
diplomacy, and judgment. The Special Events Director serves as the liaison to the City Manager, City Council
and the community in all matters concerning the Special Event Department.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Develops, plans and implements department goals and objectives; recommends and administers policies
and procedures and develops the annual budget.
• Defines, administers and evaluates third-party event production contracts for services.
• Prepares and presents periodic written and oral reports to the City Council, City Management, community
groups and the general public.
• Oversees the development, planning, coordination and implementation of all activities and strategies related
to Town-produced events, Town-sponsored events and third-party events held on Town property and other
events as directed.
• Serves as the liaison with individuals or entities desiring to hold special events on Town-owned property.
• Oversees the permit process for these third-party events and works with producers to ensure the events are
produced according to the Ordinance adopted by the City Council and in a way that is congruent with the
Town’s quality standards of producing events.
• Reviews sponsorship proposals submitted by third-party event producers and makes recommendations to
City Management regarding the Town’s proposed investment.
• Develops and implements marketing strategies and initiatives for special events.
• Works with the Town’s sponsorship consultant in the development and implementation of national, regional
and local sponsorship agreements.
• Serves as the media spokesperson for special events.
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Director of Special Events
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of organization, administration, personnel
management and budget preparation, as well as city policies, rules and regulations.
Must be proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of CMS Systems, HTML, Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
Must be organized and detail-oriented with the ability to work on several projects simultaneously,
and effectively manage time and resources to meet multiple project deadlines.
Must be able to work independently without close supervision and as a team member.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and
speak confidently to large groups and the media.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with fellow employees, Town officials,
Town consultants, media, vendors and the general public.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, solicit cooperation and teamwork, to create
innovative approaches, and resolve problems diplomatically.
Ability to assign job tasks and supervise subordinates, consultants and employees from other departments
that are assigned event-related duties.
Safedrivingrecord. Clear criminal background check and clear pre-employment drug screen. Requires a valid
Texas Driver's License.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in marketing or tourism related
field or equivalent combination of education and
related experience. Five years of directly related
supervisory experience in producing large-scale
festivals and special events preferable in a
municipal or non-profit organization.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $103,988.82$129,996.88 and is dependent upon qualifications.
The Town of Addison participates in the Texas
Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) at a 7%
employee contribution rate with a matching rate of
14% contributed by the Town. Insurance benefits
premiums are partially paid by the Town with
several plan options.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to ckite@addisontx.gov. For additional information about
the position, please contact Caitlin Kite at ckite@addisontx.gov.
The Town of Addison is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
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