Job title:
Event Director
Description:
MerGeo is seeking a member of the active outdoors sports community to direct its events.
An ideal candidate would be a detail-oriented organizer, a strong team leader, and an avid fan of outdoor recreation who enjoys being a calm, friendly and welcoming face to members of our outdoor recreation community.
Company Overview:
MerGeo is a Seattle-based company that produces private and public events that promote exploration of the outdoors, whether wooded or urban, from four kilometer trail runs to 24-hour navigation races. We love providing opportunities for beginners to engage with the outdoors, while also creating opportunities for seasoned outdoors people and top athletes to challenge themselves.
The company produces three series of events: Northwest Trail Runs, Northwest Nav Races, and Street Scramble. In a typical year, we produce 40-50 events, including about 35 trail runs, and most of our work centers around these events. Several staff and scores of volunteers play a vital role in producing the events.
The Event Director’s main responsibilities include:
- Leading and participating in the on-schedule production of events on event-day, from unloading and set-up of equipment to pack-up, including managing staff and assisting the Volunteer Coordinator & Assistant Event Director in managing volunteers
- Transport equipment to and from event venues, including by driving the company truck and equipment trailer
- Buy refreshments, swag, awards, prizes, and other supplies for events and event series
- Prepare aid station bins for events with remote aid stations
- Act as emcee at events, delivering pre-event briefings, making announcements, and presenting awards and raffle prizes
- Print check-in lists, registration forms, signage, and maps for events
- Communicate bib numbers available for assignment to the Data Manager
- Deposit cash and checks from events, and withdraw cash for event-day expenses
- Pay event contractors
- Collect receipts and reimburse expenses incurred by staff or volunteers, sharing information and duties with the Operations Director
- Communicate with customers to answer event questions, handle registration changes or credits, and record registration changes or refund requests
- Participate in an advisory role in business decisions, including creating our event schedule, and how we operate and present our events
Report to:
This position reports to and works closely with the company Owner and also works closely with other staff.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Interpersonal skills; able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to maintain a good working relationship with a diversity of people both inside and outside the company, while contributing to a friendly and stress-reducing environment
- Physical skills; able to do medium-to-heavy physical work outdoors in all weather, including lifting and carrying event supplies, setting up canopies and folding tables, etc.
- Prioritization skills; able to prioritize and direct work to keep events running on schedule and ensure safety and quality for participants, staff, and volunteers
- Management skills; able to track one’s own work as well as delegate to and manage work of staff and volunteers
- Planning skills; able to plan, track and execute tasks on timelines ranging from minutes to months
- Computer proficiency, including Excel or a similar spreadsheet application, and comfort working with online communication, documentation, and management tools
- Ability and comfort towing a trailer with a truck, including turning and backing up, or willingness to learn
- Flexibility; able and willing to learn new skills and take on task areas as needed for the success of the company
Nice-to-Have Skills:
- Skills that overlap with other company jobs/tasks, including marketing, project management, map and compass literacy, visual/spatial skills, comfort working alone outdoors, etc.
Location:
The office is in Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA. Events primarily take place all over the greater Puget Sound area, with some events across Washington State. The Event Director is expected to be at most events, but coverage for absences can be planned for with adequate lead time. The Event Director may work primarily from home, however event-day and some event-week work is necessarily onsite or out-of-the home/office. Hours are often flexible and are dependent on the event schedule.
Employment and Compensation:
W-2 employee, 5-40 hours per week (10-30 typical), $22/hour starting base pay with discretionary bonuses and pay raises dependent upon personal and company performance. Opportunity to increase hours and responsibilities for a very strong performer.
To apply:
Send your resume to Eric Bone at eric@mergeo.com
In the body of your e-mail, please share why this role interests or excites you.
The position will be open until filled.
Thank you!