Event Manager - Gallivan Center

Position Title:

Job Description:

About the Position:

The Gallivan Center is a 3.5-acre urban gathering place in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, welcoming approximately 250,000 visitors annually through a diverse mix of public programming, cultural experiences, private events, recreational activities, and community activations.

The Event Manager plays a central role in shaping the Gallivan Center's identity, public experience, and economic impact. Working closely with facility leadership, this position envisions, develops, produces, promotes, and evaluates events, programs, and activations that bring the space to life, attract residents and visitors, and contributes to downtown vibrancy. From initial concept development through event execution and post-event assessment, the Event Manager translates creative ideas and community opportunities into meaningful experiences that serve the public and advance the facility's operational and financial objectives.

Beyond event production, this position contributes directly to the Gallivan Center's brand, earned revenue, and role in downtown economic development. By developing partnerships and creating opportunities for local artists, musicians, makers, creators, performers, and businesses, the Event Manager helps direct program resources toward local talent and businesses while delivering engaging experiences for the community. Many of these experiences are free and open to the public, supporting accessible cultural programming, community connection, and the effective use of public space.

Marketing, advertising, social media, and brand development are integral to this work, helping build awareness, attract audiences, strengthen partnerships, and support the success of programs, events, rentals, and seasonal offerings.

The ideal candidate combines creativity and strategic thinking with strong organizational, financial, and project management skills and a commitment to creating a vibrant, welcoming, and economically active downtown destination.

About the Team:

The Gallivan Center team includes approximately 12 full-time administrative, maintenance, and operations staff and 25–30 part-time employees that assist with our seasonal operations. Together, the team maintains and activates a dynamic urban plaza, supporting a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for residents, visitors, event participants, and community partners.

As a year-round event and rental venue, the Gallivan Center hosts a diverse range of activities, from public performances and community programming to private events, seasonal ice skating, recreational activities, and cultural activations. The Event Manager works collaboratively across the organization to balance programming, public access, operational requirements, facility use, and revenue opportunities while advancing the Gallivan Center's mission and long-term sustainability.

Work Schedule:

This position typically works Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Given the variable nature of Gallivan Center events and programs, occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work is required. Flexibility in scheduling is encouraged to accommodate event activities and operational needs.

Position Salary Range:

E27 - $74,500/yr. to $87,284/yr. The established market rate for this position is $87,284/yr.

IMPORTANT: Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will close on October 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (MST).

Key Responsibilities:

Event, Program, and Activation Development

• Envisions, develops, plans, organizes, implements, and evaluates events, programs, and public activations at the Gallivan Center, managing initiatives from initial concept and creative development through logistics, execution, and post-event assessment.
• Identifies opportunities to diversify programming, respond to community interests, activate public space, attract new audiences, and strengthen the Gallivan Center's position as a downtown destination.
• Develops engaging experiences that balance free public programming, cultural activities, community needs, private rentals, and revenue-generating events.
• Coordinates event logistics, production requirements, schedules, staffing, vendors, performers, partners, and other resources necessary to deliver successful programs and events.
• Establishes program objectives and evaluates outcomes, including attendance, public engagement, revenue, expenses, participation, and other performance measures, using findings to improve future programming and resource allocation.

Economic Development, Partnerships, and Public Benefit

• Develops and cultivates partnerships with local artists, musicians, makers, creators, performers, businesses, cultural organizations, and community groups to expand programming opportunities and support the local creative economy.
• Identifies and pursues new business, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities, leveraging Gallivan Center facilities, amenities, audience reach, and brand to create mutual value for the facility and its partners.
• Plans and coordinates programs that support downtown economic development, encourage visitation, contribute to downtown vibrancy, and provide meaningful opportunities for public engagement.
• Administers program resources responsibly and in alignment with established budgets, organizational priorities, and public-benefit objectives, balancing creative opportunities, operational requirements, and financial performance.
• Collaborates with City departments, public agencies, convention and travel bureaus, businesses, schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver events and programs that advance shared objectives.

Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Development

• Develops and implements marketing, advertising, promotional, social media, and communications strategies for events, programs, and activations developed and managed by the position.
• Contributes to marketing, advertising, and brand development initiatives that support general Gallivan Center brand awareness, partner-led events, public-facing programs and activations, rentals, the ice rink, and other facility services. Collaborates with internal staff, event partners, outside agencies, and other stakeholders on marketing campaigns, providing input and participating in decisions regarding campaign strategy, creative direction, promotional opportunities, and alignment with the Gallivan Center brand.
• Creates and oversees the development of marketing materials, promotional campaigns, digital content, advertising proofs, newsletters, brochures, event packets, and other communications that strengthen brand recognition and encourage participation.
• Ensures marketing and promotional activities associated with assigned events, programs, and campaigns align with program objectives, audience needs, partnership commitments, revenue opportunities, and the overall Gallivan Center brand.
• Evaluates marketing effectiveness and audience engagement using available performance data to improve outreach, participation, and program visibility.
• Supports public relations, media engagement, presentations, and communications that promote Gallivan Center offerings and reinforce its role as a downtown destination.

Budget, Revenue, and Resource Management

• Assists in the preparation and administration of annual budgets related to events, programs, purchases, revenues, sponsorships, donations, and capital improvements.
• Monitors program budgets, revenues, expenses, sponsorship commitments, and other financial measures; identifies opportunities to improve financial performance and resource utilization.
• Develops programming and partnership opportunities that contribute to earned revenue, strengthen facility utilization, and support the Gallivan Center's financial sustainability.
• Assists in evaluating and adjusting fees, charges, and program-related financial strategies as needed to meet organizational objectives.
• Prepares reports and performance summaries that communicate program results, financial outcomes, participation, and other relevant measures to facility leadership.

Staff Supervision and Event Coordination

• Supervises assigned program and event staff and provides direction, technical assistance, and professional guidance to Gallivan support staff.
• Trains staff on assignments, event procedures, and applicable operational expectations; hires, disciplines, and evaluates hourly and seasonal staff on an event-by-event basis as authorized.
• Coordinates with facility leadership and maintenance and operations personnel to align programming plans with staffing, scheduling, safety, maintenance, facility use, and other operational requirements.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with outside vendors, consultants, contractors, and service providers.
• Assists in developing bids, requests for proposals, scopes of work, and contracts associated with events, programming, marketing, and related services.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field and four (4) years increasingly responsible paid work experience in marketing, advertising and programming. Education and work experience may be substituted one for the other on year-for-year basis.
• Experience in developing marketing plans for new and existing programs and services. 
• Experience with budgeting and record keeping. 
• Advanced personal computer skills using Microsoft Office Professional Suite, Adobe desktop publishing, and Internet software in a networked computer environment.   Experience and understanding of editing, design, and publication production processes.
• Excellent planning, organizing and product management skills.  Proven ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate well with the general public, business and government professionals, supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates.
• Ability to develop and monitor measurable program performance goals, statistically analyze data and report results.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in special event management, program development, event production, or public programming.
• Experience developing partnerships and working with artists, performers, makers, businesses, cultural organizations, or community groups.
• Experience developing and implementing marketing, advertising, social media, or brand campaigns.
• Experience identifying, cultivating, or securing sponsorships and other revenue-generating partnerships.
• Strong networking skills and familiarity with the organizations and individuals that comprise the local programming, arts, culture, and business communities.
• Experience in public speaking, presentations, public relations, or stakeholder engagement.
• Experience with program budgeting, performance measurement, data analysis, and outcome reporting.

Working Conditions:

• This position requires moderate physical activity, including the ability to push, pull, or lift medium weights. Duties may require sitting, standing, crouching, and bending in indoor office environments and outdoors.
• Occasional exposure to challenging workplace conditions, poor ventilation, uneven temperatures, and extreme weather conditions.
• Exposure to stress associated with public interaction, deadlines, event production, physical activity, weather conditions, competing priorities, and revenue generation.
• Must be available to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays and adjust work schedules to accommodate event and program requirements.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law. Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify candidates from City employment.

Position Type:

Full-time

Department:

Community Reinvestment Agency

Full Time/Part Time:

Scheduled Hours: