Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, public- and member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Lincoln Park Zoo seeks an event manager to produce public ticketed events ranging in size from smaller activations such as Haunted History Tours, to major activations like ZooLights. This role has many project management priorities and is focused on logistics, and runs point on budgets, contracts, and other operational elements.
Candidates should expect to work at the zoo at least three days per week, plus any time required for events, possibly including evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or early mornings according to the demands of the job. Work schedule is flexible and based around event schedule.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

The ideal candidate:

• Must have strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong time management focus
• Must have previous project management experience, preferably in consumer events
• Is creative, resourceful, detail-oriented, a quick-learner, an active contributor, and a friendly collaborator with both internal and external partners
• Is comfortable with meeting new people, forming new relationships, and trying new things
• Can easily organize tasks, manage lots of moving pieces, keep meticulous records, and meet deadlines.
• Can exercise sound judgment and respond in emergency situations.
• Can work at the zoo at least three days/week, and is willing to work more days at the office or on-grounds as the job demands.
• Has experience with the Microsoft 365 suite and commonly-used coworking tools like Zoom, Slack, and Google drive.
• Speaks Spanish (helpful but not required).
• Has a working knowledge of City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and Illinois State liquor laws and permit processes (also helpful but not required).

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

No formal requirement. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

2-3 years of experience in event production.

• Ability to remain stationary for 3-5 hours/day, and to move around inside (office and/or warehouse environment) and outside (event production).
• Ability to regularly perform a variety of physical tasks that may include but are not limited to climbing, bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and/or crawling. Reasonable accommodation will be made as needed.
• Physical strength, including ability and willingness to lift and move objects up to 50 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to operate and safely drive electric carts.
• Ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to wear required personal protective equipment.
• No allergies to plants or animals exhibited on zoo grounds.
• Ability to traverse zoo grounds.