Mount Auburn Cemetery
580 Mt. Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Website
Email
Date Posted:
January 17, 2023
Region:
Eastern Massachusetts
Category:
Public Relations/Marketing
Type:
Full-Time
Private Events Manager at Mount Auburn Cemetery
Description:
ORGANIZATION:
Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is
situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in
1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a
National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the
inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century.
As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the
bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an
accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000
plants overall.
POSITION
SUMMARY:
With
oversight of Mount Auburn’s private events program, the Private Events Manager
supports Mount Auburn’s vision as a place that celebrates all seasons of life.
The Manager develops rental packages that accommodate a diverse range of needs
and event types, including but not limited to funeral-related gatherings. The
Manager is responsible for expanding an existing rental program to encourage
greater use of its exceptional landscape and buildings while supporting the
Cemetery’s revenue goals. The Manager ensures that all private events are
seamless in execution and in alignment with Mount Auburn’s brand, mission, and
reputation.The Manager establishes strategic
business partnerships with external vendors, including rental companies,
caterers, florists, and A/V technicians and works collaboratively with all
Cemetery department heads to facilitate the regular use of all Cemetery spaces.
The Manager also collaborates with intra and interdepartmental teams to support
the planning of other Cemetery-sponsored events that celebrate the Cemetery’s
mission and vision while meeting its strategic goals to be more open and
welcoming to all in the broader community.
DUTIES
& RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manages the Cemetery’s facilities
calendars and coordinates the use of all indoor and outdoor spaces for private,
public, and internal events.
- Develops rental packages and marketing
strategies that facilitate the growth of Mount Auburn’s private events program.
- Develops annual budget for facility
rentals and produces routine financial reports on rental activities for
internal and external stakeholders.
- Creates the customer experience journey
and documents the internal workflows that guide all states of the booking and
rental process.
- Trains staff and external vendors on event
rentals policies and procedures.
- Serves as the primary contact with clients
for all non-funeral private event rentals and assists with all stages of the
booking process. Responds to initial inquiries, provides location tours, and
prepares individualized rental packages that meet event goals and ensure the
best use of Mount Auburn’s buildings, landscape, and resources. Prepares rental
quotes, rental agreements, and handles financial transactions to secure
bookings.
- Assists Cemetery Services team through all
stages of the booking process with funeral-related events. Prepares the rental
packages, quotes, and agreements that Cemetery Services staff will present to
clients.
- Serves as a point of contact for external
event vendors including caterers, equipment rental companies, and other
suppliers ensuring event contract specifications are carried out. Provides
oversight and direction to all third-party vendors, ensuring that all provide
the level of service that meets or exceeds Mount Auburn’s standards.
- Serves as point of contact with all
internal staff, communicating clear and complete event details to all teams.
Secures all event staffing support and ensures operational activities are
coordinated around scheduled private events.
- Maintains accurate event timelines and
supervises all set-up, day-of, and break-down activities including but not
limited to deliveries, catering, A/V services, and parking.
- Staffs and/or secures event staffing to
oversee all private events.
- Ensures
that all events meet Mount Auburn’s standards for excellence. Reports safety
concerns, incidents, maintenance needs, and event assessments to appropriate
staff and departments.
- Provides positive and accurate
information and customer service in response to inquiries and concerns.
Actively resolves customer concerns in politely, friendly, and helpfully.
- Supports all teams and departments
with coordination of other Cemetery-sponsored events including public events,
fundraising events, and staff events.
- Cultivates
strong relationships with external vendors to ensure an
elevated level of service with all private events.
- Manages
selection, ordering, and stock of supplies required for private and public
events.
Qualifications:
REQUIREMENTS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Bachelor’s degree or comparable education preferred
- 5 or more years of event management experience
- Strong customer service skills are required
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- Experience with management of teams is a plus
- Must be detail oriented
- Ability to maintain composure and professional outlook when under job-related pressure
- A desire to serve others at a time of emotional distress or need
- Must possess strong computer and typing skills. Specifically, Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and Outlook. Experience with relational databases preferred.
- Budget management experience is required.
- Collaborative working skills and ability to communicate successfully with employees at all levels
- Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks quickly and efficiently
- Must be a self-starter with strong initiative and the ability to work independently
- Must be patient, energetic, creative, and flexible as work demands change
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must be able to operate standard office equipment such as computers and mouse, telephones, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners. Must be able to access file cabinets and interior vaults.
- Must be able to access all areas of the Cemetery, including the Chapels, Greenhouse, Administration Building, and the cemetery grounds including traversing stairs, inclines, declines, and uneven terrain in all weather conditions
- Must be able to operate company vehicles (cars and/or vans).
- Position requires prolonged periods seated and/or standing at a desk.
- Ability to lift 20 lbs. and seat stand for extended periods.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
HOURS OF WORK:
Normally from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Tuesday to Saturday. Must be flexible and able to work evenings and weekends. There will be some remote days.
How To Apply:
Please send a cover letter stating your career goals
and objectives with a current resume, as Microsoft Word documents, and include
“Private Events Manager” in the subject area, to: jobs@mountauburn.org
Or by mail to:
Human Resources
Mount Auburn Cemetery
580 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Applications will be
accepted until the position is filled. No telephone calls please.
Mount
Auburn Cemetery is an equal opportunity employer.
Apply by:
March 09, 2023
Salary:
$62,000 - $70,000 / Per year
About this Organization: Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near
Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people
each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the
first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement
during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn
inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a
landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn
features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.