Events and Program Manager

About the Role

Are you passionate about the vibrant energy of downtown Madison? Madison Central Business Improvement District (BID) is looking for a dynamic, community-minded Events and Program Manager to be the heartbeat of our city’s most iconic spaces. From the bustling Madison Night Market to the midday music of Lunch Time Live!, you will be responsible for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and thriving environment in the State Street, Capitol Square, and King Street areas. This is more than just an event planning role; it is a community-building mission that helps drive the local small business ecosystem. You will serve as a key liaison between small business owners, city officials, and local artists to ensure that downtown Madison remains a premier destination for residents and visitors to shop, dine and play local. If you are a creative problem-solver who loves being “on the ground” where the action is, we want to meet you!

Status: Full-Time, Exempt, reports to Executive Director

(The responsibilities of this position call primarily for in-person presence in the downtown community and at BID office, including occasional weekends and evenings for event staffing)

Estimated Start Date: March 1, 2026

Compensation Range: $50,000-$55,000 commensurate with experience

Benefits: comprehensive package including 401(K), health, dental, vision, transit/parking provided, generous PTO package and more

Key Responsibilities:

 Event Planning & Management

• End-to-End Execution: Lead the strategy, booking, and logistical management for a year-round calendar of events, including the Madison Night Market, holiday celebrations, and vendor markets.
• On-Site Operations: Direct on-site event setup and teardown, managing hourly staff, contractors, and volunteers to ensure a safe and seamless experience for the public.
• Logistics & Compliance: Navigate municipal requirements by securing permits, executing City contracts, and ensuring all programming stays within budget and compliant with BID standards.
• Program Innovation: Identify new opportunities for public space activation, from craft demos and live performances to unique shopping and dining promotions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Community Building

• Business Advocacy: Maintain a consistent, visible presence in the district, visiting local business owners to share resources and gather input on downtown initiatives.
• Partnership Coordination: Act as a central point of contact for the City of Madison, arts organizations, and community groups to align goals and maximize the impact of downtown programming.
• Committee Leadership: Manage the Events and Marketing Committee for the Board of Directors, providing updates and gathering strategic guidance.

 Marketing & Communications

• Digital Storytelling: Manage the “voice of downtown” across multiple social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) to promote BID events and local businesses.
• Content Creation: Use Canva and photography/videography skills to produce high-quality visual content for social media, the BID website, and weekly/monthly newsletters.
• Public Relations: Work alongside the Executive Director to identify sponsorship opportunities and promote downtown Madison as a welcoming, inclusive destination for everyone.

Qualifications:

Experience & Education

• Professional Experience: 3–5 years of experience in event management, program coordination, community organizing, or a related field (e.g., hospitality, non-profit management, or public relations).
• Project Leadership: Proven track record of managing large-scale public events from conception to execution, including budgeting and vendor management.
• Local Government Knowledge: Familiarity with city permitting processes, public space usage, or working within a Business Improvement District (BID) or municipal framework is highly preferred.

Technical & Marketing Skills

• Social Media Proficiency: Hands-on experience managing professional accounts across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, including content scheduling and community engagement.
• Graphic Design & Content Creation: Proficiency with Canva (or Adobe Creative Suite) for creating promotional materials; basic photography and videography skills for live event coverage.
• Digital Tools: Experience with website CMS updates (e.g., WordPress or Squarespace) and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp or Constant Contact) for newsletter distribution.
• Administrative Rigor: Strong ability to manage contracts, insurance requirements, and detailed reporting for the City of Madison and Board of Directors.

Interpersonal & Community Strengths

• Relationship Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders, from small business owners and artists to city officials and donors.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfortable leading committee meetings and speaking on behalf of the BID.
• Inclusion Mindset: A commitment to the BID’s mission of creating a “welcoming environment for all,” ensuring events are accessible and inclusive to the entire Madison community.

 Physical & Schedule Requirements

• Flexibility: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends to support signature events (e.g., Night Markets or holiday celebrations).
• On-Site Presence: This is primarily an in-person role; the candidate must be able to work from the downtown office and be mobile throughout the district.
• Environment: Ability to work in various conditions, including an office setting and outdoors in all weather conditions for on-site event management.