Chicago Botanic Garden

At The Garden — Employment

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Event Host – FILLED

 

PURPOSE: Act as the on-site client contact during private and corporate events at the Chicago Botanic Garden and help ensure that first-class customer service is delivered on each occasion. Assistance with office work includes but is not limited to answering phones, replying to e-mail requests, and preparing materials for upcoming events.

Full-time, seasonal work from June-September; hourly compensation

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Serve as the main Chicago Botanic Garden contact during each event and to oversee the actions of additional Garden staff – custodial, security, maintenance, etc.
  2. Supervise event from set-up to tear-down.
  3. Ensure all guests, caterer and vendors adheres to Garden policies.
  4. Attend weekly meeting with Private & Corporate Events personnel, and catering staff, to review upcoming event schedule and receive written instructions.
  5. Attend client walk-through and/or rehearsal.
  6. Provide excellent customer service.
  7. Answer phones and e-mail requests.
  8. Create signage and other materials for events.
  9. Work with vendors to ensure they have all required facility information.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. B.S. or B.A. and/or minimum of 1-3 years previous experience working in the area of events planning.
  2. Ability to work evenings and weekends.
  3. Superior and proven customer service skills.
  4. Ability to work on a team and be the lead in handling challenging situations during an event.
  5. Ability to remain professional, calm under pressure, and adaptable to a variety of possibly challenging situations.
  6. Superior organizational and analytical abilities.
  7. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
  8. The position is active and includes but is not limited to lifting, bending, standing, and walking throughout the event.

DEPARTMENT: Private & Corporate Events

REPORTS TO: Manager, Private & Corporate Events

SUPERVISES: Onsite Garden event staff

NOTES:

  1. Full-time Private & Corporate Event staff (manager or coordinator) will handle/staff high-profile events or particularly challenging clients.
  2. Full-time staff will handle all pre-event operations and then hand off the responsibilities to the event host the day/evening of the event.
  3. Clients will be made aware from the very beginning that their actual event will be staffed by the event host rather than full-time Private & Corporate Event staff.