Special Events Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Director of Special Events is responsible for shaping and executing the New Museum’s special event strategy (target currently $1.6M) and its growth, driving rental revenue and identifying new opportunities for client development and event sponsorship, while maintaining strategic oversight of operational and administrative workflow.

This role serves as a strategic sales leader, operational executive, and senior-level event producer, executing Special Events that advance the Museum’s financial and organizational goals. The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative, good-humored, and solutions-oriented professional who enjoys building relationships, bringing ideas to life, and creating exceptional experiences that reflect the Museum’s mission and values.

The successful candidate will regularly work evenings, weekends, and early mornings to support setups, load-ins, events, and strikes. A non-traditional schedule is a standard expectation of this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Event Rentals

Lead the Museum’s event rental business, achieving annual rental targets (currently $1.6M for FY27). Develop strategic plans to achieve event rental revenue goals and promoting revenue growth.
Manage all aspects of the event rental process, from lead generation and contract negotiation through event execution and follow-up.
Maintain rental policies, procedures, contracts, and operational standards.
Track rental revenue and expenses, and provide weekly financial reporting to Vice President of Advancement; develop annual event rental expense budget
Assess and identify new leads and event rental opportunities, developing a robust roster of new and returning clients
Ensure timely execution of communications to rental clients and leads
Ensure rental programs align with Museum priorities, safety requirements, and visitor experience standards
With the Department of External Affairs, develop outreach strategies, advertising campaigns, marketing materials, sales collateral—and identify opportunities for editorial placements, industry recognition, and media to highlight the Museum’s event spaces
Identify emerging trends, technologies, partnerships, and opportunities within the cultural, nonprofit, hospitality, and corporate sectors that can benefit the Museum.
Cultivate relationships with corporate clients, event planners, nonprofit organizations, production companies, and community partners to support event rentals

Special Events

Lead the production and execution of a minimum of 50 annual Special Events primarily onsite, in partnership with Senior Leadership, Development, Capital Campaign, and Director’s Office. Events include, among others:
Exhibition Openings: previews, receptions, and dinners
Trustee meetings and events
Annual Spring Gala and other fundraising events
Council and Membership events
Institutional celebrations and special initiatives
Staff meetings and celebrations
Capital Campaign events
Manage Special Event production schedules, vendors, staffing, logistics, and onsite execution
Partner closely with colleagues across departments (Security, Education and Public Engagement, Department of External Affairs, Development, Visitor Experience, and Operations) to execute Special Events that advance programmatic and financial goals.
Secure strategic brand partnerships to support Special Event guest hospitality

Staff Management & Operations

Oversight and management of Special Events Coordinator
Leadership of weekly cross-department operations meeting.
Oversee event calendars, scheduling systems, production documents, and institutional event communications.
Oversee the management and reporting of event-related data, client records, revenue tracking, and rental event sales/performance metrics.
Oversee Special Event and rental event software, advancing system use and training

QUALIFICATIONS

12+ years of experience in event sales/venue rentals, event production, or hospitality-related fields, demonstrating success in planning, production, and management
Outstanding organizational, communication, project management, and exceptional client relationship skills
Experience preparing and managing budgets and financial reports
Ability to work independently on several events simultaneously
Demonstrated success in marketing and sales
Excellent problem-solving, demonstrated success in prioritizing and addressing issues quickly and efficiently
Experience managing staff required, familiarity with a unionized environment preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Tripleseat or comparable event management software required
Experience with Raiser's Edge, ACME, Zkipster, Asana, or comparable platforms preferred 
Knowledge of museum environments preferred; knowledge of contemporary art a plus.
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
Availability to work a regular schedule of evenings, weekends, and early mornings