Title: Manager of Public Programs Date Posted: July 1, 2023
Location: Gaylord Building Historic Site, 200 W. 8th St., Lockport, IL 60441
Supervisor: Pam Owens, Executive Director, powens@gaylordbuilding.org

JOB SUMMARY
The primary goal of the Gaylord Building Historic Site’s Manager of Public Programs is to ensure that the Gaylord Building serves the public with unique, interactive interpretive experiences that inform and entertain visitors about history, preservation, contemporary issues, enhance community life, and contribute to the revitalization of the area.

To achieve this goal, the Manager of Public Programs is primarily responsible for managing the design, implementation, and evaluation of interpretive programs, including the history of the Gaylord Building, special programs, and exhibits. The Manager of Public Programs will manage the development and implementation of program marketing and public relations initiatives.

DUTIES
The Manager of Public Programs will be accountable for strategic efforts and their execution including, but not limited to:
• Collaborate with Executive Director, board, and site staff to develop and implement event and activity plans and strategies that effectively promote the site while mindfully working within the annual budget.
• Provide program development and logistics coordination for special events and programs including visitor and guest inquiries, data entry, ticketing, coordination and tracking of in-kind and other donations.
• Expand strategic partnerships with nonprofits, agencies, and civic groups within the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area to preserve, enhance, and interpret the diverse cultural, historical, natural, recreational, and economic resources of the Corridor.
• Work in tandem with Executive Director to secure and coordinate event and exhibit sponsorships.
• Adhere to planning and deliverables timelines for event schedules, promotional and community engagement outreach.
• Maintain and regularly update the Gaylord Building website. Coordinate social media content development and posting.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files for events, programs, and activities.
• Collect, analyze, and report engagement data.
• Help to achieve Gaylord Building strategic goals, including engaging more diverse communities and constituents.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum 3 years of professional level experience, including experience executing complex tasks that may require independent judgment. Related experience supporting events management preferred, experience in a museum or other non-profit setting a plus.
• Basic analytical and critical thinking skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
• Intermediate project-management skills, including project budgeting and planning. Ability to achieve results with moderate supervision.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to continually develop skills related to use of rapidly changing technology and communications best practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate the site’s mission to a wide range of audiences; experience helping to market to and engage culturally diverse audiences a plus.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, presentation software, and database management experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of experience) required.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Reliable transportation and mandatory ability to work weekends during site special events.
• Minimum physical requirements include but are not limited to: Ability to stand for periods of up to 30 minutes; climb stairs; lift and carry loads of up to 20 pounds on a frequent basis and occasionally more.

PAY & BENEFITS
Salary Range: $48,000 – $60,000
This is a full-time position, eligible for full benefits, including vacation, plus sick time and holidays.

ABOUT THE GAYLORD BUILDING
The Gaylord Building, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has been a central part of Lockport and a landmark along the Illinois & Michigan Canal for 170 years. Situated along the northern edge of the Public Landing, the Gaylord Building reflects the canal’s early importance to Illinois. Its many tenants and uses exemplify Lockport’s commercial significance throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. For over forty years, since its rehabilitation in the 1980s, the structure’s pivotal role reaches across America, as a national example of adaptive reuse that is redefining how historic structures can be saved and interpreted in the United States. Today, the Gaylord Building is a national example of adaptive reuse serving as a gateway to the nation’s first heritage corridor, the I&M Canal National Heritage Area. Guests can explore the history of the region, enjoy a curated collection of local, national, and international art in Gallery Seven, followed by upscale casual dining in the Public Landing Restaurant or on the Gaylord Building’s patio.

The Gaylord Building Historic Site is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that conserves the Gaylord Building for current and future generations and provides engaging experiences that inform and entertain a diverse audience about history, preservation, and contemporary life while contributing to the revitalization of the area.